BBC Strictly Come Dancing 2008 - Week 11, Christine Dances out

The Public alas failed to save her from the bottom two and after performing two dances and the subsequent dance off, Christine becomes the 11th person to be voted out of Strictly Come Dancing.

The One Show Presenter landed in the bottom two against the impressive Rachel Stevens, who had already scored a maximum. With Lisa Snowdon finishing top of the Leaderboard, Christine must have known that the end was inevitable.



Rachel danced brilliantly once again in the dance-off to survive to the last 4 and Semi-finals. This is the Second time Rachel Stevens has landed in the bottom two despite brilliant scores. It may show that she does not have much Public voting support. This could be crucial if she makes the final.



Christine Bleakley's happy personality will be missed from the show, but it was the right decision for her to go. The Judges votes were unanimous in keeping Rachel in.

There are just four people left in who can win now. They are Austin Healey, Tom Chmabers, Rachel Stevens and Lisa Snowdon. Austin is still the favourite to win, but this year it looks very close and unpredictable to call. If Lisa Snowdon takes it from where she started in Week 1, it would be an amazing achievement.

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X Factor 2008 - Week 8, Ruth Lorenzo out. What?

I'm slowly losing the will to live with the X Factor in 2008. The show is perhaps becoming a bit of a joke with the most talented acts being voted off each time. Austin Drage went far too early, then there came the Laura White mystery and now the most powerful act has gone, rock chick, Ruth Lorenzo.

Maybe the voting format has to be changed slightly. X Factor no longer seems fit for purpose. The X Factor now seems to have little to do with singing at all. What is the X Factor? Well... it's the ability to make the public feel sorry for you... great.

Anyhoo, the public has spoken, and Spanish diva Ruth Lorenzo is out. She didn't put a foot wrong during her two songs in Britney Spears week, but it seems that the performances in the competition were irrelevant anyway. If the public had voted without any acts performing, the result would probably have been the same.

An odd decision. Ruth Lorenzo was not the worst act and did not deserve to be voted out. The final looks destined to be between Diana Vickers and Eoghan Quigg, the two youngest acts left in the competition.



Ruth did not seem totally surprised by the result. Mentor Dannii Minogue, is the first to lose all her acts. So on to the Semi-Final...

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BBC Strictly Come Dancing 2008 - Week 11, The Judges Scores

Week 11 in Strictly Come Dancing, the celebrities had to perform two dances. One Ballroom, one Latin. The Ballroom dances have tended to score slightly higher this series, but with everybody having to perform both, there were no advantage to be had.

There were a lot of perfect 10 scores bring waved around this week, but here is the Leaderboard before the crutial Public vote is added.

Lisa Snowdon & Brendan 76
Austen Healey & Erin 74
Rachel Stevens & Vincent 71
Tom Chambers & Camilla 70
Christine Bleakley & Matt 58

Lisa Snowdon was odds-on to go out before Saturday's performances. It's extremely hard to see this happening now. She tops the leaderboard on 76 after performing two superb dances.

If the voting public get behind Christine Bleakley again, which is very possible, we could lose one of the big favourites! Tom Chambers looks very vulnerable to finishing in the dance off. If Christine escapes, then Rachel could be dragged into the bottom two with him. This would be amazing after Rachel's maximum 40 score of last week.

Stay tuned this Sunday night, because there may be some carnage!

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X Factor 2008 - Week 8, Who is going out now?

Ruth Lorenzo is the Evan money favourite to go out this week. It is certainly not a bet I will be placing.

If she finds herself in the bottom two sing off against JLS, I think she could blow them away with her power. The only way perhaps JLS could survive in this situation is if the Judges took it to deadlock with the decision resting solely on the Public Vote. JLS are seemingly more popular than Ruth.

Here are the full current odds on each acts chances of being voted out the X Factor this week.

Ruth Lorenzo 1/1
J L S 15/8
Alexandra Burke 5/1
Eoghan Quigg 12/1
Diana Vickers 14/1

The Market looks as if its shaping up to price a final of Diana Vickers verses Eoghan Quigg. There are still a few fences to be jumped yet, and anyone can take a tumble before the final run in.

