The X Factor countdown begins...

Aiden Grimshaw Copyright SYCO
So, here we are dear readers. One day to go until the live shows begin and it’s Gamugate that is still dominating the news.

After the news that each judge would get a wild card choice this weekend, it seemed certain that the lovely Gamu would return, but now after visa issues our favourite non-finalist looks set to fade into obscurity.

That said, Gamu’s legion of fans have really taken a dislike to Cher and Katie, even setting up groups urging people not to vote for them and to reinstate Gamu instead.

Now as much as I love Gamu, enough is enough. Sure, I dislike Katie as a finalist and even Cher is starting to grate on me now, but we do need to get past this people!

So, here’s some new spruced up pics of the finalists to look at and more importantly to assess if they have the fashion X Factor this year.

As much as I hate to say it, Katie’s picture is my fave- she looks ‘quirky’ (damn it) and model-esque (double damn it) in her shots.

Katie Waissell Copyright SYCO
I love her military look, complete with lace dress poking out and flawless make-up. If I could just look at her and not here her speak or sing, then it would be fine.

My second favourite piccie is Aiden Grimshaw. I’ve never been one to go for the conventionally good looking boys, but he’s really starting to grow on me. I hope I don’t turn into a teenage wreck everytime he’s on screen though.

Cher Lloyd Copyright SYCO
All the other pics look a bit boring to be honest- although Cher stands out with her pale skin, red lips and piled up Amy Wino hair.

She’s only 17 and has come in for a lot of criticism. I personally think we should just reserve judgement until tomorrow night.

Whichever way it goes, it will be one hell of a show!

Check out The X Factor's finalist's Facebook pages here

Cheryl suffers backlash over Gamu!

Should Gamu Nhengu have gone through? Copyright ITV
It had to happen sooner or later and now it seems the ever lovely Cheryl Cole may be feeling the harsh backlash from the British public.

There's me thinking it was just me being a tad over dramatic about Gamu being axed from the live shows, but no, everyone is pretty peeved at Chezza.

Surprisingly though, they're more annoyed about Cher going through rather than Katie, which to me seems bonkers.

Cher's an Amy Winehouse in the making- the chav chic fashion sense, big eyes and hair totally say Wino to me, while Katie, well I just don't get her.

Cheryl's mini me actually makes me excited to see what she'll wear each week, how she'll style her hair, if someone will actually be able to tone down those eyebrows...
Cher Lloyd: A style icon in the making? Copyright ITV
No seriously, if she keeps it together her unique vocal style will serve her very well indeed, and the more press she gets the more sales of ripped jeans and headscarves will peak.

In the meantime though, I'm not going to be happy until Gamu gets her moment to shine and if reports are to be believed, I'm thinking next Saturday may be more eventful than I first thought!

If you missed it last night, here's Cheryl delivering the bad news...

Cheryl Cole makes bondage cool!

Cheryl Cole in Promise This
See, I’ve been a fan of patterned and unusual tights for a while now, but now that Cheryl Cole has decided to get in on the trend, everyone suddenly thinks they are massively cool!

Ok, so granted I’ve never spent £30 on a pair of tights, like Cheryl’s fab bondage ones from Wolford, but there are fashionistas out there that will.

Cheryl's new video for Promise This
I blogged last week about Charnos and their oh- so cute bow tights, and now it seems everyone is ditching boring black for something a bit more quirky.

Well, bondage tights pretty much take the cake when it comes to being ‘out there’ so I reckon they will already be sold out following Chezza’s style seal of approval.

In case you’re wondering, my name is already on the list…
Read the full story from the Daily Mail here

Cheryl Cole as a ballerina...hit or miss?

Cheryl Cole in Promise This

The song, Promise This was debuted on Chris Moyles’ BBC Radio 1 breakfast show yesterday, but now we’ve been treated to some video images to accompany it.

Cheryl is seen dressed as a beautiful ballerina dancing her way through what looks like a mystical forest with an unnamed man.

Ooo I do love celeb videos, they just get to live out all their fashion fantasies don’t they?

I’m surprised Chezza hasn’t roped in supposed boyf, Derek Hough into dancing with her again, after all, that’s what made Parachute so appealing to watch.

That said, this new one is classic Cheryl- plenty of dancing, her looking stunning and all the females feeling jealous- job done!

What do you think?

