I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! Meet The Contestants November 12, 2009

It looks as though Sunday night’s telly is getting even better now that we’re getting the X Factor results show AND the new series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!

What’s more, it looks as though the handful of contestants this year are going to make brilliant viewing… I mean, Katie Price will be fantastic on her own, but there’s mouthy blonde Samantha Fox, former Hollyoaks hunk Stuart Manning (Russ), Strictly dancer Camilla Dallerup and How Clean Is Your House? star Kim Woodburn (err, how is she going to cope without bleach?)

Below is a bit about each of these year’s castaways – except Katie Price, who‘s still being all coy about the whole thing -  but do YOU have your favourite yet?

Name: Lucy Benjamin
Age: 39
Occupation: Actress
Celebrity supporters: Anthony Cotton, Bill Ward, Simon Webbe, Jim Davidson, Elaine Lorden
Phobias: Flying insects, birds, butterflies and moths

What They Have To Say: “I am hoping that I will find some inner strength when I am out there, but right now, there is a lot of fear”

Name: Gino D’Acampo
Age: 43
Occupation: Chef
Celebrity supporters: Claire Sweeney, Peter Andre, Phillip Schofield, Holly Willoughby, Ainsley Harriott
Phobias: Not keen on eating bugs.

What They Have To Say: “I am the kind of man that needs to sleep at least eight hours a day.

When I don’t sleep I really get annoyed and everything that happens annoys me.”

Name: Camilla Dallerup
Age: 35
Occupation: Dancer
Celebrity supporters: Roger Black, Tom Chambers, Gethin Jones, Austin Healey & Matt Foster
Phobias: Creepy crawlies
Special Skills: Using dance to team build.

What They Have To Say: “I am hoping that I will find some inner strength when I am out there, but right now, there is a lot of fear.”

Name: Sam Fox
Age: 43
Occupation: Singer, model
Celebrity supporters: Kim Wilde
Phobias: Spiders, snakes, rats … all creepy-crawlies

What They Have To Say: “I’ve always seen myself as a bit of a female Rambo.

I’ll jump out of a plane, no problem. What I am scared of is creepy, crawly, wriggly, horrible things …”

Name: George Hamilton
Age: 70
Occupation: Actor
Celebrity supporters: None
Phobias: everything

What They Have To Say: “I’m thinking of sneaking a silk robe in and a martini.”

Name: Stuart Manning
Age: 30
Occupation: Actor
Celebrity supporters; Craig Kelly, Hollyoaks cast
Phobias: None

What They Have To Say: “I’m very neat and tidy. At home, all the towels are in size order, everything folded,

and my bed has to be made first thing in the morning as soon as I get up. That might wind a few people up …”

Name: Colin McAllister
Age: Old enough to know better
Occupation: Interior Designer
Celebrity supporters: Christine Hamilton, Tony Blackburn, Christopher Biggins, Jennie Bond
Phobias: None

What They Have To Say: “It’s like a spa isn’t it? It’s the Skippy Spa where you just eat kangaroo and see the pounds come off – fantastic.”

Name: Justin Ryan
Age: No idea.
Occupation: Interior Designer
Celebrity supporters: Anna Ryder Richardson, Linda Barker, Christopher Biggins, Jennie Bond
Phobias: Creepy-crawlies, anything that bites

What They Have To Say: “The great outdoors and Colin and Justin have never necessarily communed before

but on this occasion we’re going to give it our very best. If we can’t be camp who can?”

Name: Sabrina Washington
Age: 31
Occupation: Singer
Celebrity supporter: Reggie Yates
Phobias: Planes and heights

What They Have To Say: “I sleep with my eyes open. I look like I’m awake but I’m actually sleeping…

that must be quite scary for someone sleeping next to me.”

Name: Jimmy White
Age: 47
Occupation: Professional snooker player
Celebrity supporters; Ronnie Wood
Phobias: Snakes

What They Have To Say: “I did go camping with my son one night in my garden.  That was horrendous!”

Name: Kim Woodburn
Age: 67
Occupation: ‘Queen of Clean’
Celebrity supporters: How Clean Is Your House? colleague Aggy MacKenzie
Phobias: Bug crawling on her whilst she sleeps.

What They Have To Say: “I’m not getting out of bed at night, in the dark, with spiders dragging my knickers off! I’m going to pee wherever I can!”