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BBC Strictly Come Dancing 2008 - Week 11, Tom Chambers Chasing a 10

He has remained 2nd Favourite for quite some time, but Tom Chambers is yet to score a perfect 10 from any of the Judges. This fact is starting to rile him and he will be determined as ever to score one this week as the final looms only a matter of weeks away.

Tom Chambers has scored a vast amount of nines in Strictly Come Dancing and last week, his Tango picked up another 4 of them!

Is 10 possible for Tom? Is he always destined to score 9?

Well... 10 isn't completely out his reach and I'm surprised he hasn't been awarded it already. Some of his performances have been superb.

This week the remaining Celebrities have to battle their way through two dances, making the task all the harder. Tom has the Waltz and the tricky Samba. The Waltz gives him a fantastic chance of finally nailing that elusive 10 score.

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BBC Strictly Come Dancing 2008 - Who is going in Week 11?

Week 11 in Strictly Come Dancing and there are just 5 people left who can win. All 5 definitely have a chance in the closest series the show has ever had.

Here is how the market values the chances of each celebrities chances of being eliminated.

Lisa Snowdon 11/10
Christine Bleakley 2/1
Rachel Stevens 4/1
Tom Chambers 12/1
Austin Healey 12/1

Lisa Snowdon is the favourite to go. I would not be confident putting any money on this, Lisa has topped the leaderboard in this contest on two separate occasions. Christine has very strong public support and Rachel Stevens has only dropped a single point in two weeks.

So who is going to go then?

I haven't the faintest idea! Have you?

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BBC Strictly Come Dancing 2008 - Week 10, The Public get behind Christine

One wondered, when John Sergeant pulled out of Strictly Come Dancing, where was the majority of the Public Vote now going to go?

Well... it seemed to go to the ever happy, Christine Bleakley. Her Cha Cha Cha was not bad earning her 27 points from the Judges. Such is the standard of those left in, unfortunately this score made her bottom of the leaderboard.

It was no dance off for Christine though. The Public saved her. Good!

The bottom two comprised of Lisa Snowdon and Jodie Kidd with Jodie being the one to be eliminated.

This week the Celebrities remaining have to tackle not one, but two dances. Now it is getting really tough. Can The One Shows Christine Bleakley survive again? She is yet to be in the bottom two. If she finishes off the bottom after the Judges scores, I'm sure the voting public will lift her up a place of two to escape again. It should be an interesting week.

The remaining celebrities who can win are Austin Healey, Tom Chambers, Rachel Stevens, Lisa Snowdon and of course, Christine Bleakley.

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X Factor 2008 - Week 8, Alexandra starting to lose favour in the Market

Week 7 was Take That week on X Factor 2008. Alexandra Burke gave the kind of performance we have perhaps come to expect and went safely through to Week 8 avoiding the dreaded bottom two sing off. Mentor Cheryl Cole would have been pleased.

Unfortunately though, Alexandra is starting to lose favour in the betting market. It is not thought that she can win the contest. Very early on, she was Favourite to win. She was soon overtaken by Diana Vickers and this week, has slipped to third favourite behind Simon Cowells, Eoghan Quigg. This does not look good.

Although a powerful singer, you have to compare Alexandra to the other acts in the contest. What makes her unique, what makes her stand out. This is maybe a problem. The others you could hear on the radio and identify, Alexandra is not so easy. I wish her well, but progress may now start to get a bit tricky.

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YouTube & Monty Python... will this idea work?

I have blogged about this subject a few times before. It is the shear impossibility of protecting Copyright on YouTube. With a short browse you will find a vast collection of material that has been illegally uploaded. There are entire seasons of Lost, whole episodes of Star Trek, music videos, film clips... even the entire Jurassic Park film was once on there running at over 2 hours!

YouTube will eventually remove any offending material if informed by the Copyright owners. But it is a fruitless task. There are Millions of users using YouTube each day and at least one of them will re-upload the deleted material very quickly.

