The X Factor Final - Saturday 12th December

The biggest television weekend of the year. Did it live up to expectations?

Great song choices for tonight.

The show opened with an over excited Dermot stirring us all up, he does love presenting this show.We were introduced to the judges, Simon and Louis looking like they are going to a funeral again. The girls looking drop dead gorgeous as usual.

Stacey up first, it started with a VT of her visit to Dagenham with Dannii, she is obviously much loved there, but I am sure it was a culture shock for Dannii. Stacey sang her audition song of Wonderful World. Now this is the Stacey we fell in love with early on. She was fantastic, this is the type of material she should be singing. She looked beautiful in that Ruby sparkling dress too.

Olly up next singing his audition song Superstition, after his visit to his home town of Colchester with Simon, who sat on his Mum’s sofa eating his favourite Butterscotch Angel Delight! Olly’s performance was awesome, Brian had done a good job with the dancing girls too. I saw Olly sing this live at his first audition, he was good then, but tonight with a new confidence he really showed us what an entertainer he is.

Joe next, singing his audition song Dance with my Father, Joe visited Newcastle with fellow Geordie Cheryl, it looked like quite an occasion for both of them. Another beautiful vocal from Joe, is there anything he can’t sing. This is turning into a fantastic final.

They all received great comments from the judges, with Louis being Louis and telling them all they deserve to be in the final two!

Duets next, first up was Stacey singing Feeling Good with Michael Buble. They gelled together so well, Stacey obviously loved singing with him. I think perhaps another Buble song might have suited her better though.

Olly and Robbie Williams singing Angels, lovely to see Olly singing a ballad. But oh dear, he was let down badly by Robbie, it just didn’t work. In fact I thought Olly out sang Robbie.

Then we had Joe and George Michael singing Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me. Wow, George has still got it, that was an awesome duet from them both, although I felt George's powerful voice overshadowed Joe at times. I could have listened to him all night.

Another break and the three of them sang their favourite song of the series, Stacey started us off with Who Wants To Live Forever, Simon told her she smashed it and she did.

Olly next with Fool In Love, I think he could have chosen a better song for his last one of the evening. He was on fire though.

Joe singing Sorry is the hardest word, absolutely beautiful and he sang it with such emotion, probably his best performance of the entire show.

Robbie came on and entertained us while the last of the voting was going on.

After the break we had the judges back with their acts to find out who was going tonight. After the usual very long pause, Dermot announced the first to go through was Olly, I think everyone was expecting to see Joe called first. Then Joe went through, which wasn’t such a surprise. We had to say goodbye to Stacey, which was a shame when she had done so well tonight.

Well I don’t know about all of you, but I felt emotionally drained after tonight’s show. It certainly lived up to expectations for me, a brilliantly put together show. I can’t wait for Sunday evening, all twelve finalists will be back singing together on stage, with a few surprises in store. Bring it on………

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