22.10.11 X Factor judge Gary Barlow turns brutally honest with his act Frankie Cocozza

'I promised I would never lie... but you were awful last week': X Factor judge Gary Barlow turns brutally honest with his act Frankie Cocozza

By Emily Sheridan

Last updated at 11:16 PM on 22nd October 2011


Since replacing Simon Cowell in the head judge's seat, Gary Barlow has quickly gained a reputation as the honest 'Mr Nasty' of the competition.

But tonight, the Take That singer admitted he had 'lied' on last week's show when he praised his act Frankie Cocozza, who narrowly avoided leaving the show after ending up in the bottom two.

After the 18-year-old performed Primal Scream's Get Your Rocks Of, Barlow decided to come clean over his praise of the Brighton-native the previous week.

Barlow said: 'When I decided to sit in this seat, there was one thing I promised myself I would never do, and that was lie and I lied for you last weekend and I said your performance was good and it wasn’t…it was awful. You deserved to be in the bottom two last week.

Being honest: X Factor judge Gary Barlow (left) told his act Frankie Cocozza his performance the previous week had been 'awful'

'Coming back tonight, to me, that was a comeback. Not an incredible comeback, but a comeback to who you should be. I think you did pretty well tonight.'

Cocozza's performance bizarrely started backstage with a black and white camera following him backstage.

In his VT prior to his performance, he boasted about going out and 'pulling lots of girls', to the concern of Barlow, who warned him to stop partying and focus on his practise.

Rowland admitted she was 'worried about how seriously he was taking the competition'.

Rocking out: The 18-year-old performed Primal Scream's Get Your Rocks Off, which was received fairly well by the judges

After his performance, Walsh said: 'It was a great entrance, I think the song choice suited you and this should be your comfort zone. Because you are a rocker. Something worries me, I think you’re a little bit over confident.'

Liverpudlian hairdresser Marcus Collins, 23, was the first to perform, taking on Lenny Kravitz's 1993 hit Are You Gonna Go My Way.

Walsh told him: 'What a brilliant opener. You're so out of your comfort zone doing rock. If I was marking you out of 10 would it be 10.'

Kicking off the show: Liverpudlian hairdresser Marcus Collins was the first to perform tonight with Lenny Kravitz's Are You Gonna Go My Way

Tulisa admitted she was surprised given his quieter rehearsal earlier that day: 'Why did I have a feeling you were holding back in rehearsal... But tonight you blew me away. The choreography wasn't too much. You were wild.'

Rowland was equally appreciative: 'This week you came out here and made the stage ours. I've been worried about you in the past but tonight you took control of the stage.'

First from Rowland's Girls group to sing was Northern Ireland's Janet Devlin, 16.

The teen performed a lower tempo version of Guns N' Roses 1988 rock anthem Sweet Child O' Mine.

Big hair, big voice: Janet Devlin sang Guns N' Roses 1988 rock anthem Sweet Child O' Mine

But Tulisa wasn't sure the song was rockier enough: 'That is a massive rock song, but it didn't feel very rocky. Not to say it wasn't very good, but it wasn't rocky. I didn't get that rocky edge from you.'

Predictably, her mentor Rowland disagreed: 'I am so proud. You delivered a rock song. You killed it baby, killed it.'

But Barlow also liked it: 'Janet was simply beautiful and gorgeous. Well done. I really like to see you moving around.'

I didn't get that rock vibe: Tulisa told Janet she didn't think the teenager gave the song a rock edge

The first of Walsh's Over 25s to perform was Sami Brookes who sang Cher classic If I Could Turn Back Time.

After being dubbed a cruise ship singer by Barlow the previous week, Sami failed to impress the Take That singer again.

He said: 'That was totally boring...

Barlow was then booed by the audience and angrily announced 'someone is swearing at me down here'.

'Totally boring': Barlow didn't hold back when it come to critiquing Sami Brookes' rendition of Cher's Turn Back Time

He told Sami: 'We're here to find someone who's gonna sell albums, singles, CDs, downloads. After that performance you're gonna be none of the above.'

Her mentor Walsh angrily defended Sami against Barlow's charges: 'This girl was literally getting sick two hours ago. She pulled it out of the bag. That was a powerful performance...'

To which Barlow interjected: 'Not with my ears.'

Tulisa was heard saying: 'That's really patronising...' before host Dermot O'Leary started interviewing Sami on stage.

Begging for votes: Sami defended her singing after it was compared to karaoke

Sami went on to beg viewers for votes: 'I didn't particular want to do the song. I did my best.

'Look, I know its a recession, I know its nearly Christmas, but if you (the public) could spend a £1 and vote for me I would be eternally grateful.'

