List of Top 64 contestants

TellyMix have the complete list of the last sixty or so. Sixty four, I think. These will be the acts vying to get one of the six seats available for Judges' Houses in each category. So 40 of these names will have to go.

To be honest, I thought some had already been rejected but obviously I misinterpreted the panel's comments.

I think that Mason Noise, Seann Miley Moore and 4th Power will take some beating but there are some names I really don't recall seeing in amongst the others so it may be that we still get some surprises. There are plenty of 'good' performers as well as those I've mentioned but none have really made me say That's a possible winner each time. Kiera Weathers, for instance ws great but faded in her last audition.

I also thought there were two Group categories, from the captions on some publicity items, but perhaps that isn't the case, unless there's to be a surprise five categories and an extra panel person for the shows. No. That's doesn't make much sense.

GIRLS (Rita Ora)

CAITLYN VANBECK
CHARLI BEARD
CHLOE BAKER
CHLOE PAIGE
HAVVA REBKE
JASMINE LEIGH MORRIS
KAREN MAV
KATIE COLEMAN
KELLY MAI WEBB
KIERA WEATHERS
LAUREN MURRAY
LOUISA JOHNSON
LUCY DUFFIELD
MONICA MICHAELS
SHARON ROSE
SOPHIE PLUMB

BOYS (Nick Grimshaw)

BEN CLARK
BRODIE KELLY
CHE CHESTERMAN
DANNY SHARPLES
JAMIE ELDRIDGE
JORDAN LUKE GAGE
JOSH DANIEL
MARTIN HARICH
MASON NOISE
NATHANEAL LANDSKRONER
OLLIE MARLAND
PAPASIDERO
SEANN MILEY MOORE
SIMON LYNCH
TOM BLEASBY
TOM DAVIES

OVERS (Simon Cowell)

ALEX BOYE
ANTON STEPHANS
BUPSI
EBRU
HANNAH MARIE
HOLLY JOHNSON
JENNIFER PHILLIPS
JOSEPH MCCAUL
KERRIE-ANNE PHILLIPS
LOCHEI KUSI GHENT
MAX STONE
NENETH LYONS
SHERILYN HAMILTON SHAW
STEPHANIE MCCOURT
TONATHA RAIHAN
VICKI ANN NASH
ZEN BLYTHE

GROUPS (Cheryl Fernandez-Versini)

ALIEN
BEKLN
CAM AND BRETT
DECIEBELLAS
4TH POWER
GOE
MENN ON POINT
MON AMIE
MY BAD SISTER
PYT
RUMOUR HAS IT
RYDER
SILVER TONE
THE FIRST KINGS
TRIBE

Boot Camp Pt 1

Yes, it's Boot Camp, when 180 or so acts get whittled down to a much lower number. They get housed at a pretty huge pile somewhere in the country and told to sort themselves into groups of five acts. They have to be a mix of categories too, just to make an already awkward and frustrating thing even worse. They show some idiot getting drunk for quite a while which is tedious but fortunately he doesn't get through or affect others' chances. Not a pleasant start to the show and the sort of stuff that we don't need to see. Far better would be some interesting co-operation between some acts or simply do away with the whole 'group' idea as I have been suggesting for years and years.

They say that it is a vital part of being in 'the business', to be able to get on with people but it is rare that they would need to form relationships in a short space of time with those under such pressure as here. Later, once a few acts have been established and have to do something like perform a song together in a 'sing-a-long' slot on a Live Show or on tour then, fair enough, some will have to sing stuff they may dislike or with others they need to pretend to get on with. they will, however, be established at that point, with a salary and all that tends to make it a lot easier to get along and give up a few personal preferences.

I would seriously recommend that they are put into groups and that silly business of wandering around trying to get with others is abandoned for good. It's not particularly good TV and even the actual performances are likely to be pretty average after just one day.

What we get are many repeats of bits of previous performances too, which is a bit annoying unless, I suppose, you missed them before.

