I am truly delighted and proud that we have such a great woman representing us in the X Factor this year, *punches fist in the air* G'wan Mary Byrne. On Saturday night we saw her singing her heart out for Louie and Sharon (controversial or what), but it seemed like she had ruined her chances after she forgot some of the words. Walsh overlooked it, however, and told the 50-year-old she was through to the live shows. Now, I'm not afraid to admit that I can get quite emotional at soppy stuff on the telly but the Byrnemeister made me bawl. I was so unbelievably chuffed for her. Fingers crossed we will be able to vote this year, although it may cost us one arm and two legs. Overall, Louis was arguably the only judge who chose his final three correctly, as John and Storm-Lee will stand alongside Mary come Saturday night.

Cheryl, however, what in God's name was she thinking? Maybe Will.i.am was distracting her... There are a few stories floating around this morning that it's all a fix, and that the Girls Aloud singer picked the bookies favourites, but in fairness, this was filmed ages ago, so there is no way that she could have known Katie, Cher and Rebecca would be top of the bookies lists. This doesn't mean that I agree with her decision, to be honest, I'm appalled at what she decided. Cher Lloyd, a very, very talented young girl totally bottled it, claiming to have a 'sore throat'. She didn't even accept Cheryl's offer to return later in the day to prove herself. She robbed Gamu's place. FACT. Or, was it Katie that swiped the chance of a new life from under her feet. Katie and her stupid-looking feather eye lashes with accompanying pointless umbrella, made a balls of her song when she first began to sing. If it was that emotional for her, she should have picked a different song. Cher could have easily been sent packing and returned next year, older and wiser. Excellent call on allowing Rebecca, though, my money is on her to win.

Hopefully, the wild card rumour is true which could see Gamu return to the show on Saturday. Apparently, each of the judges will select one rejected contestant from their respective categories who may be voted back into the show. Online sources say that Simon has been wanting to do this for a while now and thinks this year is the perfect time. Maybe he foretold each of the judges to omit one of the best contestants for this reason? Maybe.

Speaking of Simon, hands up who predicted his final three? 1... 2... 3... so, all of you, yes? As if he wouldn't create two bands and not put them through and I would say that the other already established groups might have thought the same. Although, credit where credit is due, Bella Amie and 1 Direction did sound pretty darn good together. Shame about Hustle, I thought they would have been great on stage, FYD did bust some pretty fly moves and side steps. And Sinitta? How old is she and she's wandering around a villa in Marbella with leather thigh high f*** me boots? She did look better then last year (remember the leaves) but again, simmer down love, it's not a fashion show. You're there to advise, that's all. What's the head piece all about? Looks like she forgot to pull her chain the whole way down to her neck.

Finally, Danni and the boyos. Overall herself and Natalie Imbruglia did a good job and chose well. Aidan, Matt and diva Nicolo will certainly get the girls voting but, poor Paije. The cinema worker was so gutted he had to go back home and clean toilets again.

So, next week (as I'll be sitting on a hot beach in Lanzarote, *woops*) ya'll will be sitting back and enduring two and a half hours of voice quivering, tears, cheers and Konnie Huq creating car crash telly. Is that a tad harsh?

- Alicia Coyle.

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