More make it through on X Factor UK, Week 3

We haven't yet seen many potential boy finalists. This fellow could be one. Confident and in tune, comes across well and may surprise people with what he can produce on the bigger stage.



The name Kingsland doesn't quite gel for some reason but these five can all sing and seem to have made some effort to rehearse their chance to get somewhere. Pretty good although I am not sure they're sufficiently different with 1D and UnionJ out there as well as a host of others.



Interesting group with a different sound - strong female lead and well in tune.



These are the guys who were prevented from taking a Judges' Houses round place due to visa problems for one of them. They were good last year and you get the impression that they didn't even think it was worth bothering too much as they'd be put through anyway at this stage. They are clearly talented and, from little we heard, they can sing and they can certainly entertain. Their first test will be on stage. I reckon they'll be fine.



Cute girl who didn't do much at all but there was a voice there and a great personality that is very much 'today'. I was surprised she got through and suspect that Louis sees her in a manufactured girl group. As a soloist, I don't see her proceeding far, however pretty she looks.



This kinda sets the scene for how old the series is - and Sharon Osbourne for that matter. Stephanie auditioned in 2007 at the age of 14 and got all the way to Judges' Houses, with Sharon shown as very sad to let her go. Since then she tells us she has been in the Canary Is and is a professional singer there somewhere. She's good and through.



This group did make the Top 20 many years ago when some company thought they might take on Hanson. It is unusual for this programme to give second chances to people who have already had decent contracts but it looks like they've got one. They sing brilliantly and certainly impressed the judges with all four standing up which is something I don't recall happening in these room-style acapello auditions.

The competition amongst groups is looking hot, though, and these guys, however good, and however much they move Nicole to tears, are a bit dated. If I were Louis, I'd sign them up now and start recording and get an album out for Christmas. It would sell, I'm sure. As for their chances on the X Factor, I'm not so sure, and that could be a sad moment when hopes have been raised so high so soon.