There were some excellent individual efforts and some disasters but nothing worth picking out in particular from this crazy round. Next weekend it should be a lot better as they get to choose a song and perform by themselves again and then the real cuts start.

I'd say that there are few boys who stand out, just one male 'Over' whereas there are many girls and older girls who come across very well and also some excellent groups. I can't imagine they'll need to put together a manufactured group this year.

That's it for now. I never really know what to say at this point.

Boot Camp Pt 2

Jo Slater starts with a reasonable-sounding Desperado but mel kicks him out pretty smartly.

Bre Musiq has a strange name but one we'd remember. That was average too. So he doesn't get a look in either.

Ben Quinlan is a cheery Irishman but he's way off-key. Awful. Interesting start to the programme. 'Brutal' says Dermot and even Simon seems a bit surprised. I guess they've set things up this way for better TV.

Jake Quickenden has been here before and I can almost guarantee he'll get through. He does a great job of this audition with A Thousand Years or whatever it was called. He'd rehearsed that well and made sure he would do a good job. I'm pretty sure he has some experience and that showed. Mel dragged out giving him that first seat a bit.

Jordan Morris I didn't remember from before. He was a bit all over the place and I should imagine he'll get the next seat. Yes, he does. Not sure how long he'll stay there.

Danny Dearden did a good job and is number three in the seats.

Geoff Mull is the bald one who looks a lot more than 25 but I didn't rate him. he gets in but I'm not sure how long for.

Charlie Martinez is from the States and is the good-looking one. He did a good job and gets a seat. They may keep him for his appearance - although his singing was pretty reasonable and on par with most we've seen. To be honest they're all much of a muchness and I do not see a potential winner here at all.

Charlie Brown was one of the early favourites. He's another that looks well past 25 but there you go. Must be the new fashion and styles. But there's a problem with tuning - he's way off-key and that was not very good. In fact he was so poor in comparison with what had gone before that you have to wonder whether that wasn't arranged in advance for him to do not so well in exchange for a deal that he'd get a seat. I should't think that. Anyway, he gets a seat.

Jack Walton now is looking at a full set of seats so he has to kick someone out. He will. that was far better than most that went before. Good audition. He gets his place and the American's out. I think I could have predicted that although I don't feel it was deserved. Mel has always struggled with that guy. I would have got rid of Geoff.

Hayden Leeman is the first to do a rock track. I Love Rock 'n Roll is an odd track. He's different but, as Simon said, that wasn't a great performance. I'd put him through in place of Geoff or Jordan as he is more identifiable but whether he gets to the Live Shows is in doubt. He may still get swapped out again, of course.

Amazingly, he takes Charlie Brown's seat. I wasn't expecting that either. That throws my idea of a fix out of the window!

Andrea Faustini sings I Didn't Know My Own Strength. He is a bit odd. Lovely chap. Great voice. He is talented and I guess Mel B has no choice but to put him through. He'll be entertaining and, unlike most of the previous 'entertainers' in the Live Shows, he can sing. There were places where I felt he was in another time and I'm not sure he'll fit the way the programme goes but we'll see. He'll be in and a 'normal' guy will be out. I hope he gets a seat if only to remove one of the average ones. She kicks Hayden out. I can see him being popular with the voters too and, although I'm not sure how he'll handle some of the more modern rounds nor can I actually see him selling albums to the young generation other than 32 year old grannies, it'll be an interesting few weeks while he's around. Justa s long as he doesn't

There's one left and I think Paul Akister will get a seat. He's one of the best singers we've heard. He's been close before and I see him getting close again. I do hope she gets rid of someone average. He's in. The crowd keep telling her to get rid of Geoff. She seems to have ignored them all this time but this time she goes along with them. At last.

I still feel there are some in her group who don't really deserve to be there but as long as the right three hit the Live Shows - or four as one can be brought in by the others then that's OK.

Kiesla performs well if briefly. Simon gives her a seat. I'm not sure about her. She just appears for a few seconds and that's it. Weird.

