It's now Tuesday and after what happened on Sunday, we are still talking about X Factor. It looks like people are now turning their shock in to total anger, and right too. But, some just need to realise that recent events have been purposely orchestrated. That's my opinion anyway.
It has today emerged that Gamu was not put through for two reasons. Firstly, her visa has not been renewed and, secondly, to boost the ratings - which is pretty obvious. Let's have a gander at option one. According to the 3am peeps in The Mirror, Cheryl was informed not to put through Zimbabwean born Gamu as her visa was due to expire soon and there was a threat that it might not have been renewed, which would have mean that she would have to leave the show, without being voted off. If this was the case, I'm sure that the show's producers could have had a chat with the foreign secretary and it could have all been sorted. So, for that reason, I don't believe this story.
Now on to reason number two. It's all so clear this year that the bosses of X Factor are more concerned then ever with getting high viewing figures, rather then doing what they had set out to do, finding a star. Granted the sole purpose of the show has worked for Leona Lewis, Alexandra Burke and JLS, but this year, with all this controversy, it could have a knock on effect to whoever wins. According to today's Sun, watchdog Ofcom has received about 500 complaints regarding Cheryl's final three and a facebook page has been set up (there's a surprise) with more than 128,000 people pledging their support for Gamu. The producers have now been accused of editing and fixing the programme for the figures. The tabloid reports that Cher and Katie's auditions were carefully edited and that they had actually preformed another song each, which we never saw. Cher took on R Kelly's 'Ignition', which she fluffed and Katie had breezed through a second song, without the dramatics. However, we got to see both girls bottling it. I'm actually getting more angry as I type this.Therefore, with the twist, even more people will tune in hoping to see sweet Gamu come Saturday.
Cher has spoken about her place in Cheryl's final three to the official X Factor Magazine, defending her position, "I know I didn't do too well at Cheryl's house, but I do deserve to be in the show. I know what I'm capable of. I just need to work at it. I'm not a one-trick pony - I'm not just the white girl that raps. I'm doing OK. I've got my voice back, I've got my falsetto back. Now I'm just practising. It's getting quite intense, but I'm more excited than nervous at this point."
Fans of the show have now pledged to block vote and get Katie out on the first show, no matter how well she does. It really doesn't help either that before she made the final 12, it was revealed she had a recording contract, a special YouTube channel and had supported Andy Abraham (the bin man) on tour after his stint on the show.
If Gamu is involved in Saturday's big twist, it's safe to say she should easily be voted in by the public. Sure even the bookies have her as favourite to win the contest, and she's not officially in it yet. Her mum, Nokatula, had the following to share "At the moment she is out of the competition (Hmmm, at the 'moment' eh?) The only thing we know about the wildcard is what we've read in the papers. We don't know if anything is coming out of the blue."
Why can't it be just like the old days? Well, if you want to concentrate on the other finalists, who seem to be just getting on with things, here's a gallery of them walking around some recording studio. You'll see them happily smiling for the camera, then, after a feast from GBK and a long day of rehearsals, they decide to hide their faces.
-Alicia Coyle