This costs the Copyright owners dearly in lost Sales and Revenue. So what's Monty Python's answer to all this?

An Interesting idea, but I don't think it's going to work. Revenue created by clicking on links and buying Monty Python DVD's after seeing the clips? Surely people are just going to download the YouTube Material directly from the Monty Python Channel and burn it direct to DVD aren't they?

Maybe I'm missing something. Monty Python seem to have made their problem worse. Now users have access to their back catalog in High Definition for free. I'm not sure how this is going to generate more money, but I look forward to watching this Channel often. Monty Python are the greatest!

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X Factor 2008 - Week 8, Diana Vickers Still Favourite to Win

Diana Vickers remains the Favourite to Win the X-Factor at odds of 13/8. She has had her troubles having to miss a week through severe laryngitis and then singing the following week when still ill. Through all this, she has never once slipped from being the strong Favourite in the betting market. If anything, her battle against adversity has only gone to strengthen her support with the voting public who love a story to get behind.

Week 7, Take That week, Diana Vickers had clearly fully recovered.

Patience was a difficult song for Diana to sing, and like everything she performs, she clearly made it her own. In X Factor 2008, Diana will be tough to beat. Her biggest threat appears to be coming from the merging Eoghan Quigg.

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X Factor 2008 - Week 8, Latest Odds to Win

There are just 5 acts left in this years X Factor Competition. Just one act will go on to win the coveted recording contract... all though to be fair.. most of these Acts will now be snapped up by someone. Simon Cowell probably, no one can deny, that the X Factor is one of the best promotional tools ever devised!

Here are the latest odds on who will Win!

Diana Vickers 13/8
Eoghan Quigg 9/4
Alexandra Burke 3/1
J L S 5/1
Ruth Lorenzo 16/1

Diana Vickers remains steady as the Favourite. She has maintained favouritism for quite some time now. Oddly this may make her vulnerable. The Public generally like to see an underdog win and if she finds herself in the final against Eoghan Quigg, she could have a problem.

Eoghan moves Second Favourite for the first time and is gaining support. He probably has the weakest voice of the solo acts left in, but is arguably the most marketable in terms of potential record sales.

JLS found themselves in the bottom two sing-off last week, which would seem to indicate they may not have quite enough power to take the title. The very underrated Ruth Lorenzo remains at the back of the field at a staggering 16/1. In a one on one sing-off, Ruth can beat anyone act left, which will be a big worry for everyone else.

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BBC Strictly Come Dancing 2008 - Week 10, Rachel is Perfect

So.. you're in Strictly Come Dancing and you manage to survive a bottom two dance-off. How do you come back from this?

Well, if you're Rachel Stevens, you score an amazing 39 the next week, followed by an Outstanding maximum 40 the week after !!!

Yes, 40 was the perfect score awarded to Rachel Stevens and professional dance partner, Vincent Simone for this wondrous Foxtrot.

Rachel was falling out of favour with the Betting market to win Strictly, and at one point, her odds has edged out to as much as an incredible 10/1 ! She is now back down to 11/4 and this still looks amazing value. The quality dancing of both Austin Healey and Tom Chambers are allowing her odds to remain this high, but I still think they maybe a little too high. Rachel has a great chance of winning the series.

Miss Stevens, just has to maintain this standard. She has come good, just at the right time and hopefully she can win this on the finishing line. How do you follow a week where you scored a perfect 40 though? We shall see !

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BBC Strictly Come Dancing 2008 - Week 11, Latest Odds to Win !!!

Week 10 saw two of the Strictly Come Dancing Celebrities leave the contest. First in dramatic fashion, John Sergeant and then, through more conventional means, Jodie Kidd.

The contest is really too close to call this year, but here is how the Market currently values each Celebrities chances of winning.

Austin Healey 7/4
Tom Chambers 2/1
Rachel Stevens 11/4
Christine Bleakley 7/1
Lisa Snowdon 12/1

Austin Healey has edged out slightly to 7/4 and is now more or less the same odds as Tom Chambers to win.