When asked what she thought of Barlow's comments, she replied: 'I love Gary, he knows what he's talking about. That could be never karaoke, sorry Gary.'

Barlow insisted he thought Sami had a 'great voice', but 'its about seeing the potential to become a superstar... You know Louis, he takes bad acts and makes them even worse.'

Is that really rock? Girl group Rhythmix performed a rock version of Ke$ha's Tik Tok

Another act to cause a rift between the judges was Tulisa's girl group Rhythmix who performed a rock version of Ke$ha's Tik Tok, with a few choruses from Salt N' Pepa's Push It

All three judges told Tulisa the song wasn't rock, although she protested: 'It's rock week, not rock song week. If you didn't know it was Ke$ha and you heard it tonight it would be commercial rock.'

Rowland told the four-piece: 'You really sound great together. I think the look needs pulling together. I really want you guys to be the girls better than the last female group that was here.

It's not rock: Walsh told Tulisa she had bent the rules when it came to choosing a song for Rhytmix

Tension: Rowland told Tulisa she should take back her comment about Janet not being rocky after giving her own group a Ke$ha song

Turning to Tulisa, Rowland said: 'You should take back your comment about that (Janet's song) not being rocky, because that wasn't rock... It's Ke$ha pop!'

Barlow agreed: 'Very nice performance. Tulisa I don't think you've understood the rock theme. It means taking a rock track, that wasn't a rock track.'

Fortunately the next to perform, Sophie Habibis, managed to get the judges back on the same page with her cover of Bon Jovi's 1986 track Livin' On A Prayer.

Tulisa said: 'If you're gonna turn any rock song into a ballad, then that totally rocks. I think you're great and I love your personality.'

'Emotional connection': Barlow praised Sophie Habibis's performance of Bon Jovi's 1986 track Livin' On A Prayer

While Walsh liked her performance, he accused Rowland of not spending as much time with Habibis as her other acts Devlin and Misha B.

He said: 'So much better than last week. You made that song your own. You've got a lot of competition with the other girls. I'd like Kelly to work with Sophie more.'

Rowland hit back: 'What does Louis know? You're amazing.'

Barlow, who had told Habibis she needed to find her 'spark' last week, told her: 'At last you're making an emotional connection with your songs, that was great.'

One for Noel Gallagher: Liverpudlian Craig Colton sang Oasis' 2002 song Stop Crying Your Heart Out

Liverpudlian Craig Colton, 22, was next up and his performance of Oasis track Stop Crying Your Heart Out also managed to get Tulisa at odds with the judges over the genre boundaries.

She said: 'You have the most amazing voice and you have the star quality and that was an amazing performance.

'But I have to go back to it again, I think I’ve got the wrong end of the stick when they said rock week, because I thought it was about the energy and the vibe and the guitars and I felt like that song was turned into a ballad and it was an amazing ballad but it didn’t feel like a rock song.'

'Wrong end of the stick': Tulisa admitted she had misunderstood the Rock Week theme and thought Colton's performance sounded like a ballad

However, Rowland disagreed: 'That was definitely a rock song. You've got to respect the song's roots. I feel like you're back in your zone. So proud of you, great performance tonight.'

Harmony was restored to the panel when Kitty Brucknell performed Paul McCartney and Wings' Live And Let Die.

She started off on the piano, before moving over to a microphone stand.

Tulisa declared: 'THAT was rock, that was what you call rock. I can never find anything bad to say about you. You're an amazing artist, you're an amazing performer. I think you're a lot softer than people think, let down the barrier.'

Fiery: Kitty Brucknell proved her critics wrong with a storming performance of Paul McCartney and Wings' Live And Let Die

'Creative, innovative': Brucknell's rock chick performance impressed Barlow

Barlow said: 'Kitty I can start to see where you’re going with this and I’m in all the way. In fact you are the only contestant who is trying to say something through their music. You’re creative, innovative. I’m here…ready!

Like the rest of Tulisa's acts tonight, The Risk performed a rock version of a song from a different genre - Gnarls Barkley's 2006 song Crazy.

But all the judges agreed while it was good, it wasn't as good as previous weeks because bandmember Ashley J Baptiste, 22, has laryngitis.

Tough week: The Risk performed well, but not as good as previous weeks due to Ashley J Baptiste (left) suffering from laryngitis

But was it rock? Tulisa's only remaining boy band The Risk performed Gnarls' Barkley's Crazy

Walsh said: 'Its not exactly hard rock. I love the way the four of you sing. Charlie, you are my favourite singer. You don't look very happy. It wasn't as good as last week.'

Barlow added: 'You totally pulled it off. There's a great work ethic in this band that a lot of the other contestants could learn from.'

