X FACTOR - It's the semi final- and hurrah!- they are singing CHRISTMAS songs!

[Raahh]

because they didn't last year, or the year before. And for once, I think Pugsy has got totally the right song (am biased because it's my favourite, and i think it will suit him). His second song, however, I am less happy with.

Here are the songs-

Andrea Faustini
O Holy Night by Mariah Carey
Wrecking Ball by Miley Cyrus

Lauren Platt
Stay Another Day by East 17/Girls Aloud
Story Of My Life by One Direction

Ben Haenow
Please Come Home For Christmas by The Eagles
Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen

Fleur East
All I Want For Christmas by Mariah Carey
Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars & Mark Ronson

'Stay another day' for lamenting Lozza is inspired- dirgy enough to slow it down to snail's pace, and lots of puffa jackets, 80's fashions for the dancers/ choir.

I'm not sure about Ben's at all- but at least they haven't attributed 'Hallelujah ' to Burke.com. I like the Eagles- but there are so many great Christmas songs to choose from...

Fleur has Mariah- not really her style. And the Mark Ronson track is very new, so the audience might not know it. It is ok, though.

Ohh it's getting exciting. wonder what Louis will be saying, now he doens't have an act, and doesn't care?

See y'all later.

Evening! I am late, have been defrosting my ass after spending all day at Dickensian Christmas in Rochester . I should really get on with my pyjama sewing but I'm so sleepy that this will do.

Does it mean that the final is next week?

That dress makes Cheryl's boobs look very wonky.

SirNoel, I see Aladdin in panto.

Steve Brookstein has a book out!

Big interview with Steve Brookstein in the Guardian today. You'll never guess what it's about.

I feel a bit sorry for him really to be so defined by his failure.

Arf@ Steve brook stein.what every xfactor contestant hopes to be.

Mel's left boob looks as if it's about to fall out.

He's got a new album out too, you can mostly just download it from his website though.

Ooh ooh. Steve Brookstein has just written an autobiography totally slagging off his X Factor experience. There's an interview with him in the Guardian today and I must admit I felt desperately sorry for him. He was well and truly screwed overby the Cowell machine.

Poor steve, still hanging on to the dream ( how many years is it?)

a cheery Christmas cup of bitterness from Brookstein.

Lots of x posts about Steve Brookstein!

Jaysus, Brookstein. Get a job already.

I'll read that later BOF.

Why are they giving Fleur these big voice songs? Her's is just much too flat to give any sort of justice to Mariah's song.

I LOVE all Xmas songs!

Do you know who the only winner to get more votes than Steve was? It was joe mcelderry. For all the good it did him...

Does he bone-a his Nonna?

Bloody ell, Randy Jackson!!

Can't lurk any longer, my natural gobby-ness is too overwhelming.
May I join?

Simon is half-cut tonight, all giggly and flushed. I bet the make up artists have been toning down that red glow during the ads

PugsyNonna is my favourite

Randy Jackson has come to reclaim his 'gotta giveyou props' phrase from Chezza. With menaces.

Too much.

There's the nan again...

Pugsy!!!

And my favourite Christmas song.

Make it good, Pugs!

Hey Nonna, whensa your Dolmio day

Given the role that Nan's play on this thread, 'is he a naughty boy?' Is a hilarious question to ask.