Union J ditch their old manager and sign with Louis Walsh! TOP 3 visit their hometowns. Nicole Scherzinger to quit X Factor? Simon has no plans to launch Chris Maloney’s career.
WORLD EXCLUSIVE: Union J sign new management deal with Louis Walsh! #CelebNews
X Factor boyband Union J have signed a new Management deal with Louis Walsh.
In a shock move, Jaymi, JJ, George and Josh have parted ways with Blair Dreelan, who put the band – originally called Triple J and without member George – together.
Louis has spent weeks telling viewers Union J are “the next big boyband” and believes he can work the same magic that he cast over his previous groups Westlife, Boyzone and Girls Aloud.
A source, close to another of this year’s X Factor acts, told Celebritain “Louis is so excited about Union J, he genuinely believes they can be as big as One Direction and The Wanted but he needs control over them; having another Manager involved just wouldn’t work”.
The band are set to confirm the news offically this weekend.
Read more: CelebNews
Boy band Union J leave after X Factor receiving least amount of public votes in tense semi-final
Boy band Union J were voted off The X Factor on Sunday night after receiving the least public votes.
Their exit meant James Arthur, Jahmene Douglas and Christopher Maloney will compete in next weekend’s grand final.
Accepting their fate, bandmember Josh Cuthbert said: ‘I’m so happy with how well we’ve done. We’ve got so much to thank the X Factor for.’
Read more: The Daily Mail
‘The show wouldn’t do well if Chris won’: Union J issue public warning against Christopher Maloney winning The X Factor Final
Now that they’ve said goodbye to the chance of competing in The X Factor final, Union J have publicly spoken out against Christopher Maloney winning the competition.
The boy band, consisting of Jamie Hamblett, 24, George Shelley 19, Josh Cuthbert 20, Jaymi Hensley, 22 think it would damage the reputation of the show if the Liverpudlian came out on top.
‘I don’t think it would do amazingly well for the show if Chris won.’ Jamie said.
Read more: The Daily Mail
‘X Factor’ Union J: ‘We can’t compare with One Direction yet’ – video
Eliminated X Factor act Union J have admitted that they can’t compare with One Direction yet.
The boyband, who were voted out in last night’s (December 2) semi-final, said they are more focused on “getting their first song right” than trying to beat their rivals, who themselves finished third in X Factor’s 2010 series.
Read more: Digital Spy
Westlife’s Kian Egan: ‘Union J don’t have One Direction’s spark’
Kian Egan has admitted that he prefers One Direction over Union J.
The Westlife star confessed that he doesn’t believe the most recent X Factor boyband have the same energy as their 2010 counterparts.
“I’ve really enjoyed Union J, but I don’t think they’ve got the same spark as One Direction had,” he said.
“I think they can definitely have a career off the back of the show, but when I watch them I don’t get the same buzz I got off One Direction. They’re really good singers though.”
Read more: Digital Spy
The smile that says she’s got two contestants in the final! X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger grins like a Cheshire cat
Nicole Scherzinger may not have been the cream of the crop on US X Factor but she has certainly made up for lost time in the UK show – getting both her semi-finalists through to the last show of the series.
Perhaps that’s why the solo singer looked like the Pussycat Doll who got the cream as she sauntered into Radio 1 on Monday morning.
Wrapped up in a warm furry coat the 34-year-old couldn’t hide her Cheshire cat grin as she headed into the London studios to promote her acts James Arthur, 24, and Jahmene Douglas, 22, ahead of Sunday’s final.
Read more: The Daily Mail
Behind the scenes at the nail-biting X Factor semi-final: Christopher Maloney prays for success… while Jahmene Douglas gets a last-minute haircut
It was the most tense week of The X Factor to date, with the four remaining acts learning if they were through to fight for the winner’s title at next weekend’s grand final.
And with the nerves undoubtedly in full force, a series of up close and personal behind-the-scenes shots from Sunday night’s episode show the different ways the remaining acts coped with the pressure of appearing in the tense semi-final.
