It was George Michael and Wham week on The X Factor tonight and the remaining six finalists took the stage by storm to impress the judges.
Lloyd Daniels – Faith
Dannii: "Lloyd, that was a great opening to the show. You look fantastic tonight – it’s like a whole reinvention. You’ve definitely got something that is the X factor and we can’t put our finger on it. I’m just hoping that each week the vocals keep going up and up, because where we are in the competition you need to have a wow moment. At the end of the song the falsetto was great – you need to use that more, that’s your trick."
Louis: "Lloyd, I know you were under a lot of pressure this week because you were in the bottom two, but you came back fighting. I love your new haircut, I love your new image, I love everything – except the voice. I think you’re a real popstar, but I think you’re out of your depth now. I think there are better singers than you."
Simon: "Actually, Lloyd, that surprised me because it wasn’t bad at all. I’m not saying it was the best vocal I’ve ever heard, but you look a lot better, you’re starting to perform to the public and it started to feel believable. Maybe you’ve started to believe in yourself. You stepped up in a week – very good."
Cheryl: "It’s really amazing for me to watch you grow before my eyes. I feel like you’re turning into a little man. You look adorable and I think that was your best, most comfortable performance."
Stacey Solomon – I Can’t Make You Love Me
Louis: "Stacey, last week you absolutely stole the show, and I want everybody to know you are a great performer and there is nothing phoney about you. Whatever it is, star quality, you’ve definitely got it and I think you’re definitely going to make the final three. And Dannii picked a brilliant, brilliant song for you."
Cheryl: "What’s happened now is your voice has become as big as your personality, and that’s what we were all waiting for. It was a great song choice, you just need to believe you can win now. You need to start believing you’re the winner because you could do it."
Simon: "You are, as it showed in the film, one of the most genuinely nice people we’ve had on these shows. You really are, and I think you’ve turned into a little star. Do I think it was as good as last week? No, I don’t. It was a little bit mechanical in parts. The last part was very good, but the first part was a little bit clumsy. But there’s no question you’re going to be here next week. I’d be amazed if you weren’t."
Dannii: "Stacey, that was such an elegant performance – so, so beautiful. I just have to say this show is all about dreams and making people’s dreams come true, and Cheryl’s right – you have to believe this could come true for you, because they [the audience] do."
John & Edward – I’m Your Man
Dannii: "Wow guys. You look amazing. You know what really shocked me tonight – the singing was in tune and the rapping was out of time. I don’t know what’s happening now, I’m totally confused. It was fun…"
Cheryl: "Out of all the contestants you’ve been on the biggest and toughest rollercoaster, and no matter what happens you need to be really proud of yourself for coming this far."
Simon: "I don’t think it was George and Andrew – it was Andrew and Andrew. But look, guys, it was a perfect song choice. I do think Louis is giving you too much to do. He’s turned you into his version of Action Man dolls. Every week, there’s crazy, crazy choreography."
Louis: "Because they can do it! They never stop rehearsing. Everywhere I go young girls are shouting ‘Jedward, Jedward, Jedward’. These guys are connecting with them. I’m having the best time of my life working with you. But I need people to vote for you guys. This year would not be the same without them – we’d have no fun."
Simon: "What I would say is you did have quite a hard time at the start and you have converted a lot of people. I think you’ve done that just by being relentless. You’re like an unstoppable machine at the moment."
Danyl Johnson – Careless Whisper
Dannii: "Danyl, that is one of my all time favourite songs, a classic. I think Simon did the right thing by choosing a really original version of that for you – it was a wise move and you sang it perfectly."
Louis: "Danyl, there’s no doubt you can sing anything, but I think you tried too hard tonight. I would have preferred a different arrangement. You’re a great singer but I think you’re trying too hard and I think Simon is making it very difficult for you."
Cheryl: "I’ve got to be really honest with you, Danyl. Parts of that were really flat. The start was exposed because the track is so bare. But I think your image and performance are always fantastic."
Simon: "Well, Cheryl, I think we were listening to two different songs there, I genuinely do. Because why that was so good, in my opinion, was that that is what is called respecting the song. Taking it, listening to it, and most importantly doing something original with it. No doubt Louis would have had you up in the scaffolding in a T-shirt. How can you say I tried too hard? By the way, to clear something up Danyl, you are 100% right to have chosen that song. It was your decision and it was the right decision."
Olly Murs – Fast Love
Dannii: "Olly, Olly, Olly – Essex must be going mad for you tonight. You’re always polished and you know how to rock the audience. That’s a particularly hard song to sing, because you have to tune into the bass line. The first half did have tuning problems, but once you got into the higher register you were really kicking through so just watch that."
Louis: "I loved everything about your performance. You have the potential to be the new popstar up there with Robbie, Gary, Will Young and the others. You’re a natural mover, and there’s nothing fake about you – everything about Olly Murs is real. You’ve got the potential to win this competition."
Cheryl: "You know what the best thing about you is, Olly? You’ve got really broad appeal. Young lads think you’re cool and want to knock about with you, girls love you, kids like you. There’s no fuss about you, you get your head down and get the job done. You always come out and deliver. I really like you Olly, and I wish you all the best. And I really enjoyed your performance."
Simon: "You’re going to have no problems with the chicks when you leave the competition! You are turning into a really, really, really good, fearless performer. You did something original, you put that difficult dance break in the middle. I see a huge, huge improvement in you week after week, it’s great."
Joe McElderry – Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me
Dannii: "Joe, four judges standing for you! That was exceptional. And it’s kind of weird – when you first walked out I could see you were nervous. You don’t need to be. You have such passion and a real honesty to your voice. I love you. You deserve to be here and I would love to see you in the final."
Louis: "That was definitely the best performance of the night vocally, in every way. The thing I like about you is you show up and do your job. There’s never a problem with you. You’ve got a great appeal, like Olly. I think you could be a UK Michael Bublé. The only problem is the songs were George Michael songs and Madam here [Cheryl Cole] broke the rules – that’s an Elton John song. George Michael sang a little bit of it but it was a hit for Elton."
Simon: "Here’s a new rule – we’re going to stop you from speaking. Because after this young kid gets up on stage, does the performance of his life and absolutely 100% nailed the song – and you’ve got the audacity to sit there with your silly, stupid little rulebook again and say he only sang half the song… who cares? Who cares what you think? I’ve got to tell you, Joe, I take a little bit of credit for this because I told you in rehearsals to give it that extra 10% and you did, so congratulations."
Cheryl: "Joe, you just stole the show. You absolutely smashed it and I couldn’t be more proud of you. I could absolutely burst with pride when I watch you. You’re adorable, I love watching you, and here’s to the final."