This year’s X Factor was arguably the best yet. Not only was the series highly entertaining but with a whole host of talent and a range of musical styles amongst the final 16 contestants, even the runners up are destined for greatness.
Matt Cardle
It’s safe to say that X Factor winner Matt Cardle will certainly not be going back to his day job. The painter and decorator was crowned X Factor winner 2010.
The nation was introduced to Matt when he sang Amy Winehouse’s ‘I’m No Good’ at the London auditions; however it wasn’t until bootcamp that Matt stood out from the crowd. The 27 year-old performed Roberta Flack’s ‘First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’ which secured him a place at Dannii Minogue’s house.
Despite there being 16 finalists who made it to the live shows, it seemed that the viewers knew Matt was their winner from day one. Not only did Matt manage to avoid being in the sing off, but he received the most public votes every week, except the opening show where he was second to Mary Bryne. Impressive.
After his debut single flew into the Christmas chart, we eagerly anticipate his debut album in 2011.
Rebecca Ferguson
The beautiful Rebecca Ferguson, a mother of two from Liverpool, gracefully finished second in this year’s competition. The scouser cried before her first audition as she explained how much she wanted to make it as a singer, after surviving the full length of this year’s series, it’s safe to say she will probably release an album sometime in 2011. Olly Murs who finished second in last year’s competition, has arguably done better then the winner, so watch out for Rebecca in the coming year.
One direction
Who’d have thought that the manufactures boy band would finish third? After originally auditioning as five separate teenagers, but not making the cut for the ‘boys’ category, the lads were thrown a life line and made into a group. Two years ago boy band JLS finished second in the competition and have been hugely successful since, so it is possible that One Direction could follow in their footsteps.
Cher Lloyd
Sixteen year-old Cher Lloyd most certainly caused a stir in this year’s series. After making it all the way to the live finals she performed a duet with Black Eyed Peas star, Will.I.Am. She’s undoubtedly original in her style of music and performing but can she rap her way into the charts without holding the X Factor crown?
Aiden Grimshaw
When the judges made their predictions as to who would win The X Factor both Nicole Scherzinger and Simon Cowell backed Aiden Grimshaw. The 18 year old student from Blackpool shone at the Manchester auditions when he performed ‘Gold Digger’ by Kanye West. Aiden found himself in the bottom two in week six and was eliminated over Katie Waissel.
Katie Waissel
Some may say it’s a wonder Katie ever made it to the live shows. After being told by Simon Cowell to change her song at her first audition, and then messing up with her second, Katie was lucky to get as far as bootcamp. The 24 year-old survived more deadlocks than anyone else in X Factor history. After being saved by the judges in five deadlocks, Katie finally left the competition when she received the least public votes in week eight. Before competing on the X Factor Katie was signed to Sony records under a different name, she seems determined to make it in the music industry, so it seems we haven’t seen the last of her yet.
Mary Byrne
The only contestant to pip Matt Cardle in the voting stats throughout the live shows was Mary Bryne. The Irish singer received the most votes in the opening show. Had the judges not introduced a sing off into this year’s semi-final then Mary would have secured a place in the final, as she received more votes than teenager Cher Lloyd who was kept in by the judges. The 50 year-old Tesco worker, who was the favourite to win in the early stages, will certainly not be going back to the till of the local supermarket.
FemaleFirst-Rachael Patan
Tagged in The X Factor Matt Cardle