The X Factor, Saturday, ITV1

Posted by Michael Baggs

The joke is finally over as Daniel Evans was given his long overdue marching orders from last night’s X Factor show.

It’s been a slow, drawn out process for the poor chap, having stood up to week after week of verbal pummelling from the judges for his average talents. It was obvious to any near-sighted, hard of hearing viewer that he should never have made the final 12, so how did mentor Dannii Minogue miss it?

But Daniel wasn’t the only act to struggle on the ‘Best of British’ show, which was as terrible a showcase for both British music and the contestants’ talents as could have been imagined. While his Tom Jones attempt was gaudy and cringe worthy, Alexandra’s version of Joe Cocker’s ‘You Are So Beautiful’ was brilliant but boring and she quite rightly picked up criticism from the judges for failing to inject any personality into the proceedings.

JLS lurched through a staggeringly unsuitable Beatles medley and series favourite Diana Vickers made a recovery from laryngitis to give Coldplay a good mauling by squeaking all over their hit ‘Yellow’. Ruth hit as many bad notes as she did good singing Robbie Williams' ‘Angels’ and it was left to little Eoghan to once again prove that he could easily emerge the winner with his sizeable talents, big charm and massive hair. His cover of George Michael’s ‘One More Try’ was the night’s standout.

And now we must discuss Rachel Hylton. At one point it appeared the show’s winner was decided before it began, so great seemed her talent, but week after week her performances have become more difficult to watch. Confusing scary for sexy, Rachel writhed around on the judges’ desk like an amorous granny after cracking into the sherry at Christmas. Despite fears the table would collapse under her wild thrusting, it remained intact and she saw her Amy Winehouse impersonation through to its end.

Rachel quite rightly landed in the bottom two with Daniel, waggling across the stage during a bizarre rendition of U2’s ‘One’. Strong vocally but badly performed, she could have sung ‘The Birdie Song’ and sailed through to next week’s show, so marked were Daniel’s cards.

Goodness knows what Rachel will get up to for next week’s Take That themed show, but if she pulls ‘Relight My Fire’ out of the hat, someone in the X Factor studio had better hide the matches...

Comments

[Miss Cheese]

If you hadn't noticed, Diana is unique and Rachel well, loads of stars sing in her way. Jls is great aswell as Alexranda. I hope to see either Diana or Jls to win. Daniel was never quite my favourite.

[golfergreen]

Please please please - we have had enough of Diana Vickers and the "squeaking" - let real talent shine through in Ruth Lorenzo - what a voice and she certainly can sing.... as for Rachel Hylton, I am lost for words .... why is she still in?

[jane]

eughan cannot sing. he has no talent and is just annoying. rachel shouldn't be on this show. what kind of example is she setting to the people watching this? and seriously, i don't think she can even sing.
diana or jls to win!

[Denise]

I totally agree, Daniel is a typical "Best of British gentleman"

Pleeeeeeeease over the next 2 weeks let Rachel and Diana get the boot, i cant look at them, Rachel is arrogant and comes across as a bully, and as for Diana, she has the worst voice ive ever heard. she cant reach high notes, she just cuts them out, total crap. JLS or little Eouaghan to win.

[Diane]

Well I think even Daniel might acknowledge that it was time for him to go - Bridge over Troubled Water was weak and he does grin the whole way through a song, even if the lyrics are sad! Owen was so good - he may be cute but he does have a good voice. JLS still overrated as far as I'm concerned. Diana was a bit of a mess. Alexandra very good as always. Ruth can really belt them out. But Rachel! She just seems to think it's all a good laugh, and One Love - what was that all about?! Jigging along to it, not really bothered, either her or JLS to go next week.

[bev&kir]

the loss of Daniel was a great shame to the show, he was a true gentleman the like you don't find much anymore.
we agree with the who's comments that Diana should be kicked off this saturday, her voice is squeaky, annoying and totally pointless.

[Howard]

Eoghan was the night's standout? Really Orange? I know he has improved tremendously but Alex was the best vocal last night. Though if I'm honest, she is incredibly dull and though a nice girl, a cold performer. I suppose you're right about Eoghan. My, Leona really showed everyone up last night didn't she. It was not her best performance and yet it was on another level compared to the acts left in the competition. Beautiful and quite moving. Looking forward to the music video. Laughing my eyes out at the Rachel paragraph!! She MUST leave next week. The judges and producers are clearly scared of her and her friends and family. What other explanation is there? Good luck to Daniel. He's a top man - a true gentleman. Wish him nothing but success and happiness.

[Sacha Cambell, 22]

Who is voting for Diana and Rachel? Not only can neither sing, they're two of the most annoying, moany, arrogant people to walk that stage.

I wanted a Laura/Austin final (I like MUSICIANS with incredible vocals) with a bit of JLS or Alex thrown in 3rd place but I had a huge soft spot for the ever-cheesy but lovely Daniel. He was ALWAYS smiling and laughing - on and offstage (see backstage videos on Official XF site). Constantly verbally attacked by that turnip Louis, Simon and the media but he came back fighting every week. Not once did this man utter a bad word about anyone. His exit interview on the site is wonderful. What he said about Louis & the experience proves to me what Austin, Dermot (bless him for crying on Xtra after his departure!), JLS, Laura, Alex, Eoghan, Ruth, the vocals coaches & all the others said about him being one of the biggest gentlemen they'd ever met, is true. I hope this is not the last we see of Daniel. He's funny, kind, warm and engaging. Someone give him a TV job or something.

Wish him all the best.

[kelly's mum]

I agree with the other comments and although I don't think he stood any chance of winning, I do wish Daniel every happiness and success in the future. The show itself is not really worth watching this year, having seen Leona performing last night, sadly noone even comes close to her level of talent although they are obviously all hoping to become big stars. The judges are cringeworthy and hypocrites, particularly Louis. Their song choices have been appalling especially last night. If I miss the remainder of the shows, I will not be sorry.

[Sue]

I agree, he was a complete gentleman. He knew deep down his time had come when he came back on stage after Rachel sang. I have always liked Daniel since he first auditioned. He always seemed like a down to earth guy who had been through a really rough time. He then came on the show and was given a harder time by some of those who put him in for boot camp in the first place. If he was that terrible, why let him go forward? He wasn't the best singer compared to some of them but the judges must have thought he had something. Simon and Louis were especially harsh on him and I really do not know why. Beginning to wonder whether Louis should call it a day on the panel, he is so two faced. He had the chance to vote Daniel out a couple of weeks ago but suddenly became all emotional and decided to keep him in. Then in last nights show, he didn't even give Daniel any positive remarks and just kept Rachel in, who in my opinion should have gone last week. I loved her in auditions, when she sang Amy Winehouse, it was amazing but her voice is beginning to sound the same on everything she sings. Diana's voice is terrible, think she should have been made to sing a Mariah song, just to prove her voice could do it. It is now an unfair advantage she has on the others because she missed last week. Good luck to Daniel anyway, hope he uses the experience in a positive light and really goes somewhere in his career, if only just to prove Louis wrong!

[TheWho]

Daniel's exit was the most gracious exit I've ever seen on the show. What a gentleman. A real decent, genuine man. His last peformance was his best one. He should be proud. Diana and Rachel deserved Bottom 2 - both horrendous 'singers' with excruciatingly annoying personalities. Wish Dan the man all the best :) As Dermot said, if there's anyone who deserves happiness and success, it's him. I'd love to see him on TV again soon. His personality is smashing.