After receiving negative criticism from Barlow the previous two weeks, Johnny Robinson's rendition of The Darkness song I Believe In A Thing Called Love managed to win him over.

High drama: Johnny Robinson perfotrmed The Darkness song I Believe In A Thing Called Love

Barlow said: 'Johnny I really enjoyed that. There's only you that could sing that song tonight. Amazing... I'm just very interested, where did you get your suit from Argos?'

Fortunately Robinson was ready with a comeback: 'No, it was from your wardrobe!'

Rowland gave him a mixed response: 'I must admit, you really do rock. You're such my guilty pleasure. I'm not sure if you'll sell records, but I love to watch you and I have a good time.'

'I found it in your wardrobe, Gary': Robinson was quick off the mark when Barlow accused him of buying his silver jacket from Argos

Good comeback: Barlow burst into laughter at Johnny's witty comeback

Last to perform was Misha B with a powerful version of Prince's Purple Rain.

However when it came to critiquing her performance, it was all about backstage tension between Misha and other contestants that became the talking point.

Walsh told her: 'You've got a very unique voice. You've a very confident performer, I hope you're not too overconfident.'

Tulisa's remarks contained a warning: 'When it comes to talent you are way up there. You are definitely a star of the show.

Controversy: Misha looked lost for words when Walsh and Tulisa accused her of coming across as a 'bully' to other contestants

'I do have one negative, you're very competitive, I've seen a different side of you backstage.

'You being so feisty can come across as mean by other contestants. Take that energy and leave the war behind. I think you'll be amazing, just put aside the attitude.'

Barlow tried to bring the focus back to the performance: 'I don't care what goes on backstage. We should be getting involved in that. I'm loo0kng for an artist, someone to sell albums, and there she is there.'

Rowland vehemently defended Misha: 'You brought it clean and clear and on fire tonight. I'm so proud of you. (Turning to Walsh) I think some of your categories should get some more confidence.'

Walsh then interjected: 'One of my contestants has complained about Misha bullying her backstage.'





The X Factor results show is on ITV1 at 8pm on Sunday night.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2052263/X-Factor-2011-Gary-Barlow-brutally-honest-act-Frankie-Cocozza.html#ixzz1bYPQ0ZW7

X Factor Update 20.10.11 Sophie Habibis catches up on some sleep after another gruelling rehearsal

Feeling the strain? X Factor's Sophie Habibis catches up on some sleep after another gruelling rehearsal

By Sarah Bull

Last updated at 8:30 AM on 20th October 2011


She complained on The X Factor last week that she isn't as well known as the rest of her female competitors.

But it seems Sophie Habibis' quest to make herself more famous is leaving the 19-year-old London barmaid exhausted.

Sophie, who said she is determined to find fame through her voice rather than her antics off stage, was spotted catching up on some sleep in the garden of The X Factor house today after yet another gruelling rehearsal ahead of this weekend's live shows.

Feeling the strain? Sophie Habibis looked exhausted as she arrived back at the X Factor house in Hertfordshire this afternoon after another gruelling rehearsal

Catching up on some Zzzzs: Sophie had a quick power nap in the garden after a tough day of practising

Wearing a flowered vest top, pink jacket and grey jogging bottoms, Sophie looked exhausted as she sat down outside, clutching her iPod and a notebook ready to make notes on what she needs to do to get herself stage-ready for this weekend.

Sophie has received mixed reviews from the judges after her performances, and was told by judge Gary Barlow on Sunday night she was missing a spark.

So the pretty brunette teenager is clearly pushing herself as hard as she can to make sure she pulls it out of the bag during this weekend's live shows, reported to have a Rock theme.

That's better: Earlier in the day, Sophie had appeared in good spirits, as had Sami Brookes, who waved at the cameras

Talking about being part of the X Factor last weekend, Sophie said: 'It's amazing. What can I say, thousands of people would want to be where I am and I’m lucky enough to be here and sharing it with some really, really nice people, so I’m blessed right now.'

Referring to her performance of The Calling's Wherever You May Go, Sophie said: 'I was nervous but I enjoyed it a lot.

'I’m just going to be myself and if people don’t think I have a spark they can think that, but hopefully they keep me in.'

'Lots of work to be done': Craig Colton, who today came out as gay, said he has a long way to go before he is ready for this weekend's live shows

Nerves aplenty: Frankie Cocozza and Johnny Robinson both looked nervous as they were seen outside the house

Moral support: The boys' judge Gary Barlow was seen arriving at the house this afternoon

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2051046/X-Factor-2011-Sophie-Habibis-catches-sleep-gruelling-rehearsal.html#ixzz1bJE7D1BT

They even had the X Factor then! Adorable childhood photos of this year's hopefuls... but can you guess who's who?

