Series 5 was the only series that I truly loved. Most of the acts in the final were amazing and whoever got voted out each week, it was really a case "what a shame they went" rather than "they deserved to go". I felt the right person won in the end and she really fought for that winners crown from day one. I felt like all the finalists were really confident and they came out there each week and really wanted it. These days they come out and perform and look so nervous as if they've never done a performance in their lives. In series 5 many of the acts had been working for a number of years trying to make it...they were very experienced and they all wanted it so badly. Alexandra, Ruth, Diana, Laura, Austin, JLS., Rachel. All really good and really strong
Series 5 - What Did You Love About It?
Diana Vickers is my favourite X Factor contestant of all time. I was really gutted that she fell out of favour on her week off because I genuinely believe she could have won it.
The final 12 were just so strong. Austin, Laura, Ruth, JLS, Diana and Alexandra were all class acts. The show didn't feel contrived, it felt like a genuine competition. It's just a shame that the odious little cretin Eoghan Quigg did so well.
Alexandra - her attitude was great
Rachel - Utterly screwed over from the word go, but she did well to get to where she did.
JLS- Excellent group, all great singers, good attitude, personalities.
Laura White - Shame about what happened to her, great voice though
It was a very good year, very diverse and we had spanish lady Ruth, the judges all worked well together the song choices were a bit of a let down. We had some brilliant duets to.
It was one of my favourite years.
Rachel - Utterly screwed over from the word go, but she did well to get to where she did.
JLS- Excellent group, all great singers, good attitude, personalities.
Laura White - Shame about what happened to her, great voice though
It was a very good year, very diverse and we had spanish lady Ruth, the judges all worked well together the song choices were a bit of a let down. We had some brilliant duets to.
It was one of my favourite years.
Whenever I see Eoghan Quinns name all I can see is Harry Hill's impression of him.
Ah, winter 2008, happy times. JLS were robbed but it made no difference to their great career.
Ah, winter 2008, happy times. JLS were robbed but it made no difference to their great career.
While I think 2011 has possibly surpassed it as my favourite series, Series 5 was the series that made me hooked on X Factor. As already mentioned, it didn't seem so manipulated, a fantastic line-up (Diana, Ruth, Rachel, Laura, Alexandra, JLS, Austin) and a winner who (as the OP has said) fought for her title. I was backing Alexandra from her room audition and once the live shows began I thought she won't win against Diana and Laura since people were already calling her a "Leona mk 2" etc (which is not at all accurate). I'm glad that her star potential was recognised half way through the lives. Also, the Beyonce/Alex duet is still one of the best moments in XF history and by far the best duet. It was also the series where there started to be huge performers - Britney, Beyonce, Leona when she did 'Run' etc. I think 2008 was the liveliest I'd seen this forum.
2008 - 2011 were the peak years and I love each year for different reasons but 2010 remains my favourite, closely followed by 2008.
Worth noting that JLS sparked the boyband revival. They were smashing it until 1D came along.
Think they would of won if they duetted with Rihanna rather than Westlife!
Think they would of won if they duetted with Rihanna rather than Westlife!
Originally Posted by Willz:
“Worth noting that JLS sparked the boyband revival. They were smashing it until 1D came along.
Think they would of won if they duetted with Rihanna rather than Westlife!”
“Worth noting that JLS sparked the boyband revival. They were smashing it until 1D came along.
Think they would of won if they duetted with Rihanna rather than Westlife!”
I agree with this. They deserve huge credit for the whole boyband revival.
JLS couldve been the british answer to boys 11 men but their material wasnt as good as I expected still love them though. Its a shame they split up.
Originally Posted by Willz:
“Worth noting that JLS sparked the boyband revival. They were smashing it until 1D came along.
Think they would of won if they duetted with Rihanna rather than Westlife!”
“Worth noting that JLS sparked the boyband revival. They were smashing it until 1D came along.
Think they would of won if they duetted with Rihanna rather than Westlife!”
I always wonder how close it could have been had she not pulled out.
I loved JLS in the show but I'm a bit gutted that they sold out their R&B roots for quick fame and churned out material beneath their talent. Their first audition is still my favourite ever. Though I can't blame them for doing what they did really as they got to achieve their dream
Rachel Hylton's version of Feeling Good was excellent. Been done to death now though but at the time I was very impressed. Also Ruth and Purple Rain.
Originally Posted by Soppyfan:
“2008 could've been the best Series ever...if Louis hadn't played dirty tactics!”
“2008 could've been the best Series ever...if Louis hadn't played dirty tactics!”
What dirty tactics?
Originally Posted by 0...0:
“Rachel Hylton's version of Feeling Good was excellent. Been done to death now though but at the time I was very impressed. Also Ruth and Purple Rain.”
“Rachel Hylton's version of Feeling Good was excellent. Been done to death now though but at the time I was very impressed. Also Ruth and Purple Rain.”
The 2008 series was the start of now overplayed songs being performed - 'Feeling Good', 'Purple Rain', 'And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going', 'Listen' - any more?
Originally Posted by Stube:
“What dirty tactics?”
“What dirty tactics?”
Sending home Austin and Laura who were threats to his group, JLS.
Originally Posted by Stube:
“What dirty tactics?
The 2008 series was the start of now overplayed songs being performed - 'Feeling Good', 'Purple Rain', 'And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going', 'Listen' - any more?”
“What dirty tactics?
The 2008 series was the start of now overplayed songs being performed - 'Feeling Good', 'Purple Rain', 'And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going', 'Listen' - any more?”
Yes, really interesting then, utterly boring now!
Totally agree about X Factor 2008. Easily the best series even though the boys category was piss weak. Remove the 3 boys and there were 9 decent acts.
I think my faves from that series are the same as everyone else. Even I preferred Daniel over Scott, Austin and Eggnog. Austin was the best of the boys group but he seriously grated on me with his constant tears. Was there ever a week when Austin DIDN'T cry?
It was also the year that, to this day, still has my all time favourite X Factor moment. That being Alexandra & Beyonce. Such a powerhouse performance and the fact Alexandra was in complete awe throughout it made their performance all the more brilliant.
I think my faves from that series are the same as everyone else. Even I preferred Daniel over Scott, Austin and Eggnog. Austin was the best of the boys group but he seriously grated on me with his constant tears. Was there ever a week when Austin DIDN'T cry?
It was also the year that, to this day, still has my all time favourite X Factor moment. That being Alexandra & Beyonce. Such a powerhouse performance and the fact Alexandra was in complete awe throughout it made their performance all the more brilliant.
Originally Posted by Soppyfan:
“Sending home Austin and Laura who were threats to his group, JLS.”
“Sending home Austin and Laura who were threats to his group, JLS.”
Austin was a .....I won't continue, Laura was great, but she had the same problem that Paul this series...
So many great things about Series 5:
- Most of the contestants were talented and deserved to make the live shows.
- All of the final 5 (except Eoghan) would have been worthy winners.
- The judges seemed to give fair comments that didn't seem too contrived or scripted.
- There was genuine controversy like when Laura White went out rather than it being orchestrated to get ratings or media coverage.
- The sing-offs actually seemed to matter.
I would say though that I was less cynical about the show back then, which is probably why I enjoyed it so much.
- Most of the contestants were talented and deserved to make the live shows.
- All of the final 5 (except Eoghan) would have been worthy winners.
- The judges seemed to give fair comments that didn't seem too contrived or scripted.
- There was genuine controversy like when Laura White went out rather than it being orchestrated to get ratings or media coverage.
- The sing-offs actually seemed to matter.
I would say though that I was less cynical about the show back then, which is probably why I enjoyed it so much.