Christopher Maloney chose the moments leading up to the nail-biting results show to enjoy some alone time and a spot of reflection, with the Liverpudlian singer closing his eyes and appearing to pray and he prepared to step out on stage.
Read more: The Daily Mail
Is there any point competing? Tulisa loses fashion battle to flawless Nicole Scherzinger on The X Factor… AGAIN!
Nicole Scherzinger outshone her fellow judge Tulisa Contostavlos on Sunday night’s result show of The X Factor.
Stepping out as the picture of elegance, Nicole looked flawless in a black floor length organza gown.
Once again the 34-year-old showed Tulisa, 24, how it’s done when taking to the spotlight.
Read more: The Daily Mail
Tulisa goes back to her ‘urban roots’ as she wears a hoodie to perform new song Sight of You on the X Factor
Tulisa went back to her urban roots on Sunday night’s X Factor show.
The self-proclaimed female boss took to the stage and performed her new single Sight Of You, while wearing a hoodie.
Tulisa, 24, received some mixed reviews about her performance but the public were pretty unanimous about her rather urban outfit.
Read more: The Daily Mail
‘You’re as funny as Aids’: X Factor finalist James Arthur in Twitter row with comedian Frankie Boyle
X Factor finalist James Arthur became embroiled in a three-day Twitter row with comedian Frankie Boyle.
The Middlesborough singer, 24, hit back after getting fed-up of reading the 40-year-old Scot’s offensive tweets about him and the ITV show.
After Frankie likened him to a ‘tramp’, James tweeted: ‘Poor old man making yet more s**t jokes about X Factor because he knows that’s the only way he can get attention any more #prat.’
Read more: The Daily Mail
The ‘amazing little princess’ who can’t see, walk, talk or feed herself – but stole the hearts of the X Factor audience with her smile
The three finalists of The X Factor were chosen yesterday in another night of inflated egos and musical melodrama. But it was a six-year-old from Bristol who was the real star of the show.
Tilly-May Somerville featured on the results programme in a segment revealing the charity work that is supported by sales of the TV show’s Christmas single.
The youngster suffers from a condition known as agenesis of the corpus callosum, which meant her brain didn’t form properly and at six months she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and epilepsy. Tilly-May is also blind and can’t walk, talk or feed herself.
Read more: The Daily Mail
‘X Factor’ Lucy Spraggan plans to release debut album in March
Lucy Spraggan has revealed that she is hoping to release her debut studio album in March.
The X Factor contestant explained that she has begun working on the LP since being forced to leave the ITV competition due to illness.
Read more: Digital Spy
Now he’s got an Xtra job: Rylan Clark makes his debut presenting on Daybreak as entertainment editor
His time on The X Factor may be well and truly over, but Rylan Clark’s showbiz career has now stepped up a notch.
The wannabe singer made his TV presenting debut on ITV1’s Daybreak on Monday morning.
And he managed to successfully give Lorraine Kelly and Aled Jones the latest showbiz news in place of usual entertainments host Richard Arnold, who is taking a break for a week following his stint on Strictly Come Dancing.
Read more: The Daily Mail
It’s not been a good week for her: Tulisa’s car is impounded as it’s revealed her debut album reaches just number 17 in midweek chart
It’s not been a good week for X Factor judge Tulisa Contostavlos.
Not only is she entering the singing contest’s final this weekend without any acts to mentor but her debut album has only managed to reach number 17 in the midweek chart.
And to add insult to injury, on Wednesday morning Tulisa would have been left fuming once more after her chauffeur-driven car was impounded after it was parked in a taxi bay outside her hotel.
Read more: The Daily Mail
‘Of course I fancy you’: Caroline Flack’s ‘TV husband’ Olly Murs opens up to her as they pose up in retro sixties-style photo shoot
She’s previously referred to him as her ‘TV husband’ while rumours have circulated that they’re more than just friends ever since they signed up to present the Xtra Factor together.