The rapid improving Rachel Stevens looks fantastic value at 11/4. Last week she scored 39 and this week a perfect 40. If she maintains this form, Rachel will be virtually impossible to beat.

Christine has undoubtedly got very strong support with the voting public, but it looks very much as if this will finally develop into a three-way tussle between Rachel, Tom & Austin. I would personally bet on Rachel, simply down to the great odds offered.

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BBC Strictly Come Dancing 2008 - Week 10, John Sergeant out with Dignity intact

Who will ever know exactly what went on behind the scenes this week on Strictly Come Dancing? Not me, that's for sure.

Anyway, its seems like John Sergeant has done the right thing by opting to pull out of the competition. He will retire undefeated with his popularity as high as it can perhaps possibly go and his dignity firmly intact. This week he performed a farewell dance with dance partner, Kristina Rihanoff.

It was Kristina's first foray into the world of Strictly and she did a fantastic job with John.



John Sergeant was a breath of fresh air for Strictly Come Dancing and will be one of the most remembered celebrities that the show has ever had. He did the right thing to retire the show. It had got to a point where News reporters were camped in his front garden each day and he was making headline news just for being in a dance contest. When he pulled out, he even had to call a Press Conference. John was fully aware that the whole situation was getting well out of control and he had to put a stop to it.

Respect to John on this tricky but correct decision.

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BBC Strictly Come Dancing 2008 - Week 10, Jodie says Goodbye

Week 10 of Strictly Come Dancing and the heat is really on now. No one is safe!

After the viewers votes were added in to that of the Judges, it was Jodie Kidd and Lisa Snowdon who found themselves in the bottom two dance-off, both for the second time.

Jodie Kidd has improved beyond all recognition from the opening weeks and her final dance here, was great to watch. It was a good Jive, but Lisa Snowdon edged it.

Very interestingly, now that John Sergeant has gone, the massive Public vote seems to have switched to Christine Bleakley. It couldn't have come at a better time for her. She finished in the bottom two after the Judges scores, but the Public saved her. It is very possible that Christine could improve to get right up there with the Competition favourites.

Lisa Snowdon is now looking a bit vulnerable, but equally could end up winning the whole thing. This year... you just don't know.

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X Factor 2008 - Week7 - Rhydian Returns

All's fair in Love and War... but not on the X Factor. If it were then Rhydian surely would have won the X Factor 2007 last year. He lost in the final to Leon Jackson.

The blond haired wonder has a unique and powerful voice and like all true professionals it all seems so effortless. You just know that Rhydian will deliver time and time again and there will not be a note in the song that he won't be able to hit.

Rhydian returned to the X Factor studio this week to sing his version of Impossible Dream.

Wow! There is no one quite like Rhydian Roberts. His new album comes out on the 24th November and I hope he is around in the Music Industry for a long time to come.

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www.jenkin7.co.uk

X Factor 2008 - Week 7, Rachel Hylton goes out

X Factor 2008, Week 7, Rachel Hylton was the odds-on favourite to go out and that's exactly what happened. A fantastic raw talent, but she never really gained a great deal of popularity with the British voting public. She has the power, determination and talent to match any of the contestants out there, but just didn't have enough general appeal.

After the Public votes were totalled up, Rachel found herself in the bottom two sing-off with Louis' Boyband, JLS.

A very impressive powerhouse display from Rachel, but this was her third time in the sing-off which I think was her eventual undoing. Lets face it, in terms of record and Album sales, JLS are hugely more commercially viable. Simon Cowell struggled with the final decision on who to send home, but eventually he had to be a realist. It was goodbye to Rachel.

Hopefully this is not the end for Rachel Hylton, but in this ruthless cut throat entertainment industry, it very well could be. I hope I'm wrong.

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www.jenkin7.co.uk

BBC Strictly Come Dancing 2008 - Week 10, The Judges Scores

It just isn't the same without John Sergeant in Strictly Come Dancing. Gone is the clever humour and comedy, but now we have a rather interesting little dance competition. Strictly Come Dancing is now much a different animal.

