Has anyone considered that by actually having a competitive race for Xmas no. 1 Cowell has probably sold more copies of his artists' record than he would have otherwise, thus lining pockets further, number one or not?

Still, I quite like the "victory" even though it really isn't much of one.

I backed neither in this cash cow.

It seemed to me like The Has Beens against The Wannabe.

Zero interest.

I was amused by the irony of people buying a record they probably don't like that much to make sure another record they don't doesn't get a meaningless title, and all because people don't like to be told what to buy.

Oh hang on...

Not the point, I own every RATM album, but I paid to download it again purely because I don't like having untalented idiots like Joe McGaylord rammed down my throat at this time every year.

Me too

Well that was stupid

Ricky Tomlinson all the way

A top song has gone down in music history, pretty good if you ask me.

Picture all the old dears in 20 years time trying to remember the name of it in a pub quiz

From what I have seen this Joe Lad (why the homophobic reference?) actually is very talented and has a superb singing voice.

Not that he's my cup of tea.

He's about the third best act to win the competition, he's destined to go the Steve Brookstein and Leon Jackson route.

The thing that has struck me recently about the program and the industry is that you do not sell records by having a good voice alone.

What struck me was when they had Macca on the other day, and they gave him a standing ovation, I did wonder how they would have judged him & Lennon in their auditions.

Doubt they'd have made it it more than 2 or 3 rounds.

The characters these programs churn out can sing a good tune, but they are 1 dimensional, and very unlikely to have much longetivity, especially when they have no ability to write their own songs, they are a disposable act who can easily be replaced by next year's good singer

See people moaned about John and Edward, but at least they got people talking and were somewhat, weirdly entertaining.

Would the "untalented idiots" be the ones that appear on the X Factor each year?

Hang on........you don't only watch X Factor, you're now planning on performing an act on the show.

Oh the irony.

OWNED

Knowing full well that none of us can sing and to blatently take the p!ss.

The lad has clearly got a great voice 9which is why I took issue with the poster who called him talentless).

You also appear to be blurring the lines between singers and songwriters. Not all do the same. How many of his own records do you think Elvis Presley wrote?

I am not concerned about the music industry and the ability of anyone to sell records as I don't buy them anymore. Alls I knows is that the lad was a good singer and for an internet no mark to call him talentless is probably a bit rich. He can clearly sing, won the nations biggest talent show and sold quite a lot of records.

I've no idea who these individuals are.

You're clearly into X Factor in a big way aren't you?

One likes to believe in the freedom of music, but glittering prizes and endless compromises, shatter the illusion of integrity.

Yeah!

Aaaah that takes me back - NEC, early 80s. Still one of the best live bands I've ever seen.

It was the que for all us nerdy, girlfriendless lads to get up and dance at the Christmas school disco (usually at the old Astoria).

If you don't get even slightly tempted to dig out the air guitar to a Rush song then you've got something seriously wrong with the wiring in your brain.

Or you're a girl. One or the other.

Did you get the T-Shirt with the Signals album cover on... a dalmation sniffing a fire hydrant!... smart piece of clothing that!!

Bit fookin stupid arent they.