Scarlett is worried about the words. The audience are so rude. I'm sure someone is goading them. She forgets the words and is left looking very sad. Simon really hasn't any choice. If she messes up like that and doesn't have a back-up plan then so be it.

Ben Haynow is the singing Croydon van driver. Nice chap. He should be fine and my guess is that he is doing a track he's done before. He rocks a great track. Hotel California sounded better the way he did it than the Eagles' version. Really liked that. One of the best I've seen in any of this year's selections.

Raign sings Wicked Game. It's pretty good actually but she isn't the best looking girl in the show and Cheryl really doesn't like her at all. Mel B found it strange. Didn't do anything for Cheryl. Louis loves her. I can see Simon giving her a seat. For a while, I would hope. Who knows? She could become something of a cult if she stays in tune and picks the right numbers.

Stevi Ritchie is surprised that he's still there. He stumbles through I Had The Time Of My Life and has a lot of fun pulling some bird out of the audience. He is a classic Louis Walsh act but really can't sing and Simon surely has to get rid of him. For now he gives him a seat but there's no way he'll be a contender. he can't really sing and will just get known for daddy dancing. God, he'd be worse than Baloney.

Janet Grogan sings Crazy. That wasn't so good but the judges liked her. Everyone gets a seat.

Lizzy Pattison. Nice Wicked Game again but she does the Chris Isaak track straight. Good voice, she's in.

Jay James is someone I don't remember. He has silly trousers and sings a very clever version of the Coldplay number. At least I think it was a Coldplay number. Very passionate and he certainly deserves a seat. Clearly, Stevi has to go. But it's a 'watch this space' moment. Or day, as that's not revealed until Part 3!

Bootcamp Pt 1

Having remarked at how rubbish the production has been so far in this season, and not exactly looking forward to reviewing what is usually the most annoying set of programmes, I have to say that Bootcamp this time has started very well indeed.

200 candidates will be whittled down to a mere 24 to go forward to the Judges' House round over two days, of which we saw the first 24 hours. For about 70 or them that had made their way to the venue, the only good thing was to see JLS live for a few minutes as one-third got sent home. presumably the judges realised that they'd made some mistakes during the audition rounds. We could have told them at the time and saved SYCO a few bob but never mind.

Tulisa appears as a blonde - a distinctly custard tint or that may have been my telly. Nicole is now on board rather more seriously so there's no ex-Spice Girls or a somewhat lame Leona to interrupt debate at this stage.

At the start of the programme we're shown glimpses of all the familiar people which is a pretty good hint as to who we can expect to see more of as the weeks progress. Basically, there's about 130 we've never seen so far and probably never will, apart from a fleeting glimpse in a large room or prancing around on stage.

Gary tells the remaining people that they have 72 hours and a massive digital display starts to count down in tenths of a second rather ominously and, to my mind, pointlessly. We then see him telling them It's been four hours... and the huge display says 57 hrs something or other. Continuity guys just got fired but at least Tulisa's hair is still custard coloured. Louis' hair has changed but that's nothing unusual.

So off we go.

Joe Douglas and Jahmene get through in the first group. Jahmene has been one of the favourites so far but still looks odd in a jacket two sizes too small. maybe the trousers are similarly too small which accounts for the falsetto. He makes a poor job of the audition track but is forgiven by the judges who clearly have him marked down for the live shows. Not so sure about Joe.

A group called From Above  get through next, as do Times Red and the two comprising MK1 now, both of these last two putting on an excellent performance. A group called The Lightbulb Thieves ask why they're not put through and all credit to Nicole for an excellent explanation which put her several steps up in my estimation. She's been good on X Factor USA too last year, if a bit indecisive in the live shows.

Lucy Spraggit scrapes through in her group despite a lousy performance but, again, she's almost got a ticket for the live shows too.

