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Does The X Factor break its own rules?

By Sarah Burns on October 12, 2010

Here at Spark & Fuse HQ, we are already loving The X Factor. Our Monday morning debate focuses on who’s the best dressed judge, (Danni, natch) and why Cheryl Cole appears to be oh so very orange this year. And whilst we’re enjoying the general madness of the competition – Wagner to win anyone? –  we are certainly not impressed by the apparent controversy that surrounds certain competitors making it through to the live finals. Sure, Dot Cotton look-alike, Cher Lloyd fluffed it at the final audition, but as far as we know there’s nothing in the rules that says a place cannot be awarded to someone who bawls in front of Cheryl. No, what really troubles us is the alleged bending of official terms and conditions. We won’t mention any names, but allegedly two finalists already have either a recording contract or management deal. It’s one thing for an entrant to cheat, but it’s the promoter’s responsibility to act as the control and prevent these individuals from qualifying. Yet the papers are full of stories accusing X Factor bosses of buying out said existing contracts. We are very careful to impress upon all our clients that they cannot ignore judging criteria or reward entrants that have broken the rules simply to suit their own marketing objectives, but it would seem according to the press that The X Factor has been allowed to get away with this. Perhaps someone can advise us for a change? 

Our favourite X Factor finalist, Aiden Grimshaw. He’s sensational and we really hope he wins: