As far as I can recall Matt hasn't had the big end spot yet, as that seems to have been mainly reserved for Honey G for some inexplicable reason.

Don't the producers think he's good enough, or are they trying to push someone else? Traditionally one of the bookies' two favourites closes the show, but he's been the favourite all the way through and hasn't had the opportunity yet. So, surely it's his turn to go last during the semi-final?

With the vote being open from the start of the show it probably isn't that beneficial going last. There is no doubt that they want him to win.

That's a good point; I think it changed this year didn't it? Before, I guess it was an advantage to have performed closest to when the phone lines opened so that you were fresh in the mind of the public etc.

I would say at this point anyone who would vote have their favourite to win by now and I doubt any performance will change someone's mind at this stage

I do , I vote each week by my favourite of the night . If people vote for the same act each week regardless of performance then I don't see how they are any different to the 1D Tweenies many on here used to criticise

It's all sewn up by this stage. Fan bases are well and truly established and Matt has it in the bag. All the standing ovations, OTT judges comments and generous amounts of VT have done the job.
Floating voters who only decide after seeing all performances are few and far between.

One of the problems with this forum is that conspiracy theories have taken over; they are the norm and if you disagree with any of the manipulation/sabotage theories then you are naive and/or blind.

So when the 'chosen one' (yawn) fails to follow all the usual signs of favouritism, people are scratching their heads as to why the route they perceive should be being taken strays from the imagined path.

And here we have it - the obvious answer! It's not necessary now for him to have the all important pimp slot - he doesn't need it now. His fanbase is established.

But he hasn't had it all series.

Best get scratching those heads again.

I think that he'll get it this week coming with much better song choices for himself.

I just think the show is being careful with him because they got accused of favouring Louisa so much last year and "forced" her to the victory post, and I don't think that they want the same thing to hurt Matt when he wins.

I think since he's gone early the last couple of weeks he should be going late this week IMO

Emily is long overdue an early slot in the running order.

Thats a fair point. Has Emily ever opened the show?

No. she has always been favoured with a good performance slot and has closed the show twice if memory serves.

Emily performed 2nd in Week 2 but every other week has always been in the last 3 to perform.

In fairness to the producers (and btw to whoever talked about conspiracy theories above this thread is about fairness to the contestants more than that), I'm guessing Emily hasn't performed first because quite frankly she's too dull to kick a show off, and it's probably a real concern of the Top Bods that people may switch over given the recent low viewing figures posted. I'm not just being nasty there, it's a fact: she slows down already slow songs.

That's what I think too.

She really does, doesn't she? Even the ballads are sung slower than the original. Why is this?

Matt's had one standing ovation from all 4 judges, less compared to everyone else!!

I agree with you but it was the producers who decided to put Emily through even though she's arguably vocally not strong enough for the lives. They have created a rod for their own backs by sacrificing the best singers at JH. Every one of the twelve acts to reach the lives should be capable of opening the show, especially when you consider the volume of people who audition. The producers deliberately put through a bunch of mediocre singers to help them get the result they wanted. I'm sorry if people think that's a conspiracy theory but I firmly believe this to be the case.