'X Factor': Aston Merrygold Reveals He Was 'Fuming' About That Alexandra Burke And Beyoncé Duet (EXCLUSIVE)

"No disrespect to Westlife at all, but we were like, ‘Why didn’t we get Beyoncé?’."
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Alexandra Burke’s duet with Beyoncé is arguably the definitive moment of The X Factor’s 13 year history, but former JLS star Aston Merrygold has now revealed how he was secretly “fuming” over their collaboration. 

The singer admitted he was not impressed his rival had bagged the services of the US megastar when JLS and Alexandra went head-to-head in the 2008 ‘X Factor’ final - especially as they were only given Westlife.

Speaking on ‘BUILD Series LDN’ on Tuesday (6 December), Aston said: “I was fuming. Listen, Westlife were amazing at the time and we had one of the biggest songs ever, but we were like, ‘How’s she got Beyoncé?’.

“No disrespect to Westlife at all, but we were like, ‘Why didn’t we get Beyoncé?’.”

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Alexandra Burke duetted with Beyoncé in the 2008 'X Factor' final
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Aston Merrygold appeared on 'BUILD Series LDN'
Tristan Fewings via Getty Images

Recalling the moment their mentor Louis Walsh delivered the news to Aston and bandmates Marvin Humes, Ortise Williams and JB Gill, he continued: “You should have seen that point. We were all in the canteen and I was sitting with Marvin and I think we were talking to Cheryl [Fernandez-Versini] at the time, and Louis came in and was like, ‘Guys, come with me’... And he was like, ‘This is the situation... you’ve got Westlife’. We were like, ‘Yes, great, perfect!’ and then he went, ‘But... Alexandra has Beyoncé’. 

“You know when you’re trying to add something up but there’s no numbers? We were like, ‘Hold on, what?’. He was like, ‘You just have to smash it’, and we said, ‘Well obviously, because she’s got Beyoncé!’. 

“I was baffled. I was so baffled. At the time, I was 19 and I was absolutely fuming - behind closed doors I was fuming. Like, Beyoncé - are you kidding?!”

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Alexandra won 'The X Factor' over JLS
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Turning his attention to this year’s competition, Aston revealed he is backing 5 After Midnight to be crowned the new ‘X Factor’ champions.

The boyband - who haven’t exactly bagged someone with Beyoncé’s star power for their celebrity duet either - will be taking on Matt Terry and Saara Aalto in this weekend’s live final. 

“I know one of the guys from 5 After Midnight, Kieron, and I think he’s great,” Aston said. “I’ve been a big supporter of his for a long time, and I think the boys are great.”

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Aston is backing 5 After Midnight to win 'X Factor' this year
Doug Peters/Doug Peters

Asked if he thinks it could be the year Louis triumphs with a group, he added: “Oh jeez. If Louis Walsh wins, it will be the funniest. It will be the ultimate smile on any meme.

“I hope he does, they’ve got my backing and fingers crossed they do.”

Aston Merrygold’s new single ‘Too Late’ is out now. 

