... in no particular order

Brenda
Youre well on the way to being in the top 2 or 3. Only thing I didn’t like last week was on Xtra Factor when you had the argument with Chenai and you came over as being very patronising. Chenai pointed this out and I have to agree….."darling"!. I also think that you could have been a bit more gracious and allowed the comment to pass. You probably suspected that Chenai would be out before you, she's a young kid and she said something defensive on the spur of the moment. I would have thought more of you for keeping your trap shut.
Very very ambitious, the physical transformation, weight loss etc would suggest a single mindedness to win which is a bit scary. As for the performances, you’ve grown on me massively… great fun to watch and listen to.

Journey South
Stop taking it so seriously boys 'cos if you carry on like this, when you get booted out you're going to need counselling or something.
Far too worthy for your own good.
I cant help thinking of the "Proclaimers" every time I hear you. The "Ten years in the clubs" which everyone keeps mentioning is quite plain to see. And not in a good way. Very old fashioned.

Nicholas
Stand up straight for a start off, and try a different facial expression to the glassy stare we usually get. It might be very 'street' to stoop and swing your arms like a gorilla but singing a Jackson 5 song isn't 'street' so make your mind up (or rather, get Louis to make your mind up for you) what you're trying to be and who you're trying to appeal to.
Then take some extra singing lessons because on Saturday you were embarrassing.

Maria
Watch you back. Brenda will have you out on your ass as fast as you can say "hair straighteners".
Accomplished - could win.


The Conway Sisters
Your appearance on Xtra Factor before the results show on Saturday said it all. The three of you (the blonde was mysteriously missing… probably crying in the bogs) sat there with faces likes smacked arses throughout the entire interview. Yes I know you were upset at the comments but your on telly to entertain people, not take the huff just because everyone doesn’t adore you.
Ask for a new stylist. You've been wearing what appear to be the same clothes every week now.
And enjoy it while you can because your mentor is either hell bent on getting rid of you, or is cleverly manipulating the public to keep you in by sympathy voting. Summer season in Blackpool beckons.

Shayne
Up until Saturday I think you were getting a bit complacent because everyone was loving you. The first couple of weeks were great, highlight so far has been the Bedingfield track but suspect you may be a one trick pony? You can rely on looks up to a point but in I have two words to say to you…
Gareth Gates
Hopefully Saturday had you bricking it and youre going to smarten up the act (literally) now.


Andy
Undeniably a good singer. Cant see you not being able to make a living out of singing after this whether you win or not. The problem is… I just don’t care. If I want to hear a Sinatra/King Cole/Williams track done well then I'll go buy a Sinatra/King Cole/Williams album. Why should I buy yours?
There's no denying your proficiency but there's no denying your blandness either.
No sparkle.
Steve Brookstein?


Chico
Well done mate. You'll make a packet out of this if your clever. Milk it for all you can and you'll never have to strip again. This time next year.. "Chico who?"

Winner... based on performances on saturday..Brenda or Maria

Great post BB.

Oooh, my turn!!!

Brenda - you're doing great, but your next step might be to make sure you don't fall into a rut. Disco / soul diva is all very well, but you need a bit more diversity if you're gonna last the distance.

Maria - personally I hated your performance this week, but then I hate that song, so it's probably nothing personal. It was great to see you try soemthing different (Brenda, take note), for me it failed, but the judges and public seemed to love it so what do I know? Don't slip up, the competition's too hot.

Andy - great, solid performance again, but be careful because you're slowly turning into mozzarella.

Chico - keep on enjoying it cos it probably won't last. If you really want to make a go of this competition, do a ballad and prove you can sing.

Shayne - buck your ideas up. The Bedingfield number was outstanding, but you've now had two average weeks and it's time to prove your worth again.

Nicholas - may this week be a lesson to you (and Louis). You've got a great voice, but you're missing a niche. The image isn't matching the songs. You either need to be soul / disco / pop, or urban. This combination is not working.

Conway Sisters - bloody loved you this week. Great song for getting the housewives vote. Don't do it again though. Time to diversify - you either need to show your fun side (if there is one) and do an upbeat number, or get a bit rootsy (don't, I repeat DON'T do a Corrs track!!!)

Journey South - excellent improvement. It wasn't a risky choice of song at all - you've been singing acoustically for 10 years, why would you not be able to do it now? However, brother with guitar has the much weaker voice and it shows - play to your strengths. And steer clear of the camembert!!!

Burly, have to agree with most of what you said.