Here are the marks after the Judges Saturday scores.

Rachel Stevens & Vincent 40 !!!!!!!!!!
Tom Chambers & Camilla 36
Austin Healey & Erin 35
Lisa Snowdon & Bendan 35
Jodie Kidd & Ian 30
Christine Bleakley & Matt 27

Rachel Stevens continues her sudden increase of form with a perfect 40.

In my opinion any one of four couple can win it this year, but it will be very interesting to see this week where the public vote goes. Before John Sergeant got oractically all of it, and who know now where those votors will go. They could very well decide to save Christine and leave Jodie Kidd and Lisa Snowdon in the bottom two dance off.

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www.jenkin7.co.uk

X Factor 2008 - Week 6, Fantastic Ruth Lorenzo

Ruth Lorenzo has been massively underrated throughout the X Factor 2008 Competition. She has landed in the bottom two more than once, but luckily survived each time. She is a fantastic singing who deserves to have great success.

Thankfully this week, her version of Robbie Williams' Angels was enough to see her through.

Ruth is not fancied at all in the betting market and they predict her to land in the bottom two in Week 7. I for one, hope she doesn't. Although, it does look likely that either Ruth or Rachel Hylton may be knocked out.

Like all of these Public Voting competitions these days, it's sadly not totally based on a performers talent. This was 100% proved this week when John Sergeant decided it best to quit the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing programme for fear of becoming a laughing stock.

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X Factor 2008 - Week 7, Who will be the next to fall?

There are not many acts left in the X Factor now as we approach the Business end of the competition. This is where the real battleground lies. Each act is there by merit, each have a separate and individual quality.

Here are the current Market odds on who will be voted out this week by the Voting public.

Rachel Hylton 8/11
Ruth Lorenzo 2/1
J L S 10/1
Eoghan Quigg 16/1
Diana Vickers 16/1
Alexandra Burke 16/1

Diana Vickers should be fully recovered from her Laryngitis and will be firing on all cylinders once again. Alexandra Burke should be safe again. Eoghan Quigg and JLS are both gaining fan bases with the voting public.

The bottom two could be a battle of the powerhouses this week, Rachel Hylton verse Ruth Lorenzo... should be something special. Fasten your seatbelts!

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BBC Strictly Come Dancing - Week 9, Tom Chambers blitzes the Salsa

35 points? That will do nicely, Tom Chambers and professional dance Partner Camilla Dallerup move through to Week 10 with ease.

Judge Craig said, "It was a little too much about you. It felt slightly selfish." The other judges disagreed strongly, with Len Goodman labelling Craig "a born again plonker!"

Craig seems to be taking a lot of Stick this series... maybe it is written into his contract.

This week, Tom and Camilla take on the Tango. Should be no problems and this dance gives them a strong chance of topping the leaderboard after the Judges scores.

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BBC Strictly Come Dancing 2008 - Week 10, Who is going out next?... tricky

With John Sergeant finally doing the decent thing and pulling out of Strictly Come Dancing, it has really thrown the competition wide open. Entertaining as he was, there was a serious threat developing of John actually winning the whole show! This would have been rather silly, but quite amusing none the less.

At a Press Conference,John said, "It was always my intention to have fun on the show and I was hoping to stay in as long as possible. The trouble is that there is now a real danger that I might win the competition. Even for me that would be a joke too far. I would like to thank Kristina and all those viewers who have been rooting for me through the series."

Respect to Mr Sergeant. I think it was the was the right decision, made at the right time. Apparently anybody that voted for him this week, will get a refund. Oh well, you can't say fairer than that I suppose. It will be strange without him there this week... it will be a bit like watching a dancing competition.