'X Factor' Runners Up
G4 (Series 1)(01 of13)
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This opera-singing quartet topped the UK album chart with their debut collection, going on to release three albums before splitting in 2007. They also had a top ten single with their cover of 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. G4 briefly reunited for lead singer Jonathan Ansell's wedding two years later.That year's champion, Steve Brookstein, has hit out against 'The X Factor' several times, after he was dropped from Simon Cowell's record label less than a year after winning the competition. (credit:REX)
Andy Abraham (Series 2)(02 of13)
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Andy 'The Bin Man' Abraham is best known for representing the United Kingdom in the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest. His song 'Even If' finished in last place, bagging just 14 points overall. (credit:Rex/Ken McKay)
Ray Quinn (Series 3)(03 of13)
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One of the few occasions where the winner was actually the most successful contestant of the year, Ray didn't quite match up to the global stardom of Leona Lewis, but has enjoyed several stints in panto as well as on reality series 'Dancing On Ice'.He has released one post-'X Factor' album, the swing-themed 'Doing It My Way', which topped the chart when it was released in 2007. (credit:Rex/Ken McKay)
Rhydian Roberts (Series 4)(04 of13)
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We think if Leon Jackson had performed with Katherine Jenkins rather than Kylie Minogue, Rhydian would probably have been crowned champion in 2007. Not to worry, though, as Rhydian has released an impressive five albums - mostly classical and opera-inspired - since finishing in second place, most recently earlier this year.He's also toured the UK in productions of 'We Will Rock You' and 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show', the latter of which saw him stripping off to just a pair of goldpants every night. (credit:Rex/Ken McKay)
JLS (Series 5)(05 of13)
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Between Alexandra Burke, Diana Vickers, Ruth Lorenzo and Eoghan 'Charisma' Quigg, series five was one of the most talented 'The X Factor' has ever seen.After finishing in second place, JLS went on to become one of the biggest acts in 'X Factor' history, releasing no less than five chart-topping singles, touring all over the UK and even lending their name to a range of condoms. They split up last year, but the members of JLS are still never far from the headlines. (credit:Rex/Ken McKay)
Olly Murs (Series 6)(06 of13)
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Who'd have thought that when he lost out to Joe McElderry in the sixth series of 'The X Factor' that Olly Murs would go on to become one of Britain's biggest male stars? Famed for his cheeky smile, his irresistible hooks and his tight trousers, Olly is currently gearing up to release his fourth single, and has so far in his career collaborated with Robbie Williams, Flo-Rida, Demi Lovato and even The Muppets. (credit:Rex/Ken McKay/Talkback Thames)
Rebecca Ferguson (Series 7)(07 of13)
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The whole top four of series seven were signed to Simon Cowell's record label after the final, with Rebecca releasing her debut album 'Heaven' to massive critical acclaim, even bagging two MOBO nominations.While Matt Cardle is still making music, his success has been eclipsed by Rebecca, as well as fellow finalists from that year, One Direction and Cher Lloyd. (credit:Rex/Ken McKay/Thames TV)
Marcus Collins (Series 8)(08 of13)
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Admittedly, Little Mix are a tough act to beat, so we won't compare the two, but nontheless Marcus has done well since finishing in second place.His self-titled debut album reached the top ten in the charts, which was followed by a stint as one of the leading roles in a UK touring production of 'Hairspray'. (credit:Rex/Ken McKay/Talkback Thames)
Jahmene Douglas (Series 9)(09 of13)
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Have to finalists from the same category ever been such polar opposites as James Arthur and Jahmene Douglas? While James has not so much bitten the hand that fed him as taken a huge chomp out of Simon Cowell's knuckles, runner-up Jahmene was always slightly more subdued than that.His debut release - which featured duets with Stevie Wonder and Nicole flippin' Scherzinger - shot to the top of the charts in 2013, with a follow-up currently being recorded. (credit:Rex/Ken McKay/Thames TV)
Nicholas McDonald(10 of13)
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Louis Walsh's 'Baby Bublé' finished in second place behind Sam Bailey, releasing an album of ballads, including Adele's 'Someone Like You', Daniel Bedingfield's 'If You're Not The One' and - of course - Westlife's 'Flying Without Wings', earlier this year.The jury's still out on whether his career will prove more fruitful than eventual winner Sam Bailey, who is still signed to Simon's Syco label. (credit:Rex/Jason Sheldon)
Fleur East (Series 11)(11 of13)
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Her 'Uptown Funk' performance may have been the moment of the series, but that wasn't enough to get the 'X Factor' crown.Fortunately, that didn't put Simon Cowell off signing her up, and a pop gem called 'Sax' was born. (credit:Brian Rasic via Getty Images)
Reggie 'N' Bollie (Series 12)(12 of13)
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One of series 12's most polarising acts, Reggie 'N' Bollie quickly signed up with Simon Cowell's label after finishing in second place. (credit:Gareth Cattermole via Getty Images)
Saara Aalto (Series 13)(13 of13)
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In an 'X Factor' first, Saara had been on course to win the show, even at the end of the first half of this year's final.

However, she fell behind during the second half, though that didn't stop her signing a record deal anyway.
(credit:Samir Hussein via Getty Images)