X Factor Fashion: Cher Rules!

Cher Lloyd on X Factor- Copyright ITV
After last week's disappointing show (although I did love Katy Perry in all her sparkly wonder) X Factor was back on fine form this week.

Forget the ego-tastic judges though; this week was all about the contestants and their fantastic stage outfits.

I use the term fantastic loosely though, as we did have an Elton John impersonator early on, which at best was an awful tribute and at worse, well, let’s not go there.

No, the real star of the show this week was 16-year-old Cheryl wannabe Cher. Her rendition of Soulja Boy's Turn My Swag On was mesmerising and refreshingly different to anything that's ever been done on X Factor before.



I loved her look as well; a cross between early Cheryl Tweedy (slightly chavvy ripped jeans and messy hair) and new Cheryl- sleek in a fitted military jacket and platforms.

After Cher we were treated to Justin Bieber masquerading as 16-year-old Liam Payne, who was booted off the show two years ago for not being ready for stardom.

His goosebump-inducing rendition of Michael Buble's Cry Me a River earned a standing ovation from the Cowell and an uncertain Natalie Imbruglia.

Ahh, Ms Imbruglia. Well that was a bit of a damp squib wasn't it? After committing the ultimate faux par and arriving in the same pink dress two days running, her contribution was pretty much zilch for the whole show.

So far its been hit and miss with the guest judges, so with Pixie Lott and Nicole Scherzinger still to come, let’s hope they make a better impression than Geri and now Natalie have done.

To end the show on a high, or low whichever way you choose to look at it were two real life Vicky Pollard's.

After insulting Louis (hilarious), slamming for Natalie by not knowing who she was (mean, but funny) they then told the audience to shut up (big mistake... 3000 people booing you, no-one could've recovered from that).

Anyway, it ended up with the chavtastic twosome (complete with horrible furry boots, I might add) having a bit of a punch up and being pulled apart by Simon's military team. Hehe.

Bring on next week I say!

X Factor Fashion: Week One

Ooo don't they look good?! Copyright ITV

After all the craziness surrounding Saturday’s auditions, I thought it was about time we got back to the most important thing about the show- the fashion!

Of course Cheryl dazzled in a strapless leopard print mini dress, although she didn’t really give me the same buzz as usual; she looked small and kind of out of her depth sat between Simon and motor mouth Geri.

Speaking of Geri- that woman could talk for England! No wonder the audience reportedly booed her in auditions!

I’ve got to give the producers their dues- editing Geri in such a way that even the judges looked bored with her was hilarious. Her circa 2000 haircut, shiny face and simple wardrobe simply looked misplaced next to Chezza’s full on glamour, so for me- a total miss.

As for Konnie Huq, Holly’s replacement, well- I think the criticism she’s come in for has been pretty unfair; she’s new, she has her own way of doing things- so give her a bloomin’ chance!

When it comes to her style credentials however, I’m more dubious. Her first outing in a grey jumper and floral shorts was cute, but a white bra underneath gave away her inexperience. Maybe next week will be better...

And speaking of next week- OMG did you see that woman punching her mate on stage?! Other than that Cheryl’s seen experimenting with high street jewellery and the lovely Pixie Lott makes her debut.

Cheryl Tweedy takes week off (about time!)

Poor Cheryl. Seriously, Poor Cheryl. Barely has X Factor filming begun than the lovely Northern lass has had to pull out due to severe exhaustion.

Nobody is hotter than Saint Chezza right now, especially after dumping husband Ashley- she's come out stronger than ever in terms of marketability.

A new Loreal hairspray and lipstick campaign, a brand new season of X Factor about to commence and endless rumours about her new romance interests have kept Cheryl at the centre of media and public interest.

But, and here comes the but- she hasn't had any time off in three years practically. Ever since X Factor propelled her to superstardom; she's taken on everything that's come her way and now she's paying the price.

We can't all be fashion icons day in day out, it's exhausting- trust me, I know!- and it's about time she said enough is enough and put her feet up for a bit!

Since the whole Ashely saga she's gone into work overload and for each occasion she's debuted a new 'look' to accompany it. She's been a hip hop princess, a Barbie replica and a sleek and stylish goddess.

I'm looking forward to seeing her come back bigger and better for the live shows; refreshed and raring to take on Simon and co. Go Cheryl!