Here is now how the market looks on who will be eliminated next,

Jodie Kidd 10/11
Christine Bleakley 5/2
Lisa Snowdon 7/2
Rachel Stevens 10/1
Tom Chambers 20/1
Austin Healey 33/1

Jodie Kidd is odds on to go, but I don't think it is as cut and dry as that. The competition is extremely close and now, without John Sergeant getting the majority of viewers votes, any one can end up in the bottom two dance off. With John gone, the voting public may adopt a new hero and that could very well be Jodie Kidd.

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X Factor 2008 - Week 6, Alexandra Better Week by Week by Week

With performances like this it would not be remotely controversial if Alexandra Burke won the X Factor this year.

She was pure class this week. You can never predict the voting public at home these days, but thankfully the right decision was made and Alexandra went through to the next round.

Daniel Evans left the contest this week, he had experienced a good run and can be pleased with his progress.

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www.jenkin7.co.uk

BBC Strictly Come Dancing - Week 10, Austin Healey still the Favourite

Austin Healey was back on form with a fantastic Tango in Week 9 of Strictly Come Dancing. Great music, Great choreography and a Great performance sees Austin maintain his place as the Favourite going into week 10.

The ever excitable Bruno Tonioli said of the dance, "You went for that Tango like a rampaging beast!". I think that meant he liked it.

This dance was Austin's best so far and scored an impressive 38 points. This was somehow beaten by a 39 from the new and improved Rachel Stevens.

With the shock exit of Cherie Lunghi, Strictly looks set to eventually become a three-way battle between Austin Healey, Tom Chambers and Rachel Stevens. There are some that would add John Sergeant to this trio. Good God!

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www.jenkin7.co.uk

BBC Strictly Come Dancing - Week 9, Christine Holding her Own

Nine weeks have passed on the BBC Strictly Come Dancing series. Although never being amongst the favourites in the betting market or have topped the Judges leaderboard, Christine has continued to dance well and has never appeared in the bottom two. Could she be the dark horse of the contest?

Christine is popular with the voting public and one feels she would only need to improve slightly to be right up there fighting it out.

Her Waltz with Matthew Cutler this week was another sound performance which earned her 34 points. Christine is considered an outsider and is quoted at 12/1 to win the contest.

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BBC Strictly Come Dancing - Week 10, Their Odds to Win

Yes, it's true... John Sergeant is still in the competition. Of course, it's because of his amazing dancing prowess and nothing to do with the voting mad Public voting. John to win? Well you can currently get odds of 16/1.

Cherie Lunghi surprisingly went out last week, having to tackle one of the tricky latin style dances which everyone seems to struggle on. Here are the latest odds on who the betting market think most likely to win.

Austin Healey 6/5
Tom Chambers 9/4
Rachel Stevens 6/1
Lisa Snowdon 8/1
Christine Bleakley 12/1
John Sergeant 16/1
Jodie Kidd 25/1

After her last two improved performances, Rachel Stevens is looking great value at 6/1. Lisa Snowdon has topped the leaderboard before and is at 8/1.

However, the market just wants to know about Austin Healey. His odds are very short. So short in fact, that the Bookmakers don't seem to want people to bet on him. I wonder why?

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X Factor 2008 - Week 7, Eoghan Quigg to win?

Can Eoghan Quigg win this years X Factor?

As each week goes by, it's looking like he could.

Cheryl Cole's original acts of Laura White, Alexandra Burke and Diana Vickers were so strong in the betting market it was very hard to look elsewhere for the eventual winner. But, Laura White is gone, Diana Vickers is still recovering from illness and Alexandra Burke is now joint second favourite with the improving Eoghan.

Louis Walsh has always maintained that Eoghan would reach the final, but I seriously had my doubts... until now. He doesn't have the most powerful voice in the world, but a quality pitch and smooth tone. You could imagine him selling records and having Number ones.

I'm still behind Diana Vickers to win, but a final between her and Eoghan Quigg would be quite exciting to see. Down to just the Public Vote, guessing the winner would be extremely unpredictable.

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X Factor 2008 - Week 7 - The Latest Odds to Win

Last week we saw the exit of Daniel Evans after a bottom two clash with Rachel Hylton. Ruth Lorenzo escaped the sing off this time round so perhaps the British public are finally warming to her. Here are the latest quoted odds on who will win the X Factor 2008!

