Forget the acts, all the juiciest action is on the judging panel

By Jan Moir



Yakkety-yak, don't hold back: Dannii Minogue snaps her fingers at Louis Walsh after he complains that Paije's song choice, Crocodile Rock, wasn't right for him


Oh, the drama. Cher’s on the edge, Katie’s still trying to show everyone the ‘real me’, Matt with the Hat is not quite the working-class hero he pretends to be and Wagner increasingly has the demeanour of a demented janitor doing a turn at the old folks’ home Christmas party, and refusing to get off stage for the raffle presentation.

Yet despite the connivance of the contestants, the real drama on this weekend’s X Factor Elton John special was the infighting between the judges.

Forget, if you can, Aiden Grimshaw’s camp massacre of Rocket Man or Mary’s permanently a-tremble hands. All the juicy action is currently focused on the judging panel, not on the acts


Snap-happy: Louis insisted that the Elton John song didn't suit Paije - but Dannii wouldn't let up with the fingers


On Saturday night, they fought with each other like rats in a mink sack. Simon threatened to fire Louis. Cheryl was in a bit of a sulk. Dannii was preposterously rude to Louis.

Louis retaliated by becoming more aerated than usual, forcing Simon to conclude that it must be ‘Louis’s wrong time of the month’.

How horrible. Hardly endearing. Anyone would think they had been told to go out there and give it major attitude, to detract attention from the lumbering warblings of many of the acts they are supposed to be mentoring…yet one can see the judges’ predicament.


Classic putdown: Simon Cowell suggested that it was 'the wrong time of the month' for camp Louis as he sided with Dannii over the Paije song choice


You don’t have to be a musicbiz mogul to work out who the last four acts are going to be – so between now and Christmas something has got to keep interest going.

If that means Dannii and Louis have to brawl on the floor like hellcats in the Last Chance Saloon, then so be it.

And when it gets to the stage where Cheryl compliments Paije Richardson on his diamante bow tie, not on his less than snappy rendition of Crocodile Rock, you can feel their judging pain.

‘You should make that your own little thing,’ seemed to be the gist of her accessories thrust.

Still, at least Simon had some kind and encouraging words for Paije. ‘I would put your chances of winning at zero,’ he told him.


Fantastic four: Simon Cowell passes an anxious look the way of Louis Walsh as he emerges for the Sunday night results show holding Dannii Minogue's hand - with Cheryl Cole in between them


Elsewhere, our Cheryl was over-empathising with the tribulations of being a contestant in a reality show. She really cares!

Even though she recently dumped her acts to jet off to Los Angeles, to sign a $6million recording contract to launch her own career in the U.S. - Priorities!

‘I know how it feels to be knocked and knocked and knocked,’ she told Katie. Sure she does! Down from five mill to three mill for her latest Big Hair contract.

Yet down the murk of the most vulnerable X Factor contestants, at least Katie is an original, just like Blackpool-born Aiden.

‘You jump on it with confidence and know that it is good,’ said Dannii to him this week, perhaps a remark that could only be made by a woman who had never been to his hometown on a Saturday night.


Controversial choice: The 'girl the public loves to hate' Katie Waissel hides he head in her hands as Dermot O'Leary announces that Aiden Grimshaw is out


One Direction continue to be given the big build-up and all the emotional chord changes and fireworks, but once again it was Rebecca Ferguson who stole the show.

Even Elton John, an avowed and dedicated X Factor hater, must have melted at her rendition of Candle In The Wind.

It was a complicated arrangement, a difficult song, a history that resonates with the entire country – but she floated through without a flaw.

Cheryl says that Rebecca is a ‘true inspiration to single mums out there’ but it has got nothing to do with motherhood or husbands or lack of them. In this instance, it is just about a single voice.



source: dailymail