Alex Reid Gets His Own TV Show! November 12, 2009

Stop Press! The world has gone absolutely bonkers and offered Alex Reid his own TV show…. I know!! What on EARTH could Alex ‘I’m.only.famous.because.I’m.dating.Jordan’ Reid have that we would want to watch?

Okay, so his missus might be out of the country frolicking around in the I’m A Celebrity…. jungle, but it seems as though he doesn’t have to worry about how he’s going to be making money in her absence, as Bravo have signed him up to star in Alex Reid: The Fight Of His Life. Brilliant.

The show will follow the z-lister as he trains for a bout with a Martial Arts middleweight champion called Tom “Kong” Watson, travelling the world and training hard… all culminating in a  two and a half hour special showing the fight in full. Well, if he lasts two and a half hours without crashing out.

Whilst I already think I’m washing my hair that night, will YOU be tuning in?

Ruth. xx

Katie Price Going Back On I’m A Celebrity…. For £450K November 10, 2009

Lucie Jones Out Whilst John & Edward Saved… WTF? November 9, 2009

John and Edward might have been growing on me last week, but after seeing Lucie Jones miss out on another week on the show to that the pair of loons could live for another week has just left me gob smacked.

Lets be honest, I never really liked Rachel Adedeji and was glad to see the back of her last week, regardless of whether or not she had a ‘big voice’,  Stacey Solomon impression on the 24th October was the final nail in her X Factor coffin for me.

But to see another huge vocalist go out of the competition last night when in the ‘sing off’ against Jedward has really left me furious this morning, but it’s not because they got the most public votes that has left me downing the Kenco this morning, but the fact that Simon Cowell didn’t get rid of them.

If you missed the show last night, you would have seen that after each act had sung, Louis voted to keep Jedward, whilst Cheryl and Danni voted to keep Lucie… and as Simon had made no attempt to hide his distaste towards John and Edward over the previous weeks, I felt certain we would finally be waving goodbye to the comedic pair.

But no! Simon decided to take it to deadlock because he didn’t believe “either of them could win the show,” so, rather than keeping the better singer (and the girl who I though had the most chance of winning) he decided to ‘let the public decide’ and inevitably it was Lucie who waved goodbye to her dream.

Lucie and Stacey are clearly the two biggest threats to Simon’s Over 25’s, because I think everyone is pretty certain that Danyl, Olly and Jamie probably have the most chance of winning should Danni lose her girls, and so it seems as though Simon was playing a very tactical game last night.

What’s more, what the hell was Danni doing? Couldn’t she remain dignified over the loss of her act? Whilst Lucie shed a few tears and said “they [the twins] deserve to be here, they work so hard” Danni turned into a mega-bitch and started moaning that we should get rid of all the good singers, and all start rapping next week. Oh come on Danni, grow up.

Either way, I think it’s appalling that the girl I wanted to see in the final three (alongside Olly and Jamie) has lost out on her dream to a pair of lads who can’t really sing, but at the same time, let’s not hate John and Edward, because they’re trying to achieve their dream too, and if more people voted for them than they did for Lucie then fair’s fair, but don’t whine if you didn’t pick up the phone and vote, because essentially that’s making you just as bad as Simon!

So, what are you all thinking? Did Simon know Lucie would be toast and get rid of her to preserve his own acts, and will the rest of the juidges crucify him the second on of his acts get in the final two? One thing’s for sure, it’s a good job it’s not Britain’s Got Talent, because it really doesn’t seem like this show is about talent anymore.

Ruth. x

X Factor Blog – Rock Week November 2, 2009

So they finally got her ousted then? Poor Rachel, who I am assuming was told to calm it down on Saturday’s show after making a real spectacle of herself the week before with her Stacey impression, has been booted.

I had thought Lloyd would have been saying Ta-ra to the show after that horrendous performance mind you.  I mean, what on earth was ‘our’ Cheryl thinking.  I Kissed a Girl, a rock song?

These song choices by these judges have me reeling week after week, these are folks who are supposed to know their stuff and they keep messing up time and time again jeopardizing their acts’ future in the competition. But hey, we like seeing folks make fools of themselves on live TV don’t we? However it was Rachel Adadeji who had to say her farewells last night in the sing off, which was a bit of a shame as Rachel could actually sing, but it just wasn’t meant to be.

Twit and Twat killed it again this week with that old Irish charm keeping them in for yet another week. Do they have the potential to make it to the final I wonder? I mean in all fairness they suck, but still would I rather watch them make total asses of themselves as opposed to Lucie cavort around the stage, yes I would.

