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The X-Factor recap (UK) - Last Five

By Ian Cullen Nov 27, 2011, 21:36 GMT

Kelly Rowland - Kelly Rowland Sighted Departing NOBU Restaurant at Old Park Lane in London on November 11, 2011 - NOBU Restaurant - London, UK © Solarpix / PR Photos

This week all acts (of which only five remain) had to sing two songs, and it really separated the good from the not-so-good.

Louis Walsh, who no longer has an act on the show, was his usual enthusiastic self - as in every act was great. I swear, you’d think Louis was watching on the TV sometimes.

Though he’s not half as embarrassing and cringe-worthy as Kelly Rowland gesticulating and waving her arms around like the worlds most embarrassing mother. Add a few more pounds and she’d have bingo wings. She's damned annoying.

Anyway without further ado here is my take on the best and worst of the night followed by the results.

Groups: Little Mix for me had a really bad night last night. I’m not sure if it was song choices or the realisation that the series is drawing to a close, but whatever it was it really had an adverse effect on them on the whole. Their first song choice especially shown a few weaknesses in the band and their second was marginally better.

This set of not great performances made Little Mix one of the worst acts of the night, which is quite an acheivment given that there were only two rubbish acts. Three if you count Kelly Rowland, who could probably give William Shatner a run for his money when it comes to behaving in an OTT fashion.

The Boys: One of the best acts last night and someone who nailed both his songs was Marcus, who is the only male contestant left in the show.

Marcus took inspiration from Wham and Stevie Wonder last night, and for me his best song was the second one, which was Stevie Wonders hit ‘Lately’. In fact for me last night Marcus just about edged it as being the best of the night.

The Girls: The girls is the only category left with three acts and out of the three only two performed well last night.

Janet Devlin: It wasn’t a great night for Janet last night. During her first song she forgot her lyrics and though her second song choice was better. It wasn’t enough to compensate for the first song.

Misha B: Misha made an impressive come back this week and did two fairly well known songs but added a bit of seasoning to them. Something she hasn’t done in awhile.

In fact next to Marcus Misha B was among the top acts of the night making a strong come back for herself from previous weeks where she has been sort of mediocre.

Amelia Lilli: Amelia after finishing in the final two last week will hopefully not have to worry about that this week. I mean what a fantastic voice this girl has and what a performance from her.

Both her song choices were executed brilliantly and her version of ‘China In Your Hand,’ which was originally sang by T’pau was much better than the original. For me this girl was the best of her category last night and should by all rights survive into next week.

Best Of The Night: As already said above Marcus for me was the best of the night having done two very different songs, but Amelia Lilly and Misha B were not that far behind him.

Worst Of The Night: Worst of the night goes to Janet Devlin, who was perhaps a little too alternative at this stage in the competition, but I do think she has a recording career ahead of her when she leaves the competition.

The Result: After being entertained by the muppets the semi finalists were decided and through this week with little issue was Amelia Lilly and rightly so. Marcus was next through and the final act to qualify via the audience vote was Little Mix.

This left Janet and Misha B being in the sing off, but to be honest based on their performance last night. It should have really been Little Mix verses Janet.

Janet running true to form sang ‘Just Forget The World’ by Cold Play and did a pretty good job of it.

Second up was Misha B who chose to sing ‘Out Here On My Own,’ which was originally sang by Irene Carra in the movie 'Fame.'

After the showdown the judges chose to keep Misha B in the competition for the semi final, which meant that Janet wound up with the short straw of having to go home. It was an even shorter straw due to Kelly (Bloody) Rowland being unable to decide, which of her two acts to send home, which essentially prevented Gary Barlow from having his vote, but he’d have sent Janet home anyway.

So, X-Factor fans, your semi-finalists comprise of Misha B, Amelia Lilly, Little Mix and Marcus.