Bookies odds to win this year's X Factor

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Bookies odds to win this year's X Factor


Matt Cardle: 8/11
One Direction: 11/4
Rebecca Ferguson: 9/2
Cher Lloyd: 14/1
Mary Byrne: 40/1
[Odds from Paddy Power]








She is a clear favourite to make the X Factor finals - and has been praised for her ‘beautiful, distinctive voice'.

But Rebecca Ferguson broke down in tears following the results show on Sunday night - and told show producers she feared the show is being geared up for Cher Lloyd to win.

The pressure of the ITV talent show had clearly taken its toll on the mother-of-two after she gave a rather subdued performance on Saturday that prompted Simon Cowell to say he could ‘see the nerves'.


Doubts: Rebecca Ferguson, pictured at the Narnia premiere in London last night, fears Cher Lloyd is being set up to win The X Factor

Miss Ferguson, 24, was then pictured weeping as she left the studios in Wembley, North London, and was comforted by ousted Katie Waissel.

A show source told the Daily Mail: ‘Rebecca was in absolute tears backstage, I’ve never seen a contestant so upset before.

‘She really feels that Cher is getting preferential treatment over her and that this is going to ruin her chances of winning.

‘Rebecca’s put everything into this competition and she’s finding it extremely stressful. It’s very hard for her to see Cher get so much attention from their mentor Cheryl. She thinks the show is being geared up for Cher.

‘And besides which, Rebecca was very close to Katie and now that she has gone, she only has Cher left, and she can be very hard and cold.’


Determined to win: Cher Lloyd, pictured at rehearsals on Monday, has bounced back from being in the bottom two

The situation was only aggravated after Miss Lloyd, 17, was given the plum spot of performing last on Saturday night – which keeps the performance fresh in viewers minds before they vote.

Miss Ferguson performed her version of U2’s I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For – only to be told by judge Dannii Minogue that she wanted to see ‘more performance’ from her and not ‘always just standing in the middle.’


More...

• 'I'm no benefits cheat': X Factor reject Wagner denies accusations that he is making fraudulent claims
• Will Cheryl Cole's assault conviction prevent her from getting a green card and becoming U.S. X Factor judge?
• If Simon doesn't tell me when he's getting married I'm going to belt him: Mr Cowell's formidable mum reveals home truths

Cowell said: ‘Once again, as next week is semi-finals, I can see the nerves, that was a little bit stiff in some parts of the performance…having said that you have the most beautiful distinctive voice.’
However, Miss Lloyd - who has struggled with performance anxiety and panic attacks throughout the series - was praised for her rendition of Walk This Way by Aerosmith.

Tears: Rebecca is comforted by Katie Waissel as they leave the X Factor studios on Sunday night

Mixed reviews: Rebecca was told she was a 'little stiff' on Saturday, while judges universally praised Cher's sets

Cowell said: ‘I think you’ve had a fantastic night tonight, you’ve reminded us this is not a karaoke competion,’ before declaring: ‘I absolutely love you.’
Mrs Cole added: ‘We have never seen anyone like you on The X Factor, and you’re not everyone’s cup of tea, but you’re my cup of tea with two sugars in it.

‘That was dreamy and I believe in you, that you have a future and a credible future as an artist after this show.’
Miss Ferguson tried to shrug off her tears by saying that she was simply missing her children, Lilly May, five, and son Karl, four, who have been cared for by relatives at home in Liverpool during the competition.

A mother's love: Rebeca kisses her five-year-old daughter Lilly May goodbye on Sunday night

She wrote on Twitter: 'I was upset leaving the studio tonight because I miss my kids.

She added: 'Gonna do my best Sat just been reminded of why I'm here.'

Rebecca said during the audition stages of the show that she wanted to give her son and daughter the best possible life.

The semi-finalist had been awarded plenty of visits with her children during the live shows.
But her participation has required that she move from Liverpool to the finalists' house in North London.








Call the fashion police: One Direction members Louis Tomlinson (left) wearing a OnePiece playsuit and Harry Styles in a trench at rehearsals yesterday

Eyes on the prize: Niall Horan (left) and Zayn Malik wrap up warm yesterday

Meanwhile, Miss Lloyd looked ecstatic after avoiding the bottom two, smiling and waving as she left the studio.

Her father Darren Lloyd insisted yesterday she was determined to win and said: ‘It’s more important than ever that people pick up the phone and vote for her if they like her performances.
‘She had a feeling that she was going to be in the bottom three on Sunday night, so we were all delighted when she made it through.’