Even though folks around me are tipping the Welsh chick to win it, my money is still on one of Simon’s lads to reign supreme this year. I must admit, Danyl is obviously close to cracking point after being voted as ‘more unpopular than Hitler.’ As serious as that may sound, dude seriously do you think people are really bothered by you that much?

Methinks someone is playing the drama queen role in hopes of securing an Emmy nod as well. It is not that serious. Yes Danyl has his haters that’s for sure, but only for one reason, that he is a threat to the rest of the contestants. So my advice to Danyl this week would be dry your eyes, man up and get out there and sing your ass off next week and, brushing up on a wee bit of Latin on this fine Monday morning, Illegitimi non carborundum ( translated as don’t let the bastards grind you down.)

Olly is looking very comfortable up there on that stage and for once I am in total agreement with the judges who commented on just how much he improves as the weeks go on and on. I am sure they will have our Essex boy in the beauty parlour this week for a spray tan and waxing after baring his chest this week to the sheer delight of all his female fans out there (myself included.)

Vanity is as important in this competition as vocal talent obviously after I found out that each of the contestants goes through a rigorous teeth whitening process before the live shows begin.  Nothing like a Colgate smile

I hope next week is a bit more exciting as the live shows are becoming just as predictable as the auditions, our ‘Cheryl’ gets to promote her new solo career, Danii upstages our ‘Cheryl’ with her sense of style, Louis and Simon gripe about rules and the contestants continue to play it safe. Please step it up folks, or you can expect to see the gruesome twosome in that final.

Melanie Cornish

Rachel Adedeji Not So Dignified In Defeat? November 2, 2009

Rachel Adedeji might have become the fourth person to be booted off The X Factor last night, but did anyone else find it quite so uncomfortable to watch as I did?

Last Saturday saw her acting waaaaay too much like her fellow ‘Girl’ contestant Stacey Solomon with her “Oh my God, Oh My God, I can’t believe it, thank you thank you” speech. But yesterday night’s behaviour actually made me want to turn my TV off.

As my housemate and I were praying for cutie Lloyd’s safe passage, the body language from Rachel actually made us scream at the TV, it was just all wrong! Talk about being ungracious in defeat, I mean, she wouldn‘t even wipe her own tears away, it was limp arms at dawn!

I’ve got to admit though, Rachel did have an amazing voice and it is sad to lose such a diva-esque contestant, but I think Simon did the right thing by “letting the public decide” because let’s face it, if they kept her and she went on to win, there’s going to be very few people buying her album.

Personally I think Rachel’s true personality might not have come through on the show, because watching her ‘best bit’s’ VT on The Xtra Factor made me fall in love with her a little bit, but what’s done is done, so as we reach the halfway part, who do you think deserves to win?

Ruth. x

X Factor Blog – Live Shows Week 2 October 19, 2009

So with the contestants down to ten and Scotland losing its rep this year in pub turned wedding singer, Rikki Lonely, will it be third time unlucky for poor ole Rachel next week? God bless her getting into the final two both weeks.

Let’s hope she can pick herself up for next weeks show. Danni really needs to think outside of the box for her girls next week mind you as all three performances were a bit bland last night, Lucie was especially boring and I honestly thought she deserved to be in the bottom two with Rikki more than Rachel.

Just as I am sure many of you thought Miss Frank looked like they were heading to being left on that stage, I too was hoping that Louis’s gals wouldn’t fall prey to the sing off this week without Louis there for moral support.  But can I say that the only bonafide train wreck in that theatre this week was actually sitting on that judging panel? What the hell was up with ‘our’ Cheryl this weekend? Is the life as a solo performer becoming too much for her that her wee boys are starting to suffer?

After Lloyd’s performance on Saturday of Leona’s Bleeding Love, (which for the record I thought he did a great job of) and then Simons tongue lashing about her choice of songs for her wee boys, ‘our’ Cheryl turned on the water works and for what? Why was it such a hard week? Because she was performing on the show too? I was/am a bit lost as to the relevance of that comment. This is what this chick does for a living, she should be used to this…and if she can’t multi-task, then don’t, handle your business, which I believe is to launch the careers of others in this role as X Factor Judge. Her cool points are slipping away effortlessly here and we are only into the second week of the live show.

