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

May 27, 2011 By Carl Wheeler
kelly-rowland

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Minogue would not be returning to the X Factor due to commitments with Australia’s Got Talent, and Simon Cowell has been replaced by Take That singer and songwriter Gary Barlow having signed a deal reportedly worth £1.5 million.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

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Simon Cowell eyes up Obama’s limousine

May 27, 2011 By Kate Owen
the-beast-limo

X Factor boss Simon Cowell was so impressed by President Barack Obama’s armoured limo during his recent visit to the UK and Ireland that the music mogul has reportedly asked to have his own bomb proof Cadillac especially made.

Simon Cowell’s spokesperson, the well known celebrity publicist Max Clifford, spoke out this week to confirm that the multi millionaire has enquired into the possibility of commissioning his own armoured limousine, just like the President of America.

Obama’s limo, known as The Beast, was shipped over to the UK from the States ahead of the President’s recent visit to the British Isles. The limo was made especially for the President and features a whole raft of high tech safety details including an armoured fuel tank, puncture resistant tyres, bullet proof glass, and much of the vehicle is covered in military grade armour.

If Simon Cowell has already placed hire order for his very own Beast limo, he’ll have quite a while to wait as the limousine will take months, maybe even up to a year, to complete.

Despite offering a level safety unrivalled by other limos, the Beast did get into a spot of bother during the President’s trip to Ireland when the Cadillac got stuck on a speed bump. Luckily, Obama’s blushes were spared as he wasn’t actually travelling onboard at the time.

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Elton John blasts “boring” talent shows like the X-Factor

October 19, 2010 By Trudi Johnson
elton-john

Music legend Elton John didn’t hold back when it came to revealing his true feeling about TV talent shows and modern pop music in a recent magazine interview.

The veteran singer songwriter branded talent shows like the X-Factor “boring” and admitted he’d even turned down the chance to appear on the US version of the show, American Idol. The 63-year-old singer admitted that if he had sat on the judging panel he “wouldn’t have lasted” due to his strong opinions.

However the Candle in the Wind singer does believe that the hit ITV show has unearthed some great acts, although he believes the show winners walk a very fine line between success and failure where the release of one bad record could spell the end of their career.

When it comes to carving out a successful career in show business, the key to longevity, according to Elton, is “hard graft.” The singer believes TV talent shows offer a quick-fix to stardom which can easily fizzle out.

On the subject of modern pop music, the world renowned singer is equally as opinionated as he declared, “songwriters today are pretty awful” revealing that his main issue with contemporary pop music is that in his opinion, “everything sounds the same.”

However on a more positive note, Elton revealed he’s a big fan of the work of Lady Gaga, Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen as he applauds their ability to create their own music and unique sound.

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Simon Cowell considering a smaller role on Britain’s Got Talent

April 19, 2010 By Trudi Johnson

Cowell could be about to give up full time judging duties on TV talent show

Music mogul Simon Cowell has revealed in a recent interview that he’s considering taking a smaller role on the ITV talent search Britain’s Got Talent.

The 50-year-old currently sits as a judge on the hit show but says he is tiring of the time spent on the road as the programme moves around the country holding auditions in different cities across the UK.

The multi-millionaire is reportedly planning to tie the knot later this year, so there is the suggestion that Cowell wants to spend more time with his soon-to-be-wife Mezghan Hussain and less time in the limelight. The straight-talking judge also wants to concentrate on launching the X-Factor over in the US.

The new series of Britain’s Got Talent aired over the weekend and the audience and the contestants were given a taster of what life on the show would be like without Cowell as the judge called in sick for one of the auditions. X-Factor judge Louis Walsh was roped in to cover for sick Cowell and the show carried on without any hitches.

Simon says he’s not interested in quitting the show altogether, but he is considering cutting down his workload on the programme and maybe stepping in as a judge during the semi-finals instead. The 4th series of the hit show, which has discovered acts such as Susan Boyle and Paul Potts, kicked off last Saturday.

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Jedward get second chance at stardom as mentor Louis Walsh signs them up

December 4, 2009 By Carl Wheeler
Irish Jedward twins sign deal with Louis Walsh
Irish Jedward twins sign deal with Louis Walsh

Irish Jedward twins sign deal with Louis Walsh

Controversial X-Factor contestants John and Edward have received the news that will be music to their ears, if not to everyone else’s. Louis Walsh mentored the Jedward twin’s on the show, and championed them from the start, has now singed a deal to manage the 18-year-old boys’ careers.

