X Factor is good at pulling on our heart strings. They choose the right music to accompany sad stories and even know how to fish out the vulnerable contestants. Sure, isn't that what we like? Sometimes, granted, it can get a little OTT. I mean, it's a singing contest, correct? So no matter how bad a life one contestant may have had, if they can't hold the note, then they get voted off. Simple as. On another disgruntled note, I am starting to think that the entire competition is slightly unfair. We will most likely have 3 contestants from Ireland on the live show. My predications are for Mary Byrne, Niall Horan and Rebecca Creighton to make the final 12. But we still can't vote. Of course if we could, we would do so for our own but we are competing with the population of Britain so I don't think all 4.4 million (now that's a rough figure) of us will make THAT much of a difference.

*takes a deep breathe* Rant over, sorry. Back to what Simon Cowell (who is looking extremely well this year) wants and guess what, he's been talking to The Sun. He was speaking about this years contestants and how he would like to see some drama on our tellys. Here, here Si. On the subject of using heartache as a voting tool he uttered "We got too much of this 'I'm doing it for my mum who broke her ankle' nonsense. I am just trying to encourage them this year to be their age and do what they like to do if they have a career as a pop star."

He may have gotten his wish a while ago, since the bootcamp winners trashed the Premiere Inn a few months back. According to an insider, this year's final 12 will be given only one rule....'No sex in the house'. Ah shucks, I was hoping to see some beautiful relationships blossom, but obviously not from the boudoir as that would be kind of creepy.

Next weekend, when the live shows start, we will see the longest ever episode of X Factor with it rumoured to be a whopping two and a half hours long. However, tomorrow and Sunday you can see the judges get all in a tizzy when they try to whittle down the final 12. Can't wait too see the houses, they're amazing.

So, you'd better cancel that night out you've planned, it's going to be a long one....

- Alicia Coyle

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