Diana Vickers 13/8
Eoghan Quigg 11/4
Alexandra Burke 11/4
J L S 9/2
Ruth Lorenzo 20/1
Rachel Hylton 33/1

Diana Vickers has had her troubles these last couple of weeks recovering from severe laryngitis and although still the favourite, she is not as strong as she was.

Most significant in the Market is that Simon Cowell's, Eoghan Quigg, has moved up to become joint second favourite with Alexandra Burke. That is an interesting move. Acts that improve like this historically have a good chance of winning.

JLS remain steady in the middle of the pack with Ruth Lorenzo and Rachel Hylton some way behind. These two have shown however, when caught in a bottom two sing off, are capable of beating anyone. Both girls would be dangerous to come directly up against.

This week should be a cracker!

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X Factor 2008 - Week 6, Diana staggers through

Respect has to be given to Diana Vickers in the X Factor Competition. She was looking good as the Favourite and then was struck down by severe Laryngitis. Unlucky is not the word.

Diana was forced to miss last week and this time, she was clearly still ill. Despite this Miss Vickers did a miraculous job. A very tough week for her to get through, but get through she did. Mentor Cheryl Cole will be mightily relived after losing Laura White last week.

With this performance of Coldplay's Yellow, Diana Vickers deservedly sails through to Week 7. Not only did she sing through the pain of Laryngitis, due to a last minute song change, she had hadly any rehearsal time. Simply amazing.

This Week was one to just survive and hopefully 7 more days can bring Diana to full recovery. The X Factor needs a unique singer like her.

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BBC Strictly Come Dancing 2008, Rachel Stevens Coming Good

In Strictly Come Dancing, Rachel Stevens is getting good just at the right time. She had a fairly modest start, but last week scored 35 and this week, an astonishing 39!

Her Rumba earned the highest score of the Series so far and one suspects there maybe even more to come.

I can't believe that Rachel's Boyfriend had to sit and watch this. To describe the dance as steamy would be a bit of an understatement. It certainly ticked all the boxes with the four Judges anyway!

It was a fantastic dance by Rachel and dance partner Vincent Simone. Maybe they will start getting a bit more Public support from here on in. They finished in the bottom two the previous week.

A very tight competition this, but it will probably be down to 4 couples. The Enigma that is John Sergeant is not one of them, but he may very well take out one of the Favourites along the way. Not directly of course. The voting public will save him from the Bottom two one week and two of the Favourites will have to battle it out for survival.

The big four are currently, Austin Healey, Tom Chambers, Rachel Stevens and Lisa Snowdon. Lisa landed in the bottom two this week, but survived to knock out Cherie Lunghi. Both Jodie Kidd and Christine Bleakely were safe this time and it will be interesting to see what they can come up with to close in on the leaders. The task will be tough, but not entirely impossible.

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BBC Strictly Come Dancing 2008 - Week 9, The Curse of the Latin

There is perhaps no doubt, when it comes to Strictly Come Dancing, the Latin dances are always a lot harder to perfect than the Ballroom. Because of this fact, the Ballroom dances always score a bit higher.

If your favourite celebrity in the show is dancing a Latin performance, then be worried. It is probably time pick up the phone and get voting. This week the bottom two finishers, Cherie Lunghi and Lisa Snowdon, both were engaging in Latin dances. Coincidence? I think not.

Cherie Lunghi eventually went out after the Judges decision, but you couldn't help feeling a bit sorry for her. Cherie definitely deserved to progress a little further in the contest. She had struggled with the Latin side, but this was one of her better attempts at the genre.

Of the original performance an animated Judge Bruno said, "What a pair of pins! This is a breakthrough - you can do Latin. I loved it!"

Judge Craig added, "You're magnificent to watch and you're beginning to conquer Latin".

Good comments, but not enough votes I'm afraid. Judge Arlene said she felt she wasn't Judging a Dance off, but instead a Final. Who will be in the bottom two next week? Well... it could be anyone! The least likely is probably John Sergeant.

