This is just a question out of interest really. If someone has to leave early on in the live shows like last year, without being voted off, do you think they have a standby from each group? If in the very unlikely event that two acts had to go (for example being too ill to carry on) then the whole timing of the weekly shows would be out. Sure its not going to happen but just wondered if anyone knew if they had planned for it at all?

Last year the show had already been running for a couple of weeks before that girl was told to leave.
It wouldn't have been fair to have brought someone else in at that stage

If it is before the live shows start then I think they would be replaced, but once they begin I dont think they would be

They won't replace during middle of live shows. But below are who the judges almost put through ......

Over 25s (Dannii Minogue) - She said on the Xtra Factor that she kept thinking Daniel or Suzie, Daniel or Suzie, and went with Daniel in the end.

Groups (Louis Walsh) - He said on The Xtra Factor he was really upset about not putting Desire through and if he could have chosen 4 acts through he would have putten them through aswell.

I don't know for the rest tbh but I'd assume ...

Girls (Cheryl Cole) - Hannah

Boys (Simon Cowell) - Liam ??

I think Cheryl would pick Amy. Don't think she got Hannah.

Last year they lost a live show so they had to do a double elimination so that there were only three in the final. The double elimination was simply cancelled. They did a double elimination during series 3 but there were two in the final, but I don't think the producers liked that very much. I think they might have a stand by act this year. I think Cheryl would have Hannah and Dannii would have Susie as both judges found those two the hardest to break the news to.