PALIN MITENK BLOG

Well done gang: Simon Cowell high-fived Ryan from F.Y.D as he is joined by his final three groups


With two girl groups to choose from, Cowell selected Belle Amie, the foursome put together after they auditioned as solo artists.

'You were too good to let go,' he explained. 'The disadvantage was that you were competing with a lot of groups who had longer to prepare themselves.'

But it was a yes, and the four ran off screaming with delight, mobbing a happy Dermot O'Leary as they gasped; 'We did it!'


Handpicked: Simon Coewll selected Belle Amie for the final 12, having put them together during the audition process


Cowell's boys: Like the girls, 1Direction is made up of five failed solo singers


That meant it was bad news for Husstle. 'I'm really really sorry,' said Cowell, as they broke down in tears.

Princes and Rogues also got a no. The five men aged from 20 to 28, were sent off, along with The Reason.

Cowelll told them: 'It's a very hard song to sing and I think it showed up a few weak spots. It's bad news boys.'


Not for Cowell: He said they'd both grown on him, but it was a no for both Twem and Diva fever


But 1Direction got a yes.

'When it worked, it worked,' said Cowell. 'My head is saying it's a risk and my heart is saying that you deserve a shot and that's why it's been difficult.

'I've gone with my heart, you're through. I am so impressed with all of you, I mean it.'

That left FYD, who wanted to prove they could sing as well as dance.
'We wanna be all-round entertainers,' they said.


They've done it! FYD (For Your Direction) met through dance classes at London¿s Pineapple Studios and the band was formed over Facebook messages


Cowell was impressed: 'I thought vocally it wasn't perfect, but it was better than I've heard before.

'It has been genuinely one of the hardest things that I've had to judge. So I've mad a decision about you five, Welcome to the top 12.'

And that left Parisian twins Medhi and Samir, who go by the name Twem and comedy act Diva Fever, who both got a no.


*** Meet the final 12 ***


Girls (aged 16-27) mentored by Cheryl Cole: Rebecca, Katie and Cher


Cher Lloyd, 17 (6/1 to win)
Dubbed mini-me by fans for her similarities to mentor Cheryl Cole, and named after the singing superstar, she has been touted as a potential winner.

Katie Waissel, 24 (20/1)
The receptionist from London is getting a bit of a reputation as someone desperate to be famous - she has already appeared on a online reality show.

Rebecca Ferguson, 24 (4/1)
The mother of two from Liverpool impressed judges when she told how she had returned to school to study law to provide a better life for her children now aged five and four.


The groups, with mentor Simon Cowell: 1 Direction, Belle Amie and F.Y.D


FYD (For Your Direction) (25/1)
Who They Are: Jordan Gabriel, 22, Alex Murdoch, 22, Matt Newton, 26, Ryan Lee Seager, 22, and Kalvin Lamey, 25.
The Verdict: A collection of models and dancers they already have sizeable egos. The group met through dance classes at London’s Pineapple Studios and the band was formed over Facebook messages.

Belle Amie (16/1)
Who They Are: Esther Campbell, 17, Sophia Wardman, 23, Geneva Lane, 20 and Rebecca Creighton, 21.
The Verdict: All four entered as solo artists but were not strong enough candidates on their own. Simon Cowell opted to put them together as a group.

1 Direction (9/2)
Who They Are: Niall Horan, 17. Harry Stiles, 16, Zain Malik, 17, Liam Payne, 17 and Louis Tomlinson, 18.
The Verdict: Effectively a group of Justin Bieber type singers this group is set to be a favourite with X Factor fans.


Boys (16-27) ¿ mentored by Dannii Minogue: Aidan, Matt and Nicolo


Aiden Grimshaw, 18 (8/1)
From: Manchester
The Verdict: A former child actor and wedding singer he has been tipped for the finals since his first audition. A little bland but that probably makes him a perfect candidate to be moulded by The X Factor sausage factory.

Matt Cardle, 27 (11/4)
From: Essex
The Verdict: Bookmakers have the painter and decorator as one of their favourites to win. He already has a part time band Seven Summers and brings a bit of rock and roll to the show.

Nicolo Festa, 22 (16/1)
From: Italy
English is not his first language but the handsome student claims being a singer is his destiny. Incredibly confident but not without talent he is definitely going to irritate with his self belief.



The Over 28s mentored by Louis Walsh: John, Mary and Storm

John Adeleye, 30 (14/1)
Sure to be a housewives favourite he is a self taught singer with bags of charm. He works in a care home in London and runs music activities for residents. He has admitted this is probably his last chance to hit the big time. Probably the nicest contestant The X Factor has seen yet - so he’ll almost certainly be voted off early.

Mary Byrne, 50 (20/1)
From: Dublin
The Verdict: Hailed as the new Susan Boyle this dowdy supermarket worker has waited more than thirty years to follow her dream. Expect a similar SuBo style makeover as the competition progresses.

Storm Lee, 37 (16/1)
Edinburgh-born Lee Gardner he changed his name when he was 16 and moved to the US. He released an electropop album in 2008 called Soulfillapopkilla and two singles, I Came Here To Dance and 1985. He’s recording backing vocals for stars including Meatloaf and Ozzy Osbourne, but now wants to be the main star but with his strange look and aggressive attitude it is unlikely viewers will make him one.





source :dailymail