Yeah, well, it could be to get rid of someone that would otherwise just miss the bottom 2. But it also prevents the situation when two of their favorites with commercial prospects somehow end up in the bottom of the vote. With another act added to the bottom group, now they can give the shocked public a chance to save one of those favorites from the bottom. And then the judges save the other favorite in the sing off. The act that was actually third in the main vote gets sent home.

Also, with a bigger bottom group it gives the viewers more of an idea who is not getting the votes. So it's not all bad.

Its interesting that Saara was winning on Saturday night

....And you could see how false the *love-in* between Saara and her was at the beginning of the Xtra Factor - in the interview with Rylan on stage.

Saara is a bloody good actress!! She had been primed to say all the "lovely things" about Mrs O when it was abundantly clear, she'd had so little input into Saara's whole time. And Sharon...... Sharon frankly didn't want to be there, at all.
Contractual obligation fulfilled, time to jet back to LA with the appearance cheque. Disgraceful.

I am inclined to agree with you on this, even though I have always liked Sharon.

I thought it was pretty bad that she could not even remain in Europe for the final week of the show to attend at Saara's homecoming. It was obvious from the outset that she had little involvement with Saara. The fact that she couldn't remember her name for the first few weeks spoke volumes about the level of interaction they had.

When you contrast that with the way she was with Sam Bailey in 2013, there was a marked difference. They clearly had a close relationship and Sharon was incredibly supportive of Sam.

Whilst Sharon was saying all the right things during the main show, she really didn't seem particularly interested in Saara from the moment it ended and the Xtra factor started. I really don't think Sharon was bothered whether it was Matt or Saara who won. On the other hand, Louis Walsh looked gutted when the result was announced!

If anything, Sharon was likely more relieved that Matt won as it saved her having to go through the motions of being really excited over a Saara victory

Simon and Louis were much more passionate about Saara than Sharon, who couldn't care less about her and was fully on the Honey G train. One got the impression Nicole would do anything to get a Matt win, while Sharon would do anything to avoid having to do any work.

Saara definitely needs to be signed by Simco or another label has to strike while the iron is hot. The stats reveal how the public has warmed to her.

Erm just because it same percentage does not mean same votes Emily was ahead even if only by a few hundred votes.

for me I don't think it was fair they were allowed another 5 free votes also matt singing too times in a row last night clearly favouring him to win.

Shame it wasn't a one night show - Saara had the win in the bag Saturday night but now you can see why she was "encouraged" to sing god awful songs on Sunday night!

Well, everyone got another five free votes and as for singing twice in a row? How far apart were the two performances? And it did give Saara the final performance before the vote.

Shocked by Gifty doing so badly.
Especially in week 3 where I think she gave the performance of the night!

Article and comments Sofa Bet:

http://sofabet.com/2016/12/12/x-fact...dental-winner/

Me too- I suppose people just couldn't warm to her overall.

I liked her on the show (not so much thereafter...)

very interesting, the producers wanted Matt to win, given that Saara was topping the vote in weeks 8,9 and 10 part 1 maybe they were scared they wouldn't get their own way and golden boy to win and that's why they gave her a rubbish song so she didn't stand a chnace

Gifty would have been gutted to miss out on the tour, but even more if she reads these as in the main results and the ap vote lifeline 4 of D had the least number of votes (yet they are doing the tour).

Between weeks 7 and 9, Matt lost a lot of momentum and at the same time support was really growing for saara. I also am convinced Simon and Louis wanted " the Finn to win"!

So for her to lose it right at the end is a real shame...

Am I just seeing something I want to see, or ..is there a genuine lot of love for saara out there that will translate into real success for her ? I mean, more than most recent runners up, e.g. Nicholas , Marcus Collins or reggie and bollie ?