Dapper: One Direction traded their winter woollies for smart suits as they attended the Narnia premiere


Out on the town: Recent X Factor reject Katie Waissel at Shoreditch House in London last night

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Cheryl Cole’s American dream may be scuppered - as a result of an assault conviction seven years ago.
The Daily Mail told yesterday how Mrs Cole had landed a place on the judging panel of the U.S. version of the X Factor in a deal worth up to £3million.

However, now Mrs Cole’s American dream may be jeopardised by her conviction for assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH) in 2003.


Judge's problem: The fact that Cheryl Cole - seen here with Simon Cowell on last weekend's X Factor - has an assault conviction may prevent her being granted a U.S. visa

U.S. law states that all convictions - indeed, all arrests - have to be disclosed on visa application forms.

Some less serious offences may not affect work visas.

However, according to Susan McFadden - a partner with Gudeon and McFadden law firm who specialise in U.S. visa and immigration - in more serious cases an appeal to the U.S. authorities may be necessary.


More...

• Rebecca Ferguson fears X Factor has been 'geared up for Cher Lloyd to win'
• 'Cheryl's always been there for me,' reveals Dannii Minogue as rival X Factor judges prepare for semi-final showdown

‘If the conviction is for something that triggers ineligibility the person would have to appeal for a waive,' she said.
Miss McFadden added that her firm had been instructed by the U.S. embassy that with regards to more serious crimes it would depend on ‘facts regarding the conviction' before a decision is made.

However, she said this can lead to 'permanently ineligibility' from being allowed a U.S. work visa in certain cases.




Before she was the nation's sweetheart: Cheryl was found guilty of punching a woman at a nightclub in January 2003
Mrs Cole attacked Sophie Amogbokpa, a toilet attendant, at Drink nightclub in Guildford, Surrey in January 2003.


Victim: Sophie Amogbokpa, the toilet attendant who Cheryl was convicted of assaulting

In October that year, Mrs Cole was found guilty as assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

At the time, Mrs Cole – who had been catapulted to stardom the previous December after her band Girls Aloud emerged from TV show Popstars: The Rivals - was sentenced to 120 hours unpaid community service.

She was also ordered to Miss Amogbokpa £500 compensation and prosecution costs of £3,000.

Mrs Cole - who was 19 at the time - punched Miss Amogbokpa after she tried to stop the singer taking some lollipops.

Despite the shame, Mrs Cole’s career has since gone from strength to strength.

As well as achieving huge success with Girls Aloud, last year she launched a solo music career. She has since secured two No1 albums on her own.

She has also been a hugely successful judge on the X Factor.

As we said yesterday, on Saturday night Mrs Cole was officially offered the job as a judge on the US edition of the talent show.
She is planning to live with American dancer Derek Hough in Los Angeles, who she has been romantically linked to since splitting from ex-husband Ashley Cole earlier this year.
Hough's stepfather Aaron said: 'Cheryl is looking at moving over here, which will be good for Derek.
'When things got difficult for Cheryl, she came over to be with him. Derek's pretty level-headed most of the time. He's a good guy. He's always been a good guy and he's very supportive.
'She feels indebted to him - all to do with the fact that he is kind to her. He supports her, but that is Derek's nature. He's a cheerleader for her. He just wants to see her do well.'

Snapped: Cheryl Tweedy, as she was then, arriving for sentencing at Kingston Crown court in October 2003

The singer had already been in discussions to launch her music career in the U.S. next spring.
A show source said: 'When Cheryl goes to America she will also launch her music career there too.
'It's the next part of her big plan, she's an incredibly hard worker and she will definitely get a boost by appearing on the X Factor, which is set to be a sure-fire hit.'

X Factor Svengali Simon Cowell, 51, has revealed he plans to officially announce the judges for the U.S. version later this month.

Mrs Cole, who has an estimated £10million fortune, will earn £1.5million for this series of the X Factor - but will make up to twice as much from her U.S. television deal, as the budget for the show is considerably larger.
She is already accustomed to the U.S. lifestyle, having spent weeks in Los Angeles working on her music and spending time with her close friend Derek as she recovered from malaria.
She was in California as her divorce from her footballer husband Ashley was finalised in October.

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Cheryl Cole has made no secret of her love for tattoos and today the X Factor judge flashed a glimpse of another addition to her growing body art collection.