I thought the Journey South boys sang wonderfully and are really good but are missing sparkle. The Conway Sisters really, really need a new stylist (and a bit of exercise wouldn't go amiss for a start, in one or two cases). At least ditch the bloody awful boots, girls.

I asked this on a another post but no one answered. What was the argument btw Brenda and Chenai on Xtra Factor last week??

Excellent post Absolutely spot on Agree with everything you say, except.... the Andy bit. I agree with you on not caring about him but I am unsure as to whether he can be successful after. I can't see where his target audience lies?!?

I'm not sure about a successful recording career, but I imagine he will have success playing larger clubs and should be able to sustain a living from it.

Yes you are right of course. I was referring to being a successful recording artist, but I am sure he will be in demand at nightclubs over the next few years or so. I can even see him being in shows, so in that way you are right he could make a living out of it.

Saying all that though - if he was given a great original song that suited his voice he would probably sell a few records - the thing is as well is that he doesn't seem to have the fanciability factor with the ladies - and rightly or wrongly this does help sell records / tickets to one degree or another..

A larger club is one that has a proper Bingo machine as opposed to pulling the balls out of a Netto carrier bag.

to cut a long story short, Chenai, Brenda & Maria were watching saturdays show and when Simon said that B and M were better then C, C said "yeah but theyre fifteen years older".

B seemed particularly narked. Maria jumped on bandwagon and ended up ganging up on C saying it 'wasnt fair to bring age into it" blah blah.

B... over sensistive!
M - jumped on bandwagon

It got well out of hand and the two older ones should have acted their age and let it go. took a couple of days for them to be buddies again from what it appeared.

Quality

now that is the big time!

yeah i agree with pritty much everything yu said Burlybear.

Couldn't disagree more, he can be very sexy and has more emotion & silkiness in his voice than either Shayne(Mr Bland) or Nicholas (Mr Vain). The only song I have liked by either of them was Shayne doing If You're Not the One; that was largely because I dislike Bedingfield. To be good,IMO, they have to sing better than the original. Andy's voice has a something (dare I say X-factor?). There are too many Shaynes and Nicholas's out there already.

Would love to hear Andy sing Lemar's If There's Any Justice. Don't give it to Nicholas, we'd all be nodding off!

Fair enough.. I take it you are disagreeing with the "fancialbility factor" bit..? If so I'm only going by what my missus says and from the lack of "Andy is hot" type posts on here.. My mum thinks he has nice sparkly eyes though You'll get no arguments from me on the Shane is bland or Nicholas is vain comments, in fact I have made a couple of comments about Shanes blandness

Excellent post as usual BB! I would like your take on SCD - go on BB you know you want to.

I don't consider the use of the word "darling" patronising. In the gospel according to Chenai it is if you're in an argument. I think the girl needs to get hold of a good dictionary.

JS "very old fashioned" ? Do you mean timeless?

Maria "accomplished" ? Do you mean predictable?

Shayne / Gareth Interchangeable.

Andy is a good singer but I'm sure he would give his right eye to have the obvious winner from the start quality of Steve Brookstein.

Brenda - you've done good performances so far so keep going. But i agree with burylbear about you needing ot be more gracious.

Maria - you seem to lack a bit of depth. When you sing it just leave me cold, Try and sing with more passion.

Andy - I loved your performance in week one but you've been lacking something since then. Hopefully with the right song you willshine again,

Shayne- Quit flirting with Sharon, dont become complacent and pick better song. Then you might win.

Nicholas - you have a good voice but you need the right song. You are very LUCKY louis and simon chose you to stay (i was shocked)

Conways- stop blaming simon, hes only slating you because you arent doiong very well. Try harder and be gracious, your lucky he put you through in the first place!

Journey south- your great but make sure you dont ever turn arrogant as that will turn viewers against you. Keep singing your hearts out and you will be fine.

Only one bit of advice from me:

Nicholas - ditch that belt!

Is that so his trousers fall down katie!! shame on you!!!!

GG

God, yes please! I'm sure it's his pride and joy, but three weeks or so on the trot are three outings too many for the hideous belt.

Ditto one of the Conway Sisters's awful, awful burgundy boots. GET RID!!!!

Nicholas, don't be ashamed of your height.

Journey South, keep the enthusiasm showing.

Maria, don't look so smug.

Advice for everyone except Chico......LIVEN IT UP FOR FLIPS SAKE.....YOU ARE ALL SO WOODEN AND BLAND..........

No, you're way off the mark there, no I agree with Taitai, the belt is just horrendous, looks really naff.

great post!!! i really agree with it all