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Simon Cowell accused of 'favouring' X Factor's Joe McElderry
Last updated at 09:40am on 30.11.09X Factor singer Joe McElderry has won big support from Simon Cowell, but the praise has brought favouritism accusations.
Favourite? Simon Cowell is said to be rooting for Joe McElderry above Stacey Solomon
Cowell is said to be leaning on judges to back the 18-year-old ahead of Stacey Solomon, 20, of Dagenham.
Meanwhile, Lloyd Daniels put on a brave face this weekend as his X Factor dream turned to tatters.
The 16-year-old Welshman, who had endured relentless criticism from judge Louis Walsh in recent weeks, was voted off by the public last night as the wannabes were whittled down to the final four.
But despite being described as "karaoke" by Walsh before his exit, mentor Cheryl Cole predicted a bright future for blue-eyed Daniels.
Urging him to be proud of his achievement, she told him: "He is only 16 - he has got loads of time to blossom into a real star."
After learning he had received fewer votes than Olly Murs, Daniels fought back any tears as he said: "I have enjoyed every moment."
The show featured its normal mix of stellar pop stars - this time Rihanna and Alicia Keys showed off their musical mettle.
Speaking afterwards, Keys refused to say which act she preferred. She told Dermot O'Leary: "I want to leave it to y'all to choose".
The finalists began the show in camp and colourful fashion with an impression of Scissor Sisters' I Don't Feel Like Dancin'.
On Saturday Cowell had his war of words with Walsh, branding the Irishman "the Dark Cloud of X Factor" and "Scrooge" - but there was no bickering this time as the judges were not involved in the final decision of which act to ditch.
Daniels' versions of Take That and Sir Elton John classics had sealed his fate with the public.
After his version of the ballad A Million Love Songs, Walsh told him: "The public obviously liked you lots more than I do."
Daniels was also shot down in flames for his interpretation of I'm Still Standing.
Walsh continued his campaign against the Welshman, quipping: "You're just about standing... it was a little karaoke for me".
Joe McElderry has emerged as a favourite for the X Factor crown after continuing to wow the judges with Could It Be Magic and Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word.
Cole hailed the first performance "flawless" while Cowell added: "What was so impressive there was that you managed to navigate through all the dancing and production. It looked like you were really in control."
After he performed his second song, the superlatives came thick and fast.
"I'm absolutely gobsmacked by that," Cowell gushed. "Something happened to you in the week - the boy has turned into a man."
The semi-finals will get under way next Saturday.
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Reader views (14)
tbh peoples, Joe deserved to win. he had the best voice on the show and no matter what people think, the final has ended and the winner has been chosen. i think that last years results were fixed, as JLS were way better then Alexandra Burke, yet she won the show. JLS are doing well for themselves as is Leona and they are capable of coping with the fame. if you lot think you can do better, why dont you just show us?
- Jordi-Leigh, Doncaster, England
Joe is the most talented contestant on this year's show. Great vocals, good stage presence, good dancer, lovely personality and really good- looking. I really hope that Danyl goes this coming Saturday because I find his voice really grating - he has murdered every song he's sung so far. He cannot dance - oh I know he's a dance teacher but he doesn't teach professionals - only young kids. I love Ollly but, unfortunately, he cannot sing either - his dancing is a bit iffy, too! Stacey has a powerful voice but nothing else. Joe was born to perform - he's hardworking and focused. I think Joe will be a huge success - no wonder Simon is said to be favouring him over the others! JOE TO WIN.
- Valerie, Witham Essex
Young Jo has got to win he is the only one with an excellent, all round voice and can sing any type of song. Stacey is also very good but with girls winning for the last two years, she does not stand a chance. I think Olly will be third. Danyl will be out this week.
- Eileen., Bingham. Notts.