Since the duo were voted off the X-Factor rumours have been rife about the possibility to the twins working on TV projects. Louis has said that he is now looking into the possibility of a record deal for the boys, and also some TV work for the future, although he added it was too early to reveal any details.

John and Edward enjoyed a love/hate relationship with the UK public and also the X-Factor judging panel, although no one can deny they brought a great deal of media attention to the show. Simon Cowell, who initially admitted to disliking the twins, conceded towards the end of the boys’ stint on the programme that they were entertaining. However the pair finally bid farewell to the show which shot them to fame when they found themselves in the bottom two with Olly Murs.

It is unusual for X-Factor contestants to be allowed to sign a contract as all 12 finalists are managed by Modest Management until the end of the show. However Louis Walsh has successfully negotiated an “amicable agreement” with the company. Now he will co-manage the twins along with Ashley Tabor, who is the CEO of broadcasting company, Global Group.

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The Afro has left the building as Jamie Archer is voted off the X-Factor

November 16, 2009 By Dez Rowley
Jamie Afro exits the X-Factor
Jamie Afro exits the X-Factor

Jamie Afro exits the X-Factor

Simon Cowell has lost his first act after Jamie “Afro” Archer left the competition last night. For the fourth time this series the judges failed to reach a decision over who should leave between teenager Lloyd Daniels and the 33 year-old rocker and the vote was taken back to deadlock.   

Jamie seemed to take the news in his stride and said he believed this “It’s not the end, it’s the beginning.” His stint on the show hasn’t been without problems after a number of disagreements with his mentor Simon Cowell. Jamie was also rumoured to have been on the brink of walking away from the show after he forced to turn down an offer from Jon Bon Jovi to tour with his band.

The Bon Jovi front man approached the 33-year-old after being impressed by him when the band performed on an X-Factor results show. However Jamie’s contract with the ITV show prevented him from taking up the offer.

In a rare moment of humility, Simon Cowell admitted he “may” have let his act down with the song he chose for the rock singer. Jamie had previously been forced to learn a new song days before a live Saturday night performance on two occasions after his mentor changed his mind about his song choice.

As the curtain went down on Jamie Archer’s X-Factor dream, Simon Cowell had some positive words for the singer saying he was certain he had “a great future ahead” With Jamie defiantly adding that he plans to “make a record and get out there and play.”

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Mariah Carey’s special limo requests

November 16, 2009 By Kate Owen
Mariah Carey's limo demands
Mariah Carey's limo demands

Mariah Carey's limo demands

Mariah Carey more than lived up to her diva credentials this weekend after a disagreement over her chauffeur driven limo. The chart topping songstress is in the UK ahead of her appearance on the X-Factor next weekend and also to promote her new album, Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel.

The singer recorded her performance for the X-Factor yesterday but not before a lengthy delay whilst an acceptable chariot was found for the star. Initially a top class Mercedes complete with a chauffeur was sent to take Mariah to the studios, but this wasn’t deemed exclusive enough for a star of Mariah’s stature and was then replaced by a £250,000 Mercedes Maybach.

However the Maybach limo was also rejected and then, third-time-lucky, a Rolls Royce Phantom was dispatched. The vehicle was even provided free of charge by the London Motor Museum. Despite being a super luxurious vehicle, the limo wasn’t quite up to scratch for Miss Carey. The limo was then decorated with vinyl graphics of butterflies in a nod to the singer’s 1997 album entitled butterfly.

But another glitch raised its head when Mariah’s management ordered the images be taken down after they complained that the London Motor Museum was gaining free advertising after they added their name along with the butterfly graphics.

Hours later the US superstar emerged from her room in the Dorchester Hotel where she was greeted by a sea of fans and photographers. Mariah’s appearance on the X-Factor has already caused controversy after she pulled out of a provisional booking to perform on rival show Strictly Come Dancing, on the orders of Simon Cowell.