And now Olly Murs has finally opened up about his feelings for his co-host Caroline Flack.
The singer, who has recently released album Right Place Right Time, has revealed that he does in fact fancy Caroline but he doesn’t think anything will ever happen between them.
Read more: The Daily Mail
X Factor fever hits No.10 Downing Street as Christopher, James and Jahmene perform at tree lighting ceremony
Prime Minister David Cameron has made no secret he’s a fan of The X Factor.
So when it came to providing some music at the annual Downing Street tree-lighting ceremony, he looked to the ITV talent show to provide the entertainment.
After learning they were in the final on Sunday night, Christopher Maloney, James Arthur and Jahmene Douglas continued their exciting week by performing for the PM.
Read more: The Daily Mail
Biker chick Nicole Scherzinger steals the spotlight from James Arthur at his home coming as she slips into some leathers
It was supposed to be James Arthur’s grand homecoming but the X Factor hopeful was upstaged by his own mentor.
Nicole Scherzinger unwittingly took centre stage as she rolled into Middlesbrough wearing a rather racy biker outfit on Tuesday morning.
The former Pussycat Doll, 34, looked on fire as she slipped her svelte body into some leathers and jumped on a motorbike.
Read more: The Daily Mail
Don’t Cha love me Middlesbrough! Nicole Scherzinger upstages James Arthur onstage in tiny leather skirt
She has played gigs across the globe in some of the best arenas, so perhaps Nicole Scherzinger was just a bit confused to end up in Middlesbrough Town Hall supporting James Arthur.
But she threw her back into it and the now solo singer couldn’t help but upstage her X Factor protege onstage in a tiny leather skirt and a modified Middlesbrough football shirt gathered around her tiny waist.
In what looked like a rather energetic performance from the 34-year-old, Nicole swung her jet-black hair around the stage while heartthrob James stood clutching his guitar and shooting her looks of respect.
Read more: The Daily Mail
‘Tea with Me Nan’: Christopher Maloney is mobbed by neighbours as he returns home to Liverpool to visit gran Pat
Controversial X Factor finalist Christopher Maloney was reunited with his beloved grandmother Pat O’Brien at home in Liverpool today.
Joined by his mentor Gary Barlow, the pair were mobbed by locals as they arrived on the doorsteps of ‘Me Nan’s’ home in the suburb of Brook Green.
The pensioner, who is frequently cited as the reason for Christopher’s X Factor journey, had laid on a spread of sandwiches, sausage rolls and eclairs for her grandson and Take That singer.
Read more: The Daily Mail
His biggest fan! Christopher Maloney plays sold-out gig in hometown … while his nan cheers him on from the front row
Christopher Maloney has spoken out about the support he gets from his grandmother Pat on the X Factor many times.
So when the controversial finalist played a sold-out gig in Liverpool on Tuesday night, of course his beloved nan sat front row to cheer him on.
The Scouse singer was joined by his X Factor mentor Gary Barlow as he took to the stage to perform in front of a 2000 strong crowd at the Liverpool Empire Theatre.
Read more: The Daily Mail
Swindon’s got The X Factor! Jahmene Douglas pays a visit to his hometown with Nicole Scherzinger… and first stop is ASDA
He’s come a long way since his days of stacking shelves at his local branch of ASDA.
But Jahmene Douglas made sure to stop off at his former place of work as he made a triumphant return to his hometown, Swindon, Wiltshire, on Wednesday.
Paying a visit ahead of his appearance in this weekend’s X Factor final, the 21-year-old singer brought along a very special visitor in the form of his mentor, Nicole Scherzinger.
Read more: The Daily Mail
‘I’m yet to believe in myself’: X-Factor finalist Jahmene Douglas admits he still struggles with self-esteem… despite stunning vocal talent
After an explosive X-Factor semi-final last Saturday night, one would think Jahmene Douglas would be sitting pretty, waiting for his very possible win on the prime time show.
But the timid star of the reality series has confessed he is anything but relaxed.
