The X Factor - series 5 - second audition show

This X Factor audition show was screened less than 24 hours before Leona Lewis was scheduled to sing at the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. Simon Cowell must have decided to put on a good show and this was certainly the audition show with the most talent screened in any series of The X Factor. It looks like the talent this year is exceptional.

Three years ago a 16-year-old Alexandra Burke came along for her an audition in series two of The X Factor.

At the time I commented "Alexandra, sounding like an early Whitney Houston, is a strong contender for the live showdowns."

"I think you're really good," Simon told her.

At boot camp, Louis invited Alexandra to the final selection round in Dublin. But he then turned her down, choosing four others to invite onto the live shows, one of which was the year's winner, Shayne Ward.

This year the 19-year-old Alexandra came back to an X Factor audition and sang the Whitney Houston song Saving All My Love For You and a girl with a voice that now sounded like a combination of Whitney Houston and Leona Lewis was through to boot camp.

Phill Blackwell, a 43-year-old supply teacher, sang Gold with a powerful voice and added another potential 25 and over candidate for the live shows. His last note lasted long enough for ITV to play three ads. I doubt they will give him a second chance to do that - ITV need the ad revenue.

"Who are you?" Simon asked Girlband.

"Girlband," they replied.

"I know that," Simon retorted. "Oh - that's your name," he added when he finally figured out they had just answered his question.

Girlband sang Stop by Sam Brown and were through 2-1 to boot camp. Louis voted against.

RTI were another three girl group who were also voted through to boot camp.

Jade Thirlwell from South Shields and so Geordie Cheryl was an instant fan.

"You're a funny little thing, aren't you?" Simon asked her.

"Thanks," replied Jade.

Jade's version of Whitney Houston's Where Do Broken Hearts Go earned her three yeses.

Marika Beckford, a 20-year-old with a twinke in her eyes, sang Amazing Grace and was another very strong contender. Liam Payne, 14, was a good swing singer. Imani Otaighe, 17, performed an excellent version of RESPECT. Michael Dumoulin is a 19-year-old footballer who must have been singing in the club showers.

Alan Turner, 23, a call centre employee had no confidence at all in his audition, told the judges about how he is a foster child but wants to meet his natural parents. But his voice was very strong - Simon told him his foster parents should be proud of him and told him to become more confident. Michael was another auditionee who was lacking in confidence but scraped through to boot camp.

Simon told 15-year-old Eoghan Quigg that he sang too quickly. So he sang another song that was really slow. That's how to get through to boot camp.

Forum member and rapper Steve was back again for an audition. In series one he reacted with hand gestures to the judges when he was turned down - but he was invited to rap in the Friday night Xtra Factor shows later in the year. For This year he was back, several pounds heavier, with his fiancée Emma and a baby - none of whom got an invitation to boot camp.

The X Factor forum