The 27-year-old was spotted with the new inking across her lower back, which continued to sprawl behind her trousers, as she arrived at the talent show's Fountain Studios in north London.
Despite covering her figure in a loose jumper, trousers and boots, the Promise This singer exposed the etching as she stepped out of her car and raised her arms in the studio.

New tattoo: Cheryl Cole's ink was spotted as she stepped out of her car to enter the Fountain Studios in Wembley, London




New addition: Cheryl's latest design accompanied the ****erfly tattoo the star has higher up her back
The new addition accompanies the large ****erfly tattoo situated higher up on her back.
There is a chance, of course, that Cheryl's latest design could be part of the same etching which she showed a glimpse of last month on the upper part of her left thigh.
The vine-like tip peaking above her trousers certainly bears a certain similarity to that inking, which she showed off in October as she unveiled her waxwork at Madame Tussauds in London.
A spokesperson for the star confirmed to MailOnline at the time that she had acquired the new ink, but refused to be drawn on further details about what the etching is and when Cheryl had it done.





Hard at work: Cheryl leaving rehearsals tonight after a busy afternoon with her three acts








Ink fan: Cheryl showed off her new tattoo while at the X Factor studios today, but manages to keep them covered up most of the time under designer dresses

She has five other known tattoos - her much-copied hand design, barbed wire around her right upper thigh, a large ****erfly design on her back, as well as one on the left side of her bottom and 'Mrs C' on her neck - something she is said to be keen to remove.
Cheryl’s right thigh barbed wire marking first appeared when she started dating her footballer ex-husband Ashley Cole, closely followed by the Polynesian tribal sign that adorns the side of her right hand.


More...

• X Factor: Cher Lloyd 'tipped off on Twitter she would be in bottom two'
• 'Simon's welcome any time': X Factor finalist Katie Waissel's hooker nan speaks out
• 'I'm well... and single' insists Cher Lloyd as she steps out in a quirky tutu at London fashion show

When the star married the Chelsea and England footballer and changed her name from Tweedie to Cole, she quickly took the opportunity to brand the new surname on the back of her neck.
She was then known as Mrs C, according to the tattoo, and has decided to keep it despite breaking up with Ashley.

Check me out: Cheryl Cole was sporting what appeared to be a new tattoo on her left leg as she attended a photocall for her waxwork at Madame Tussauds









Same tattoo? Cheryl's new lower back tattoo exposed today (left) has striking similarities to the tail-like design revealed on her upper left thigh in October (right)



Then came her first lower back design, which again resembled some kind of tribal marking, but the singer has always been tight lipped on the meanings behind the tattoos.
While performing on stage this year, the singer then shocked fans with another tattoo right on one of her bottom cheeks, which she had previously kept hidden.
And just last month, the vine-inspired design appeared on her upper thigh at her wax museum unveiling.






Tattoo happy: Cheryl's hand ink is well-known, while she is said to be removing the 'Mrs C' etching on her neck

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It appears there's no end to the many talents of the beautiful Cheryl Cole.

As well being able to sing, dance, model and judge, it appears the 27-year-old can also bake.
The X Factor judge baked a tray of scones for her publicity team yesterday and proudly posed with the baked goods before offering them around.

Look what I made: Cheryl Cole poses proudly with a tray of scones

Posting a photo on their Twitter page, one of SupersonicPR wrote: 'Hot scones fresh out of the oven.'

After joining Girls Aloud when she was just 19, Cheryl's had little time - or need - to to cook for herself.


More...

• Cheryl Cole shows her moody side in new video The Flood
• 'I'm well... and single' insists Cher Lloyd as she steps out in a quirky tutu at London fashion show

With her non-stop schedule, Cheryl has most of her meals cooked for her, either by her team or at a restaurant.
And she's made no secret of her love of fast food over the years.

One of her many guises: As an X Factor judge on last weekend's show

But after battling malaria over the summer, doctors reportedly warned the singer to cut down on junk food and start eating more healthily.
Designer Julien McDonald - who was said to have fallen out with the singer after a row at a party early this month - previously said he always used to see her snacking on chocolate and soft drinks.
He said: 'Every time I'm with her she's always got a Mars bar, or she's drinking a full-fat Coke.

'And I say "How do you keep so thin, Cheryl?" and she goes "I'm naturally thin".'

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Cheryl Cole is on the verge of quitting The X Factor after this series to concentrate on her music career, it is thought.

The 27-year-old, who has come under attack from fans and finalists this series, is on the brink of launching her pop career in the U.S. which would mean spending more time than ever across the Atlantic, trying to break the U.S. market.