Whilst the other contestants were off visiting their home towns, Jahmene joined Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby at the This Morning studio to talk about his journey on the X-Factor, family life and his new role as ambassador for domestic violence charity, Women’s Aid.
Read more: The Daily Mail
‘Tulisa and Louis have given me such a hard time’: Christopher Maloney claims he has had the ‘worst’ X Factor experience of ANY contestant
He has been one of the most controversial contestants in this year’s X Factor, receiving mostly negative comments from the judging panel and being booed on an almost weekly basis.
But Christopher Maloney has vowed to prove Tulisa Contostavlos and Louis Walsh wrong at this weekend’s final, claiming the pair have given him ‘such a hard time’.
And it isn’t just Tulisa and Louis who have had to bear the brunt of the Liverpudlian hopeful’s rant, with the 34-year-old singer maintaining he has had the ‘worst time’ out of any other X Factor contestant to date.
Read more: The Daily Mail
‘I’m a great lover… Tulisa is definitely my type’: James Arthur reveals his secret crush on X Factor judge
Since shooting to fame on The X Factor, there’s no doubt James Arthur has cemented his standing as a heartthrob – despite previously thinking he was ‘too ugly’ to be a star.
And the 24-year-old singer has now opened up on his ladies’ man reputation, admitting while he is ‘trying’ to behave himself at present he is enjoying the freedom of being single.
The aspiring star – who is competing against Christopher Maloney and Jahmene Douglas in The X Factor final this weekend – explained his on-stage passion translates in the bedroom, as he is a ‘great lover’.
Read more: The Daily Mail
The bravest (and nicest) X Factor finalist EVER! Jahmene Douglas talks about watching his mother being tortured by his father with a blowtorch
There’s something special about Jahmene Douglas. Something you can’t quite put your finger on but everyone seems to sense it.
We’re sitting in The X Factor studio’s canteen, where the judges and contestants mill around before rehearsals.
Gary Barlow walks past. Stops. Places two hands on Jahmene’s shoulders. ‘Hello, you.’ His affection for this shy 21-year-old is writ large on his face. Louis Walsh, James Arthur (this year’s favourite) and several backstage crew are also drawn to Jahmene like teenage girls to a boy band.
Read more: The Daily Mail
It’s a gran final
Army of nans voting cheesy Chris to glory
CHEESY singer Christopher Maloney is being powered towards glory in this weekend’s X Factor final — by an army of NANS.
Grey-haired fans turned out in force for his homecoming gig in Liverpool last night.
And many are believed to be voting for Christopher, 34, who is show supremo Simon Cowell’s worst nightmare to win the ITV contest.
Christopher performed in front of 1,500 people at the Liverpool Empire.
A large majority were pensioners — with insiders claiming the average age of the audience was 82.
Read more: The Sun
Dermot O’Leary: I’d pay to see Jahmene, James… and Ella
The X Factor host snubs Christopher Maloney ahead of this weekend’s final
X FACTOR presenter Dermot O’Leary has dealt a massive blow to Christopher Maloney in the run-up to this weekend’s final – by declaring that his rivals, James Arthur and Jahmene Douglas, and reject Ella Henderson are the only three contestants he’d PAY to watch.
Read more: The Sun
Christopher Maloney: My winner’s single will surprise people
CHRISTOPHER Maloney thinks X Factor fans will be “very surprised” by his winner’s single.
The Liverpudlian, who along with fellow finalists James Arthur and Jahmene Douglas has already recorded the track that will be released if he is victorious this weekend, thinks viewers will be shocked by his version.
He said: “If I’m lucky enough to win, I’ve recorded the winner’s single, which is for charity.
“You’ll be very surprised when you listen to it. If I get through to the grand final on Sunday I’ll get to sing it.”
Former cruise ship singer Christopher will only get to perform the song, which is being kept a closely-guarded secret, if he makes it into the final two.