But if one thing was going to put a smile on the faces of both judges and audience it was going to be the re-named duo…Twit and Twat, thanks to my brother in law for that contribution. John and Edward singing Toxic was ingenious. This pair of tools were thrown yet another lifeline and I was pleased, again for the lack of moral support from their mentor and the fact that they are just exceptionally amusing to watch. They are obviously enjoying their time on the show and are not afraid to step out in red PVC suits and shake their stuff for the world and why should they be? They are 17 years old and just having a good laugh. When so many other contestants and the judges are signing Kleenex contracts, it is nice to have a these guys just for the entertainment factor.

Simon had every right to be smug and I think he will be playing that smug card for a while after his trio of hunks went through easily. No doubt about it, Simon has a fine group helping him win the competition this year. And if Olly Murs continues to perform like he did on Saturday night, he is the one to watch for this year, no doubt in my mind. I thought Danyl who was obviously on a mission to prove this week that he is not as cocky as the judges made out last week, was verging on being classed as a bit of Cheddar or a shot of high fructose corn syrup. He turned the modesty dial just a little bit too high this week. I am a firm believer if you are as talented as he genuinely is, just be yourself. I didn’t get the impression last week he was coming off as a lil too sure of himself, I just see a very talented guy who enjoys what he does. Don’t give in to the losers Danyl, stay as you are mate, you are doing just fine.  And my sex-god Jamie Archer, I honestly had visions of him singing Genie in a Bottle when they said he was doing a Christine Aguilera joint, but then I thought, no its not Cheryl coaching the oldies, it’s the man, so I knew I had nothing to worry about.

Wonderful to see Clive Davis and Whitney Houston mentor this week and don’t we just know someone is going to get fired for that wardrobe mishap…where is Gok when you need him? Great to hear Whitney sing again, she is the ultimate diva at the end of the day and looking forward to her returning in April.  Was pleased to hear her critique the contestants as opposed to playing up to their egos…a dose of reality is what everyone needs at the end of the day and no better woman for that job this week than Whit.

OUT THE DOOR PREDICTIONS FOR NEXT WEEK: I am going with Rachel as no matter how much potential I think this girl has, the public are just not feeling her which is a shame. I want to be proved wrong and the saccharine coated Lucie be booted off as I am JUST not liking her, but I think she will be in for another week at least

Until next week kids

Melanie Cornish

X Factor Blog – Kandy Rain Get The Boot October 12, 2009

Could I even fake surprise last night when Kandy Rain got voted off the first X Factor Live show? Nope.

They were destined to fall at the first hurdle, but not because they weren’t talented (although the blonde one did very little on either night to keep them in the comp anyway) but when the claws came out on Saturday night, I doubt anyone had their antiseptic cream at the ready to ward off the perfectly manicured nails of Dannii and ‘our’ Cheryl.

In rare form the two (bullies) female judges dominated the judging panel on Saturday for all the wrong reasons. I am sure I was not alone last night, when the camera scanned the audience and showed the backs of only three judges, in thinking that Dannii had been put on the naughty step after her low blow aimed straight at Danyl’s manhood on the previous evening. How dare she?

Twitter was aghast, with Danyl top trending topic for at least four hours after Dannii took aim after school teacher Danyl killed the first live show with his performance of And I Am Telling You.

Of course the missing judge turned out to be Louis who, like many millions was shocked to hear about the sudden death of Boyzone member Stephen Gately in Majorca where he had a home with his partner Andrew. Thoughts and prayers go out to the family and the rest of the band at this time.

So with Louis unable to defend his gals, they were led to the slaughter. Even the vote from Simon failed to rescue them from Deadlock as they faced off with Rachel. How Rachel ended up in the hot seat when Rikki Lonely got through I will never know but there it was.

Kandy Rain exited the competition with the least amount of public votes. Can’t help thinking they were voted off for all the wrong reasons, including the fact that Louis had them styled like they were headlining the Ann Summers 2009 Halloween Party, but I am sure we will see them again next year and the year after as that is what this show is all about isn’t it? Regurgitating rejects.

All in all, not necessarily the most amazing first live show I have seen. Lucie doing Leona made me barf, how could Dannii put Lucie under the scrutinous eye of Simon Cowell with that song choice all the while bestowing a crown jewel upon Dagenham Stacey, makes me wonder just how much favouritism goes on behind the scenes. Granted Dannii did say Lucie was given that song to prove she can sing big songs, well hmmm would she be in the final 12 if she couldn’t sing big songs?

‘Our’ Cheryl’s trio were so boring. I mean Lloyd singing Justin Timberlake was painfully bad, his attempt at dancing just iced a stale cake really. ‘Our’ Cheryl needs to pick it up next week methinks.