By Sarah Bull

Last updated at 7:46 AM on 18th October 2011


They went from nobodies to being watched by millions of viewers every weekend on The X Factor within the space of a few weeks.

But in never-before-seen childhood photos of this year's contestants, it's clear to see they always had star quality from the very earliest age.

The hopefuls including Janet Devlin and Kitty Brucknell are seen in adorable family snaps taken as they were growing up.

They even had the X Factor back then! Janet Devlin (left) and Kitty Brucknell had star quality at a very young age

Taking the wheel: Janet looked confident as she messed around in a car, unaware of the bright future ahead of her

And in a reversal of roles, Janet has dyed her blonde hair red since being on the show, while Kitty has gone from having ginger hair to being a blonde beauty.
However, Kitty said previously the reason she changed her hair colour was because she was bullied so badly at school.
She said in a recent interview: 'People were awful just because I had ginger hair. They would laugh at me and call me ginger minger.

All grown up: Formerly blonde Janet now has red hair, while Kitty dyed her red hair blonde after bullying jibes

'It was a nightmare. I was bullied all the time and it made my self-esteem hit rock bottom. I tried to stand up to the bullies but there didn't seem to be anything I could do.

'In the end I decided the only way to do it was to dye it as blonde as I could, which didn't exactly do wonders for my hair.'

Kitty has proved her bullies wrong, however, with two assured performances so far on the ITV show.

Through the years: It took a while for The Risk singer Charlie Healy to grow into his looks

Heartthrobs: But the boyband, put together by Tulisa Contostavlos, are now favourites to win

And the 26-year-old singer is apparently keen to keep pushing the boundaries, following her performance of Bjork's It's Oh So Quiet last Saturday night.
She is quoted in the Daily Star as having told mentor Louis Walsh she wants to follow in the footsteps of her idol Britney Spears by performing with snakes, a la the singer's Slave 4 U performance at the MTV VMA awards back in 2001.
Kitty apparently told Louis: 'I want to perform as an Amazonian queen in the wild, surrounded by deadly creatures and shock everyone.

Cheeky chappie: The Risk's Ashley Baptiste grins for the camera as he balances on his bicycle

Ready for school: The Risk's Andrew Merry and Derry Mensah look smart in their school uniforms

'No way can you go too far in a Kitty production. I will give performances on the X Factor stage that no other contestant could dream of giving.'
She is said to have added: 'Snakes, lions, tigers, bears, whatever you can find, I’m not scared. I want to do something viewers won’t be able to stop talking about.'
And bosses at the ITV show will no doubt be keen to accommodate Kitty's requests, given that the amount of viewers tuning in to the talent show has dropped by a staggering two million.

Bonny baby: Craig Colton's smile is instantly recognisable, even as a little baby

Still smiling: Craig is another favourite to go far in the competition, thanks to his unique voice

Despite gaining 9.6 million viewers during Saturday's live shows, X Factor was beaten in the ratings by the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, which had 9.75million tuning in despite its barely revamped format.

Sunday night's results show rose to 11.4million viewers but compared to 13.4million for the same stage of the competition last year, it's clear that the new format is not quite yielding the much-hoped for results.

Why so sad? Frankie Cocozza was never a fan of smiling, judging by these pictures of the womaniser growing up

The hair's getting longer! Frankie as a nurse/Joker for Halloween and on the X Factor last weekend

Meanwhile, the frayed tempers between the judges are also likely to increase viewing figures, following Kelly and Louis' spat this weekend.

Louis was apparently left fuming after Kelly made fun of him for using the word 'swagger' in relation to his comments about Frankie Cocozza's performance.

And Louis was said to be so upset by Kelly's criticism that he has since refused to talk to the Destiny's Child singer.

Adorable: Rhythmix singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock beams for the camera in this cute snap

Star potential: Rhythmix singers Jesy Nelson and Jade Thirlwall were clearly stars in the making

As they are now: Have Jade, Jesy, Perrie and Leigh-Anne broken the X Factor girl band curse?

A source told the Daily Mirror: 'The way Kelly talked down to him was unacceptable as far as he is concerned. There is no love lost behind the scenes and Louis and Kelly are not speaking off screen and haven’t since Saturday night.
'Louis is just putting all his time into his acts and wants to make sure Kitty, Sami and Johnny have incredible performances.
'He’s already working on their next songs and spent time with them on Sunday night as Kelly and Gary were relaxing with their singers in their dressing rooms.'

Here's Johnny! Johnny Robinson, who is proving a huge hit on the show, hasn't changed too much

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2050312/X-Factor-2011-Kitty-Brucknell-Janet-Devlin-childhood-photos.html#ixzz1b9HAuSCf