Despite her commitments to the ITV reality show, she made a 36-hour trip to Los Angeles this month, after a last-minute call from the U.S. arm of record firm Universal.


Good to go: Cheryl Cole leaving The X Factor studio after Sunday's live sing-off. But is she planning on leaving the show for good?

The Mail has learned that she is close to signing a U.S. record contract with the company.

Meanwhile, Simon Cowell is still keen to give Cheryl a judging role on the U.S. series of The X Factor which will launch next year.


More...

• Wagner 'is in the top half of X Factor vote every week'
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• 'It hurts and it's scary': Katie Waissel speaks out about facing her X Factor backlash

Bosses from Fox network, which will screen the show, flew to Britain last week to watch the show live for the second time this series – and to scout Mrs Cole.

A show source said: ‘Cheryl is hot property and breaking America is the next obvious step in her career, whether she does The X Factor or not.

Last time on the panel? Cheryl - pictured promoting England's bid to host the 2018 world cup - may not return to the show

Simon adores Cheryl and has told friends it is a “good bet” she will be joining him, but he has to persuade the Fox executives.’

She had been thinking of making this her last series of the ITV show so she could concentrate on starting a family with her husband Ashley, before they divorced, it was thought.

Last night, a source close to Mrs Cole said: ‘We have not yet started talking about the next series.’

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X Factor 2010: Bookies favourites Matt Cardle struggles through 'worst song' while Rebecca Ferguson wows judges

He's been favourite to win this year's X Factor, since the live shows began in October.
But last night Matt Cardle's potential to clinch the title wasn't looking so certain after he gave a 'safe' performance of Billy Joel's Always A Woman.
After missing most of the week after falling ill with tonsillitis, the 27-year-old admitted his second song of the night was 'not my best performance'.


'Not my best performance': Matt Cardle admitted he struggled during his second song on last night's X Factor




After suffering from the flu all week, the Es***-native received more positive criticism to his first rendition of You Got The Love by The Source and Candi Staton than his second song.
Following his first song, Louis said: 'Who would have thought you were sick? You are a true professional, you’re consistent every week, consistently good! I think you can win the competition I really do.'
But Simon wasn't so sympathetic, reminding the public that, he too, was sick this week, leaving Cheryl to mentor his group One Direction.




Mixed reviews: Matt received praise for his first song You Got The Love by The Source and Candi Staton, but his second (right) to Billy Joel's She's Always A Woman wasn't so strong

He said: 'Look forget about the fact that you had flu, because I don’t think anybody cares. It was a brilliant choice of song and I like the fact that you were on flavour on it...
'Can I mention that I had a cold this week as well. Having got to know you over the past weeks, I want to vouch for the fact that you are a very sincere, cool contestant!


More...

• X Factor's karaoke acts are destroying REAL music, says Chrysalis Music boss who gave the world Blondie
• Brucie's tirade at Louis, the 'jumped up karaoke judge'
• X Factor favourite Matt Cardle gets dumped by show stylist girlfriend Grace Woodward

But his second song didn't go so well, with the former decorator admitting 'that was not my best performance'.
Cheryl admitted she could see his bad health in his eyes: 'I can see by the look in your eyes you feel so ill. Everybody loves you, you've got the support. I hope I see you in the final.'

Divided: Matt's mentor Dannii Minogue accused Simon Cowell of being 'tactical' when he criticised the Joel song

Having praised his first song, Simon wasn't so impressed with the second: 'Unfortunately this was your worst song. It is exactly what you're not. You're not that safe artist. You shouldn't be singing a song like that you can't put your stamp on...'
After Matt's mentor Dannii accused him of being 'tactical', he replied: 'It's not tactical, I didn't like the song.'

Rebecca Ferguson kicked off the show with powerful rendition of Robin S Nineties dance classic Show Me Love.
After previously being criticised for just standing still during her performances, the Scouse singer, 24, moved around the stage accompanied by a troupe of dancers.

Rebecca finally moves! Rebecca Ferguson performed an energetic ad powerful rendition of Robin S Nineties dance classic Show Me Love

Amid rumours she was getting enough support from her mentor Cheryl Cole, the Geordie judge made sure she was fully appreciative and enthusiastic of her act.
Cheryl told her: 'This song came from Rebecca and we fought and fought and fought for it and it worked people. I'm so proud of you.'
Simon tipped her for the final: 'I loved that this is a side of you we have never seen before. It was so cool, so controlled, your vocals were on the money and this is the first time that you are showing me that you don’t just want to get into the final, you want to win and I like that.'
Her second song saw the single mother-of-two perform Amazing Grace backed by a choir.

