TV Trends: With X Factor Final This Weekend, Has Fleur East Done Enough To Win, Or Is There Another Favourite?
Will There Be A Surprise Come 'X Factor' Final? Social Media Says Maybe...
The Huffington Post UK
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Well, the good news is that 'X Factor' just got interesting again, with Fleur East's stunning rendition of 'Uptown Funk' stealing all the headlines at the weekend, bringing a massive smile to the face of mentor Simon Cowell who called it "one of the best X Factor performances EVER' - AND forcing Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars to bring forward the release of their own version this week. Whoever said 'X Factor' no longer had any influence?!
However, there's still the small matter of the final ahead of us, with the last three finalists facing one hurdle of a weekend, before we find out who'll be going home with a £1million recording contract, apartment for a year and a promise of lifelong fame and riches - just ask Steve Brookstein - and who'll be consoling themselves that One Direction didn't even win, when they entered in 2010.
So, of the three names still in the hat - Andrea Faustini, Fleur East and Ben Haenow - who is getting the fans' love ahead of the final round?
Well, there are a couple of surprises in here, because analysis has revealed that early favourite Andrea Faustini has seemingly dropped out of favour, on social media at least. Although he remained popular at the weekend, he is now getting the least amount of attention of all three, and will have to do something special if he's to take this year's crown.
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Ben Haenow is proving surprisingly popular this week, considering what he's up against
Talking about doing something special… Fleur East did just that at the weekend, and was rewarded with a burst of fresh fanship and favour all across Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms. Her version of 'Uptown Funk' even went to the coveted number one spot on iTunes - deserved reward for a great song, and a stunning, athletic performance that wouldn't have disgraced any international star on the show.
But… despite all that, it seems the enduring appeal of Ben Haenow has yet to desert him, with fans recovering from their Fleur-fest to give him more mentions than either of the other two in the last couple of days. Something about hair gel and a leather jacket never failing… and remember it is mostly teenage girls who have the most to say about these things.
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Andrea Faustini was an early favourite, but will have to do something special this weekend
So, in overview then, it's Fleur East who has received the most attention, from critics, peers and fans, but… it's a lot closer than you might have thought. Looks as though the X Factor final this year might just be a clincher. Now that should keep the grin on Simon Cowell's face!
All TV trends data referred to in this article has been supplied by Virgin Media, which provides access to up to 260+ channels including Freeview Channels, Virgin Movies, Sky Movies and Netflix.
'X Factor' Runners Up
G4 (Series 1)(01 of11)
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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 of11)
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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 of11)
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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 of11)
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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 of11)
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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 of11)
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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 of11)
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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 of11)
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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 of11)
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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 of11)
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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 of11)
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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)