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Rachel Adedeji leaves the X-Factor but gives her prediction for this year’s winner

November 3, 2009 By Carl Wheeler
Rachel as she learns her fate on X-Factor on Sunday with her mentor Dannii Minogue
Rachel as she learns her fate on X-Factor on Sunday with her mentor Dannii Minogue

Rachel as she learns her fate on X-Factor on Sunday with her mentor Dannii Minogue

18-year-old Rachel Adedeji is the latest hopeful to get booted out of the X-Factor after losing out in the sing-off to Lloyd Daniels on Sunday night’s results show. Despite the obvious heartache at leaving the show, Rachel was able to give her predictions for who she thinks will be crowned the X-Factor winner this year.

Rachel believes that South Shield’s warbler Joe McElderry holds the best chance of clinching the coveted title this year, which will be music to Cheryl Cole’s ears as she is mentoring the youngster in the competition. Simon Cowell will be less thrilled to hear Rachel’s prediction as he has high hopes of producing the winner, and the early signs are good as he’s the only mentor to not lose a single act so far.

Speaking about Joe, Rachel said, “He has star quality and it will show.” Adding, “He is incredible.” Rather worryingly Rachel also believe the most controversial act in the show, the Irish twins John and Edward (dubbed Jedward by the tabloids) stand a very good chance of winning too. On the twins Rachel says, “They have a great chance and they are great guys. Simon will like them eventually.”

After finding herself in the bottom two on three occasions, Rachel’s time on the hit ITV1 show came to and after battling it out against Welsh singer, Lloyd Daniels last weekend. When the judges failed to reach a decision the public votes were called to determine who should leave. Rachel was named as the act with the fewest votes and left the competition.

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Gordon Ramsey in cosmetic surgery confession

October 29, 2009 By Trudi Johnson
Ramsey says he has tried Botox

Ramsey says he has tried Botox

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey has this week owned up to having undergone plastic surgery, but he claims he did it on the advice of music mogul, Simon Cowell.

The hot-headed chef said the X-Factor judge suggested he have Botox filler injections, which cost approximately £400 a jab, in his chin to plump out the deep crevices after making it big in America. However it seems Gordon wasn’t prepared for just how painful the procedure was and admitted that it really hurt.

The admission comes after a spokesperson for Gordon denied he had undergone any kind of cosmetic surgery in May of last year. The official comment from Ramsey’s people was ‘Gordon would be the first person to mercilessly take the p*** out of anyone that has had surgery.’

Gordon Ramsey is known for his well-lived-in-face but he said he could no longer fool himself into believing that his wrinkles were “laughter lines” as his mother had told him and instead, decided to do something about it.

The revelation came after an interview with Radio Times were Gordon spoke openly about the last 12 months which he described as “a year from hell.” His restaurants came in for a kicking from the media after it was revealed that some of his ingredients were not prepared in his restaurants, plus he came under attack himself after rumors began circulating that he’d had an affair. He admitted himself that he’s taken quite a beating but says he plans to “come back twice as strong.”

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The second group bites the dust as Miss Frank leave X-Factor

October 26, 2009 By Kate Owen
Girl group Miss Frank bow out of the X-Factor
Girl group Miss Frank bow out of the X-Factor

Girl group Miss Frank bow out of the X-Factor

In a shock result on last night’s results show on the X-Factor, the bookies’ favourite Danyl Johnson and girl group Miss Frank found themselves singing for survival. The judges struggled to come to a decision and in the end, Cheryl Cole brought it back to the public vote after saying she was “confused” by the situation and thought it best to leave this one up to the public.

A glum looking Miss Frank were announced as the act with the least number of votes and made their X-Factor exit. It comes after the girls gave what was arguably their best performance on the show, with all four judges giving positive feedback. Simon Cowell was openly shocked when his act Danyl Johnson was announced as being in the bottom two saying “I think it’s a joke that you’re in the position you’re in, a total joke.”

Despite entering the competition as solo artists, the girls were urged to form a band on the judges’ recommendation after being impressed with their combined audition during boot camp where they sang as group as part of the task. Although their X-Factor journey has come to an end, Miss Frank have vowed to stay together and continue to pursue their dream of a professional singing career.

Miss Frank are the second out of three acts mentored by Louis Walsh to be evicted from the show; now the only hope Louis has of winning the competition is with the controversial Irish twins, John and Edward.

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