Read more: The Sun
Nicole: I’ll quit X Factor
Judge’s new pop bid
NICOLE Scherzinger has dealt X Factor bosses a hammer blow — by threatening to quit the show and reboot her own pop career.
The former Pussycat Doll, 34, said that getting two of her acts — James Arthur and Jahmene Douglas — into the final would be the perfect exit strategy.
She said: “I’m really glad I did the show. I don’t know if I’ll come back next year. End on a high, right?”
Read more: The Sun
X Directory: Simon Cowell buzzing with plans for two X Factor finalists but not Christopher Maloney
The mogul is solely focussed on launching the careers of James Arthur and Jahmene Douglas and does not even think about Chris
Simon Cowell’s hotline to his X Factor judges has been buzzing… but not about Christopher Maloney.
The US-based music mogul is solely focussed on launching the careers of finalists James Arthur, 24, and Jahmene Douglas, 22, and does not even mention Chris when he rings.
Judge Louis Walsh revealed yesterday: “Simon is in America working his own show.
“I spoke to him this week and I know he loves James and Jahmene but I don’t remember him talking about Chris, no.”
Louis has been a critic of ex-cruise ship crooner Chris, 34, who is mentored by Gary Barlow, since early in the competition and even joked he had wiped him from his memory.
He said: “Chris, who is Chris? Oh he is still there, the Liverpool guy. He has got a nan there.
“He is a good singer, but I don’t think he is a star.
“He is like Tony Christie. He is a great singer but he is not Tom Jones.”
Louis added: “Last week in the semi final on his first song he was good, especially if you close your eyes.
“But then I opened them – and he was there!
“Then when he did the Michael Buble song he was back to Chris the karaoke singer or cruise ship singer.”
Read more: The Mirror
I was so low I nearly ended it all: As Louis Walsh wins £400,000 over false claims of sexual assaulting a man, he reveals the devastating toll on him
Louis Walsh is a man of habit. When at home in Dublin, he lunches at the Four Seasons hotel nearly every day. He sits at the same table by the window, chooses something simple and healthy, always drinks plain water and orders a large cappuccino, sometimes two.
He rarely has wine or champagne, not even when he is celebrating. Not even when he came here on the day his worst nightmare ended and his life could begin again.
On Wednesday last week, the 60-year-old Walsh stood outside the Four Courts in Dublin after winning his case against The Sun newspaper.
Last year, they printed allegations that Walsh had sexually assaulted a man in the toilets of a Dublin nightclub.
The malicious smear was completely untrue, promulgated by a fantasist. Nevertheless, it swung a wrecking ball into the heart of Walsh’s life and was the start of 18 months of hell for The X Factor judge.
Read more: The Daily Mail
Shivering to get attention: Tulisa opts out of a coat to show off slinky satin dress at X Factor photo call… despite not having any acts left
It has been a busy week for the X Factor judges with the big final just days away.
However, Tulisa showed that tiredness and fatigue had not affected her as she pulled out all the stops at an X Factor photo call on Thursday.
The pop star seemed determined to steal the limelight in a tight satin dress, despite not having any acts left in the competition.
Read more: The Daily Mail
She’s going for the strawberry style! Nicole Scherzinger dons a bizarre superhero red cape for X Factor photo call
She is usually the sleek judge and was crowned winner in the sartorial stakes week in, week out during the live shows of the X Factor.
So it will come as a surprise to Nicole Scherzinger’s fans to see the outfit she wore on Thursday night at a photo call in Manchester.
The 34-year-old was seen wearing a huge red cape that made her look like a cross between a strawberry and a bizarre superhero.
Read more: The Daily Mail
They’re back! X Factor rejects reunited ahead of the big final as they arrive together in Manchester
They’re not in the running anymore to be crowned the X Factor winner of 2012.
But the rejected contestants all arrived in Manchester on Friday ahead of the big final, which is being held at Manchester Central.
As in all of the previous finals, the contestants will get together to perform a song, support the remaining acts and celebrate once the winner is crowned.
Read more: The Daily Mail
