The X Factor (series 6) - live show 1

Turns out it's idols week, not just Robbie songs. So Kandy Rain's idols are Robert Palmer...? Okay...

1. Rachel Adadeji for Dannii.
"Let Me Entertain You"
Rave reviews, but left me wanting. Very heavy on the backing vocals.

2. Kandy Rain for Louis (boo!).
"Addicted to Love"
When singing in unison, they actually sounded pretty good. The first girl has a good voice. Harsh comments from the female judges, but they made a point. If you want to make people forget you were strippers, don't dress like strippers. If you're proud to be strippers, then just say so.

3. Olly Murs for Simon.
"She's The One"
A good job for such a medocre song, but what was up with the hair? Not as confident a performance as I'd expected, but it's early days and I think he's here for a while yet.

4. Rikki Loney for Cheryl.
"Back to Black"
Done in a jazzy style, Simon was right when he said it fell flat. Hope did a better job last year with that song and that says a LOT.

5. Stacey Solomon for Dannii.
"The Scientist"
Interesting to hear this sung by a woman. It certainly sounded unique, and in a good way, if not flawless.

6. Miss Frank for Louis (boo!).
"Who's Loving You"
Formed especially for the competition from three female rejects, this was a brave choice after Shaheen's amazing version on BGT and Jacko's memorial. Needless to say, they came up short by comparison. Bad job Louis, they're better than this. The judges liked it though. Loved Simon's bookends comment!

7. Jamie Archer for Simon.
"Get It On"
The afroman's voice just wasn't up to this. Having to resort to bellowing to get an audience's attention does not a good performance make. Again, the judges liked it. Go figure.

8. Lloyd Daniels for Cheryl.
"Cry Me A River"
The first of two Welsh hopes tonight. Oh dear. He won't see November. I don't know what the judges saw. Maybe I'm just in a bad mood. Louis obviously has a thing for blonds.

9. Lucie Jones for Dannii.
"Footprints in the Sand"
The one whose audition I saw in person, and easily the best vocalist in the competition. Love that she could sing it without having to belt it. Then belted it. Don't know what Simon heard. Actually agreed with Louis, even if our motivations were very different.

10. Jonathan & Edward for Louis (BOOOOOO!!!!).
"Rock DJ"
The Irish twins everyone's been talking about for all the wrong reasons, and boy did they live up (or down) to expectations. Bye, guys.

11. Joe McElderry for Cheryl.
"No Regrets"
Great song, an unexpected choice, and well performed. Very good vocals, definitely the strongest male voice.

12. Danyl Johnson for Simon.
"And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going"
The most memorable audition of the early shows, the guy with the eyes straight out of the drug driving advert ends the show. Odd choice of song to put it mildly, but he did a great job. Best of the night, what a note to end on. Literally. Was it my imagination or did Dannii just out him?

My selection for the bottom two: Jon & Edward (obviously) and Lloyd.

Who was? Kandy Rain and Rachel.

Who left? Kandy Rain. Ridiculous.

Incidentally, on the live show, Robbie's performance was bloody awful, Alexandra's was good, but poorly mimed. Swizz.