Cowell has realised that Danyl shouts too much and the gay revelations will mean he wont win X Factor. Flying his Joe colours to the mast willinfuriate Olly and Stacey fans, particularly the latter, as the voting shows that Olly will probably be leaving next week. The show has always been just about what Cowell wants
- Keith Price, Luton, Emgland
Who on earth cares who or what "Wins" X factor? It is merely a money making machine for the disgusting Simon Cowell, who exploits the stupid and gullible for his own ends, ably assisted by Louis Walsh who's claim to fame is to introduce talentless irish boy "bands", Bands they can't play a note. The whining wannabee Minogue who's own meteoric rise to mediocrity is well documented, and the Nations treasure, the bully Cheryl Cole..
What a high point our culture has achieved.
- Kerry, Purley
Joe seems to be the only one with any stage presence as well as a good voice. Olly is o.k. but comes across as just ordinary: the spark is missing.
Stacy will probably sound good on disc but seems to have flat-lined in performance. As for Danyl, he was flat on Saturday and all the shouting in the world didn't hide it. He gave a good impression of the Blackwall Tunnel but that was about it.
- Janet, London, UK
I must say Joe has by far the best voice and what's more is that he is clearly a really nice guy. He is modest and friendly and I would love to see him win. I really like Stacey but I struggle with her breathless and gaspy lttle sentences. If she speaks like that all the time it must drive people insane. I am sure they are all winners at this stage anyway but it would be nice to see the most talented contestant win.
However daft this sounds, as a mother my heart has a little rush of pride when Joe sings! Such a nice boy!
- Anna, Chorleywood
Joe - no.1
Stacey - no.2
Olly - no.3 (sadly peaked a couple weeks ago)
There you go, the official winners for 2009. You heard it here first!
- Marianne, SW France/London
.
Elvis was not Frank Sinatra, and Shirley Bassey is not Vera Lynn.
Win or lose; Stacey and Joe will go on to become great in their own right, just as Elvis and Sinatra did.
In my opinion; Stacey and Joe are the best two left on that show, and one or the other will win; but whoever loses, will still be a winner.
I like them both, and I would buy their music, and that is what it is all about; would you buy their music, or would you not bother? It is business after all, no sales, no point in singing etc.
In truth; it is females than vote the most, as most men can't be bothered; and if you go to music shows, you will see far more women than men at those shows, women love good male singers for obvious reasons; but never underestimate the female voter; they do support other female singers, and they support their own sex etc.
Girls Aloud are a typical example, the female audiences love them.
Simon knows his two males are very likely to lose in the final, but he cannot say that; can he?
- Mickinlondon, london
Pa, I agree with you Joe is so good he can sing anything which has been proven time & again during this competition. I wish Louis would leave him
alone, he has picked on him through out the competition. He has room to talk keeping Jedward as his final three when he had more talent in the groups to choose from. Stacey is overrated & could never fill either Leona or Alexandra's boots. I say come on Geordie Joe show the country that a northerner has a good a voice as all the rest. I'm rooting for Joe & my purse strings are dwindling voting for him. What about making a duet with Cheryl?
- A, UK
The issue is not who YOU like but what is it that Cowell is up to.
Well, if it is anything to by, past efforts suggest he is trying to "divide and rule". He knows that in terms of popularity Stacey is a force against Danyl [Olly will regrettably go next week] who he clearly wants to win.
By suggesting Joe he is trying to undermine Stacey with floating voters. With Stacey out of the way, Danyl wil have a claer field against Olly and Joe. As the Meerkat would say "tccch, simple!"
- Gazza'S Longshot At Wembley., London
Other than Olly Murrs, I don't think anyone would actually pay to go to watch the others as none of them know how to move their feet, thus providing little or no entertainment value beyond running up and down vocal scales and murdering great songs.
For some reason, the demographic of the show seems to be continually impressed by vocal pyrotechnics, most of which add nothing to the song and often indicate someone singing through their nose and not from the chest.
- Hansel, London
The truth is the Joe is the most talented in terms of vocal ability. Stacey is overrated. It's only her ditzy personality that is endearing her to viewers. She is nowhere near as good as previous winners such as Leona or Alexandra.
- Pa, London
I do like Joe, but I think that Simon is wrong. Anyway, it's the public who decides. I'm rooting for Stacey.
- Pat, Romford
