X Factor’s Rebecca Ferguson announces tour dates

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X Factor runner up, Rebecca Ferguson, has today unveiled a 14 date tour which will see her perform across the UK during February and March next year. The UK tour will support the Liverpudlian singer’s debut album release, Heaven.

Rebecca Ferguson’s tour will start in Manchester in February before playing 14 dates throughout the country, finishing up in London in mid March.

The 25-year-old singer will also return to the stage that launched her career this weekend when she performs the first single release from her new album, Nothing’s Real But Love, on the result show on Sunday evening. The debut single is due to get its release next week, with this weekend’s performance timed to support the track as it hits the shops.

The mother-of-two has been speaking about the process of creating her first ever album saying she insisted that she be involved in writing her own songs. Rebecca described how she sat down with her record label Sony and argued that for her to be seen as a credible artist, she needed to write her on material, and so the singer has been busy writing and recording for the album, Heaven, over the last year. The finished article is due for release on December 5th.

As well as the tour announcement and the first live performance of her new single on this weekend’s X Factor, Rebecca has also released two videos of her performing new tracks, Shoulder to Shoulder and Fairytale, both of which are available to view online now.

Frankie Cocozza exits the X Factor after breaking competition rules

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Controversial X Factor contestant, Frankie Cocozza, has been booted out of the show with immediate effect after he was found to have broken the rules of the competition.

The 18-year-old antics on and off the stage have finally caught up with him with X Factor bosses showing him the red card this afternoon.

TV regulator Ofcom was reportedly called in to investigate the wannabe’s behaviour after receiving over 100 complaints from viewers with many arguing that the teenager from Brighton was seen to be glamorising alcohol with footage aired on the Saturday night episode showing the youngster partying till 6am, while in a separate incident Frankie was seen mouthing an expletive as he celebrated not being voted off on Sunday night’s results show.

However media reports have emerged this afternoon which suggest that the wannabe rocker’s swift exit from the show came about as a result of him breaking a “golden rule” although the X Factor has failed to elaborate.

Aside from his off stage behaviour, the 18-year-old has come in for criticism recently for his lacklustre performances on the X Factor, with his most recent performance prompting boos from the audience. Frankie had reportedly told bosses he would exit the show of his own accord if he had of found himself in the bottom two on Sunday night.

In an official statement from the party loving 18-year-old, Frankie apologies to his mentor Gary Barlow, his fellow contestants and fans who voted for him, adding that his life has gone “out of control” while being on the show, and finishing by saying he doesn’t believe he deserves his place in the competition any more.

It’s not known if a dropped contestant will be called up to fill Frankie’s space on the show, although an official announcement is due to be made on the coming live show on Saturday night.

Kelly Rowland in line for role on X Factor judging panel?

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It’s all change for this year’s judging panel on the UK version of the X Factor with former Destiny’s Child singer, Kelly Rowland, being the latest name linked to the show.

The 30-year-old American singer has reportedly been in talks with the hit ITV show to take over Cheryl Cole’s place on the talent show, with insiders saying she’s likely to sign the contract over the weekend. With the first batch of auditions due to start on June 1st, ITV will be up against it to have the judging panel in place in time for the first contestant.

In a recent interview Kelly described the X Factor as an “amazing show” adding that she always agreed with Simon Cowell’s view on contestants.   

Last week it emerged that Danni Minogue would not be returning to the X Factor due to commitments with Australia’s Got Talent, and Simon Cowell has been replaced by Take That singer and songwriter Gary Barlow having signed a deal reportedly worth £1.5 million.

Louis Walsh will be the only surviving judge from last year’s line up on the news series, although many are hoping Cheryl Cole will return to the series after she was sensationally axed from the American version of the show amid fears the viewers couldn’t understand her strong Geordie accent.

N-Dubz star Tulsa has also been mentioned in recent newspaper reports as a possible replacement for Danni Minogue on the judging panel, however there’s been no confirmation over whether the 22-year-old will be joining Louis and Gary on this series as yet.

Dannii Minogue reveals she almost quit X Factor

Dannii wins Ultimate TV Personality Award
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Dannii Minogue

The X Factor Judge Dannii Minogue revealed in an exclusive newspaper interview that she almost quit the hit ITV show after an on-air row left her shaken. Dannii and fellow judge Louis Walsh argued during a live Saturday night show as millions of viewers watched events unfold.

The spat was sparked by a fight over a song; Dannii chose a Take That number for her act Rachel Hylton which Louis had ear marked for his boy band JLS. The bust-up left the 37-year -old singer in tears but was forced to carry on through her emotions and introduce her act to the stage.

Dannii, the sister of pop princess Kylie Minogue, described how the argument bubbled over off set too, putting pay to any rumours suggesting it was a publicity stunt. She said “It was absolutely horrible. I would never want to go through that again or see anyone else through it.”

This wasn’t the first time the judges made the headlines instead of the acts. Sharon Osborne famously threw a glass of water over Louis Walsh after the pair had words. You’d have thought the Irish Judge would have learnt his lesson after receiving a soaking from Mrs Osborne but it seems he just can’t help himself.

Despite her ordeal Dannii is back on the judging panel and looking forward to the new season of the X Factor which is due to hit our screens at the end of this month.