After all these years watching the X Factor, never once have I found myself feeling nervous when the contestants took to the stage, even when Jedward were in the live shows. But, over the weekend, I actually found it hard to watch this year's bootcamp, scared of people forgetting their words and then others making a holy show of themselves. What I do love about this round of the competition is that it gets down to the serious business of taking out the messers and finding someone who has star quality, and a voice or persona that would entertain millions. Is it fair to say this year is probably the best for that? Well, in my opinion, it is. These people actually have talent, it's great.

At bootcamp, Louis, Simon, Nicole Scherzinger and their helpers *drools*, decided to see exactly what everyone was made of by challenging them to take part in a dance routine, bar Zain Malik. He didn't want to look like a fool so he didn't partake, until Simon went looking for him and managed to convince him to join in (it's times like these that would make you think this show is staged...). Our Mary from Tesco certainly found the routine tough given that she has arthritis and her knees were bleedin' killin' huur. But she's a trooper and although she couldn't keep up with some of the younger folks, she made the routine her own with her shimmy. Then, there was this yoke. Urggghhh, she makes me so angry. Chloe Victoria arrived late to practice, as she was out the night before and hadn't even had a shower. I'd say the bang off her was fierce. She did not deserve that chance she was given, clearly.

Enough of that though, before I say something I shouldn't. There were some fantastic moments over the weekend. Most notably Rebecca Ferguson, Gamu Nhengu and of course Cher Lloyd. Three of the most talented girls in the competition. There was the twist whereby the judges formed two extra groups with some of the girls and the boys. A fair decision as you couldn't see little Harry Styles not go through, or young Irish hopefuls Rebecca Creighton and Nial Horan. But the real excitement came when the judges found out which category they would be mentoring. As I placed a wager on it, I was confident Cheryl would get the groups (to show us where her loyalties really lay), Louis would get the now newly named over 28's (very appropriate and thank you Nicole for making that change), Danni would get the boys and Simon would look after the girlies. But, that wasn't the case. It turned out a very skinny but glowing Cherdly was to look after the girls, which means she's close to getting that hat trick, Simon got the groups (strange), Danni the young fellahs and poor Louis got the overs, to which he didn't hide his disappointment.

So, in a nutshell, the thirty two going to Australia; some dilapidated house in England; lovely Limerick; and err, not sure where Simon's gaf is at this year - somewhere Espagne, are:

Over 28's - Mary Byrne, Storm Lee, Wagner Fiuza Carrilho, Justin Vanderhyde, Elesha Moses, John Adeleye, Yuli Minguel and Stephen Hunter.

Girls - Treyc Cohen, Cher Lloyd, Katie Waissel, Gamu Nhengu, Raquel Thomas, Rebecca Ferguson, Anastasia Barker and Keri Arrindell.

Boys - Marlon McKenzie, Tom Richards, John Wilding, Aiden Grimshaw, Paije Richardson, Karl Brown, Nicolo Festa and Matt Cardle.

Finally, the groups - F.Y.D., Husstle, The Reason, Diva Fever, Twem, Princes and Rogues and newly formed 1 Direction (consisting of the boys) and Belle Amie which is the made up of the girls.

Is it too early to predict the final 12?

- Alicia Coyle.
 

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