'Class act': Rebecca was tipped for the final by all the judges after her second song of the night, Amazing Grace

Louis said: 'You're my favourite contestant ever. You're likeable, you're lovable. you've got star quality. I think you're amazing.'
Simon agreed: 'Absolutely stunning - beginning, middle and end. No tricks, pure sincerity. You are a class act.'
Repeating the same superlatives used by her fellow judges, Cheryl said: 'You are such a sincere, beautiful person inside and out. When you sing you just ooze class and beauty. You're amazing.'





Disco diva to tearjerker: Mary Byrne performed Never Can Say Goodbye before slowing it down with The Way We Were

Favourite to be the next elimination after ending up in the sing-off last week, Mary Byrne initially steered away from the usual ballads with disco classic Never Can Say Goodbye, before slowing down the tempo with Barbra Streisand's The Way We Were.
Overcome with emotion, the Tesco checkout worker, 50, broke down when she revealed it was her late mother Elizabeth's favourite song that she hadn't performed for 15 years.
Although there was a mixed response to Never Can Say Goodbye, the judges universally praised the second slower number.

Emotional: Mary broke down in tears after the Barbra Streisand song, admitting it was her late mother Elizabeth's favourite song

Before finding out Mary's personal link to the song, Dannii said: 'Mary that was a beautiful performance and you look stunning. I don’t know why you’re crying.'
Simon said: 'This is not a time for tears, this is about you. You should be very proud, it was much better than the first song and you are a good singer and it’s about finding the next big pop star.
'I think whatever happens you will sell records, you will have concerts. You are not going back to the Tesco checkout sweetheart.'

Hi-energy: One Direction started off with Rihanna's Only Girl In The World, which Cheryl thought was a 'bit risky' because it was so current

One Direction were the last act of the night to sing with both their first and second songs.
They had limited practice with bandmember Zayn Malik, who spent a lot of the week at home in Bradford after his grandfather died.
The five-piece were also missing their ailing mentor Simon, so were supervised by Cheryl.
They initially performed Rihanna's Only Girl In The World, before Snow Patrol's Chasing Cars.

Maturity: The group won over all five judges with Snow Patrol's Chasing Cars after bandmember Zayn Malik missed a lot of rehearsals after his grandfather died

Even though she had mentored them, Cheryl admitted she wasn't so sure about their Rihanna cover.
She said: 'I love you guys. I thoroughly enjoyed mentoring you. That song was a little bit dangerous cos its so current right now as Rihanna's record that you have to completely make it like it was never ever written for her. I don’t know if it quite worked for me but I hope to see you in the final.'
But Chasing Car did go down well with all four of the judges.

'New twist to English music?' Cher Lloyd performed chart newcomer B.O.B's 2010 hit Nothin' On You
Dannii said: 'Guys, you’ve had a really tough week and that was such a classy classy performance. You’ve grown up before our eyes and we’ve never had such a good band on the X Factor. I’m so proud to see you five on the show.'

Cher Lloyd also received mixed comments from the judges, but defied judge Dannii's comments when the Australian questioned the teenager performing two rap songs.
The 17-year-old tackled two tracks from 2010 - B.O.B's Nothin' On You and Rihanna and Eminem's duet Love The Way You Live.
Following her Eminem rap, Dannii mused: 'It was such a tricky song choice tonight. The rapping was great and with the singing you hit your stride at the end of the song. I would have liked to hear you sing a ballad to get you through to the final.'


Steering away from ballads: Cher tackled a second hip-hop song for her second performance - the Eminem and Rihanna duet Love The Way You Lie

In defence, Cher said: 'Ballads have been done and I wanna bring a new twist to English music and I wouldn't wanna change myself for the world.'
Simon disagreed with Dannii, saying: 'It was a risk taking on Eminem and Rihanna but for me it worked. Again, I don’t think that you’ve sold out. You’ve stuck to the type of music that you believe in and are passionate about.
'There weren’t really any gimmicks, other than the fire and I liked the fact that it was you, raw, doing what you do best. I’m a huge fan, you know that.'





Fashion face off: Dannii Minogue (left) looked elegant in a beige Aurelio Costarella gown, while Cheryl Cole kept it flirty in a white asymmetrical tiered mini-dress

The rivalries are hotting up: All the judges are hoping to see their acts in next week's final