Hopefully each act will eventually emerge from their comfort zone as the shows progress and do something out of the ordinary, as if this is what we are getting for the next ten weeks I need to start blogging on Strictly instead.

But in saying that the over 25s are enough to keep me coming back week after week and even though I have slated them on more than one occasion I have to admit I did find Dumb and Dumber ever so entertaining on Saturday night and was actually quite pleased to see them stay in. Not sure how many lifelines they have in this competition but they are still there, for now anyway.

Melanie Cornish

Louis Admits He Won’t Win The X Factor October 8, 2009

The X Factor live shows kick of this weekend, and what better way to motivate your category than publicly announcing that they are rubbish eh Louis?

Poor old John & Edward, Miss Frank and Kandy Rain might have been looking to Louis for guidance ahead of this week’s show, but after he admitted that he doesn’t think any of his groups are good enough to win the show we feel very sorry for them.

Understandably he admitted that he would much rather be mentoring the Over 25’s (is that because they’re AWESOME? Louis) and he confessed; “I’ll get into the final, but I won’t win. He [Simon] always gets the best ones. They’ve all got more experience than mine.”

Simon Cowell, responded by giving Louis a telling off; “It’s not a question of being spoiled for choice, it’s how you prepare your contestants on the day. And I prepare my contestants better than the others.”

Whilst we admit that Simon does have an incredible category this year, we can’t forget about Stacey and Lucie from the girls and the super gorgeous Lloyd in the boys (is it wrong that we’re crushing on a 16 year old?), and also, I think Miss Frank are pretty damn good, and if anyone is going to make it in the groups, my money is on them!

But what do you think…. Who are YOU rooting for?

Ruth x

X Factor Blog – Week Seven – The Final 12 October 5, 2009

So our final 12 have been selected and well not like there was too many surprises was there? We all knew that Louis would put through Dumb and Dumber  John and Edward, he would be bowled over by the ex-strippers, even though he said they wouldn’t really have the vote of the ladies behind them.

Louis also admitted that he would enjoy the challenge that Miss Frank would give him, the trio of course being my top pick out of Louis’s three. But that rain was not doing anything for the Italian Tourism trade was it? Were the Gods really crying over the choices he had made or was that Louis trash-talking after a heavy night on the Guinness I wonder.

Anyone else think ‘our’ Cheryl was out of line with her ‘can I take a minute’ drama when she was about to boot out the 2009 version of Rhydian? I mean that poor guy, I bet he wanted to pull off each of those false lashes individually with tweezers when after all that she gave him a ‘No’.

Cruel is not the word and shocking that she failed to put through my cutie patootie Duane and the charismatic Ethan, who, if I am true to myself, was basically banking on his looks to carry him through when his vocals weren’t right. He will probably turn up in the next episode of American Idol anyway. So for ‘our’ Cheryl we have Lloyd, Rikki Lonely (some stage name there right) and her homie Joe who I think is the strongest out of the three.

Dannii didn’t really bring too many surprises in her picks really. After the audition on Saturday I had succumbed to the fact that Essex girl Stacey would be put through instead of my previous prediction, Despina. Overjoyed for Stacey though, as she is that one contestant that I think many of us can relate to and get behind.

As for Rachel, I just love her and think she is super-talented, so pleased to see her go through too. No real views on the Welsh singer Lucie really, except she can sing, so with that being said Danii is in with a chance of getting to the final at least, but I would be putting my money on Stacey no matter how good the others are. Essex stand up and stay standing…

…because Simon put through Essex native Olly. Even though I was devastated for all three of those given the boot out of the over 25s category as they all should have been there, I think Simon and the semi clad Sinnita (what the hell was that all about? I mean seriously talk about attention deprived, even Cowell looked shell-shocked when she walked out) made the best choice.

There was just no way he could let an afro and a Mohican go through… that would have been too much for the hair and make up to deal with each Saturday! But seriously, Simon had a tough job as both those girls sang their hearts out on Saturday night, Treyc blew me away for the first time when she did her audition, more so than those Robert Palmer-esque backing singers who failed to compliment any of the contestants.

And was it just me who was concerned as to how close those guys were to the pool as Simon sat up on his deck looking down on them as he gave them the verdict? A couple of steps back and drowning your sorrows might be taken a bit more literal for those who failed to make the cut.

So with Danyl, Olly and Jamie making up the final 12 get ready for the live shows kids as they are just five days away

Melanie Cornish.x