The X Factor - Semi final - 5th and 6th December

Some people say that it seems like only a couple of week ago that the first auditions for X Factor series 6 hit our TV screens. Others say that it seems like it's dragged on for years. Either way, the semi-final is now here and, from the thousands of auditionees, only 4 acts remain.

Battling! For! Your! Votes! (in the style of the awesome voiceover man)

1. Olly Murs – Described by his mentor Simon Cowell as “fearless and talented”, Olly was favourite to win a few weeks ago – but has since slipped to third place after some poor performances and terrible song choices. Can he pull off two show-stopping performances tonight?
2. Joe McElderry, “a genuine, fantastic guy with a fantastic voice”. He started the show at average Bookies' odds of 16/1, and is now firm favourite to win, with near flawless performances the past few weeks. Can his two songs tonight match up to his previous high standard?
3. Stacey Solomon – the ditzy diva from Dagenham – who according to her mentor Dannii has “worked so hard and developed into an amazing performer.” However, she's not as consistent as some of the others in the competition, and she has been criticised for not putting enough emotion into her performances. Can she get the balance right tonight?
4. Danyl Johnson – This guy needs no introduction. He has split the nation in a “love him or hate him” fashion even more than Jedward managed, and has received far more negative press than any of the others. Regardless of what he does tonight, we know Simon will give him a standing ovation. But will it be deserved..?

It was revealed earlier this week that he acts will each sing one Michael Jackson song, followed by one song chosen for them by their mentor. Here are the songs that they hope will get them into the final next week...

Up first tonight was Olly, complete with backing dancers, and a song that was far too low for him. Well, at the start, anyway. Someone really needs to stop letting Simon pick songs (and yes, I know that he's the boss – I just don't care!) OK vocal from Olly when he could be heard over the backing singers – far from his best – and yet some more dodgy dancing as ordered by Brian Friedman. Can we fire him, too..?
Cheryl claimed that “the sound in here was deafening” when Olly was singing – I get the feeling that when they watch it back they'll realise that it wasn't the great performance they claimed it to be.

Next up was Little Joe (he seems to have taken on that prefix to his name since Little Lloyd left) who pulled out yet another near faultless performance. This boy, it seems, can do no wrong. Even Simon loves him! Cheryl described it as “Even better than anything [Joe has] done before” but the real praise came from Dermot, pointing out that you know you've made it as a popstar when you have your own stool. The guy may have a point...

Stacey was out next, and the wardrobe department had obviously been ordered to make her “sexy” again this week, as she came out in little more than a jacket, hat and pair of skyscraper heels. Don't get me wrong, she has the figure to pull it off. It's just that, as Simon rightly said, it wasn't her. Neither was the song – she didn't seem comfortable singing it, and it's worrying to see someone at this stage of the competition who doesn't seem completely sure of their identity as an artist. She has a huge fanbase though, and so will probably be safely through to next week's final.

Last up to tackle an MJ song was Danyl, with one of Michael Jackson's most loved songs. Again, the start of the song was far too low for him, and he sounded a bit shaky, but he improved when he got to the notes that he could belt out. Having said that, it wasn't his best performance, and he could be in trouble this week – though as usual, Simon lavished praise on him as the being the greatest talent ever. Yawn.

Also (and this totally deserves to be made as a point as a point by itself) – what was with the polar bears..?

So, with Round 1 unarguably belonging to Joe (well OK, some people will probably argue against it, but in most people's opinions it's unarguable, OK?) it was time for Round 2 – a song from any genre chosen for the act by their mentor, and not chosen by themselves as had been claimed on some websites a few days ago.

So, first up was Olly, and Simon would obviously have learnt from his terrible song choices for Olly in previous weeks. Right? Well, no, it seems he hasn't. A few off-key vocals, annoying backing singers and some very off-putting dancing that didn't even fit to the music mean that Olly is firmly in the danger zone this week. Simon should be ashamed. He won't be, though, because in his opinion it was (of course) brilliant. Zzzzzz...

Joe's second performance was, in my opinion, even better than his first. I can't fault it at all. He has the most incredible, beautiful, soulful voice, and if he doesn't win it'll be a travesty. (In my opinion. Don't shout at me if you like someone else!) Also, I agree with Louis that he should release that song as a single. I'd buy it!

Stacey's second song choice should have been the perfect choice for her – a well-known, beautiful ballad with plenty of big notes. As a performance, it wasn't her worst, but nor did it deserve the immense praise the judges were lavishing upon it. It started a bit shaky, went a bit shouty near the end and she missed the last note completely – which, if you watch her face, she clearly realised. Despite all that, she does have a great voice. I just think she needs a lot more training to realise her full potential as a recording artist.

Last up – of course – Danyl. With a Whitney track. So lots of warbling with a very wide-open mouth? Yep. Normally I like Danyl (I know I'm in the minority) but this started too low, and he missed a couple of notes. The rest of it was just OK. Did Simon over-react and claim it was the greatest thing since sliced bread? Does a one-legged duck swim in circles!?

In my opinion, Olly and Danyl are both in trouble tomorrow night. But do you agree? Who is your favourite, who should go, do you miss Jedward, and how awesome is voiceover man? Discuss all this and more on The X Factor Forum!

Results Show

It's time! To face! The music! (Do you reckon he speaks like that in real life? He could make anything sound exciting. I'm! Eating! Cornflakes! Would take forever to get through a conversation with him though.)

Yes, it's still an hour long. With only 4 acts, and no sing-off. How they are still justifying this I have no idea..!

To be honest, there's no point in giving a full review of the results, as it is is just filler for about 50 minutes of the hour-long show. First up tonight was the obligatory mimed group performance of "Wanna Be Starting Something" combined with "Don't Stop the Music." Yeah, OK, they're getting better. At miming. Olly got some of the arm waving wrong, though.

Lady Gaga and Janet Jackson were the two guests tonight. Lady Gaga has been described in several blogs and forums as a "freakshow", but at least she sang live. Very rare, for X Factor guest acts. Needless to say, Janet didn't. Boring, annoying, and frankly quite pointless. Ah well. we're getting used to it now...

Finally, after some more filler, it was time for the results. Olly was first to be announced as safe, and promptly burst into tears. Bless him, I think he genuinely thought he was going home. Next through was Joe, followed by Stacey - leaving Danyl to go home. Whether you like him or think he's the biggest ego since Simon Cowell, you have to admit that he accepted it graciously and seemed genuinely happy to have got as far as he did. After watching the VT of his "best bits" (funnily enough they left out his Aerosmith performance from rock week) he performed "Man in the Mirror" again - and sang it far better than he did last night. Something (aka Simon Cowell) tells me we haven't seen the last of him yet...

So, the finalists are Joe, Stacey and Olly. However, special mention has to go to Dermot for being able to keep talking as all three of them hugged him from different angles and he nearly dropped his microphone. What a pro!!

Do you think the right three are in the final? Who do you want to win? And who do you think should be back for the "worst auditionees" performance next week? Have your say on The X Factor Forum!