There is then a string of people, most of whom we've seen plenty of before, flying through. Amy Mottram, Leanne Robinson, Harriet, Maisy Sylvester, Jade Ellis, Carla Jaye, Eli Cripps and Melanie McCabe. I'm really not at all sure about a couple fo those names who were entirely new to me and probably you too. My guess is we don't see them for long.

two more groups fight it out: GMD3 and Triple J. Both were excellent and it's beginning to look quite difficult for whoever has to choose which three will be going through in that category. Cue some heavy disappointment scenes for a few weeks' time.

Britt Love beats both the annoying Collagen and the nice Deirdre Lawlor. I am very glad not to have Collagen's collagen and cleavage on the screen any more. But why give the annoying and untalented girl yet more air time afterwards?

There is then a slew of rejections, but no-one we've seen before so nothing of interest there. Gary was very firm and, understandably, getting a bit fed up with some pretty useless performances. Now I know that it is really crazy to expect people to work together and learn something they may not even think suits them or like in a short time but several really appeared not to have made any effort at all. If they really talented then they can get away with that but they weren't, and didn't, we,,, mostly they didn't.

Finally two more groups come along and really excel. Rough Copy and Mr Xoto or something like that were very good indeed. Unfortunately, you'll find that Rough Copy, who might have been dead certs to appear in the live shows, get cut as one of them doesn't have a valid passport. Duh!

I'm thinking that we haven't seen many decent boys go through yet. Plenty of Overs, Girls and even Groups but not many for the Boys  category.

Poisonous Twin join the groups going through and could add some fun to the live shows if Louis gets to choose. they don't really deserve a place on their singing although they're streets ahead of most of last year's.

Finally we get some in the Boys category. Jo Whelan is the only one out of five to get through. Then James Vickery and another favourite and potential winner James Arthur show how this stage should be handled with some excellent performances, followed by an extraordinary trio of gays who could be a group if someone wanted. Rylan and Gathan are joined by an odd-looking new guy to the screen, Octavio. Gathan is pretty full of himself and doesn't associate much with the other two but nevertheless they manage to pull off an impressive show of talent although I reckon Octavio's days are numbered and is there really room on the screen for both Rylan and Gathan. That'll be an interesting battle to watch.

Amongst the girls, now, the  very reliable Hayley and a new girl Nicola Marie, get through nicely. More boys in the shape of Jake Quickenden, and Adam Burridge are easily through but poor Robbie Hance, one of my favourites and who I saw as a definite live show contestant, simply tries to wing it and fails. I was really impressed, though, by his honesty and lack of show. He simply made a sign of having shot himself, lay down the microphone and walked off quietly. Very disappointing and if I were the judges I would still rush after him and give him another chance.

In Xtra Factor we see some more successes: Brad and Shelley and someone who appears to be called 2BStream join the Overs with some good vocals particularly from an elderly and not exactly pretty Shelley. 2BStream is a black guy with a very high voice.

Eddie Spring and Mitch Summers go out on the tiles and hit the sack at 4am. Eddie has a great personality and I get the impression he's extremely bright from some of the responses he gives. he's bound to annoy a lot of viewers but I'd like to see this Jagger-esque figure in the live shows. He'll either sink or swim. My guess is that he'll swim. Anyway, for all that, his performance is great but his drinking companion's isn't. So Mitch is quite surprisingly out but he's only got Eddie and himself to blame. They perform on stage with the much straighter Kian who is also through and hoping he can get on on his own from here.

We get glimpses of Clapz Shazzahne, or whatever his silly name is, who chats up anything in a skirt. Mia & The Moon, who should get through just because of their name in my view, three groups Array, LMNY and Electric Punx. Not sure whether any of the last three get through.

Someone with a name like Corm Malloy is though. No idea who he is and then we get to see that four very, very reliable performers are safely through, and likely live show contenders too, being Carolynne Poole, Melanie Masson, Christopher Maloney and Kye Sones.

I think I've counted 40 getting through so far. That makes about 60 that didn't and still 30 or so that we haven't seen at all. Maybe tomorrow?

We'll see. Or not, as the case may be. My feeling is that we will have seen the winner today. But I'm not making any bets yet!