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BBC Strictly Come Dancing 2008 - Week 9, Shock: Cherie Lunghi Out !!!

Cherie Lunghi had a serious chance of winning Strictly Come Dancing this year, but now shockingly, after landing in the bottom two with Lisa Snowdon, is out of the running.

When Cherie danced Ballroom she was outstanding, maybe the best in contest. Unfortunately, the latin side let her down slightly and this sadly was her eventual undoing. Still... she probably deserved to progress further than John Sergeant, but this is what we have come to expect of these types of public vote orientated TV competitions.

Lisa Snowdon was a tad better in the dance off and based on that alone, deserved to stay in with professional dance partner, Brendan Cole. The decision was not unaninmous however,

This would have been a scare for Lisa & Brendan who have before finished top of the Leaderboard. Stictly Come Dancing is now wide open.

Can John Sergeant now get to the final? I can see him avoiding the bottom two for a few more weeks, which would see him pick off Christine Bleakley, Jodie Kidd and Lisa Snowdon. Sometimes you don't know whether to laugh or cry... maybe a bit of both is appropriate.

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BBC Strictly Come Dancing 2008 - Week 9, Can John Do it Again ?

John Sergeant danced the American Smooth this week on Strictly Come Dancing. Although, he did show some improvement over previous shambles, John predictably finished bottom again after the Judges scores.

Not embarrassing this week, Mr Sergeant scored a credible 25 points.

But... Can John defy the odds once again and survive yet another week?

Well, it's certainly possible. Very impossible in fact. If he were to finish top of the Viewers votes, this will average him to finish mid-table and free of the bottom two placings and the subsequent dance off. I think this is very likely to happen.

As John Sergeant himself puts it. Himself and professional dance partner Kristina Rihanhoff are a team... she does the dancing, he does the jokes.



In just a few hours we will find out the results (in no particular order of course). Tune in to BBC1 this evening. It could be a shock result!

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www.jenkin7.co.uk

X Factor 2008 - Week 6, Leona Lewis Returns

Global Pop Star, Leona Lewis won the X Factor in 2006. Since then her career as exploded forward like a powerful shooting star.

This week she returned to the X Factor stage to perform her new song, Run. It was a song originally performed by Snow Patrol.

Leona is a rare talent. This was an extraordinary performance, but every performance Leona give is extraordinary so maybe that is no surprise. The competition would be hard pushed ever again to find somebody of her quality. There are some fantastic acts this year, but Leona Lewis is Leona Lewis.

X Factor 2006 saw her Mentored by Simon Cowell and I'm sure he knew, pretty early on, he had a guaranteed chance of winning.



I wonder what happened to Ray?

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www.jenkin7.co.uk

X Factor 2008 - Week 6, Daniel Evans Finally goes out

Daniel Evans had perhaps been living a charmed life in X Factor 2008. A few weeks running, he had been quoted as odds on to go out, but somehow managed to scrape through. As the weeks went by though, the competition just got tougher and tougher and inevitably, he was unable to hold on.

This was one of those performances where I liked it, but not sure if was for the correct reasons. It's Not Unusual is a forgiving song if done badly because it always will bring in a slight comedy element.

To be fair to Daniel, he did improve over the weeks, but now was probably the right time to go. When he landed in the bottom two with the powerful Rachel Hylton, there was only ever going to be one result.

In the Sing off, Daniel sang Bridge over Troubled Water. It was pleasant, but not over sparkling of future X Factor stardom.

Hat's off to Daniel for lasting as long as he did, and for coming back uneffected each week despite the continued dire summings up from Louis Walsh. Hopefully the X Factor can give him the platform to go on to do other things.

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www.jenkin7.co.uk

BBC Strictly Come Dancing 2008 - Week 9 - The Judges Scores !

It's week 9 and the dancers of Strictly Come Dancing are really looking good now. Well... all of them apart from one. But that one was so entertaining then I will let him off this week. Here are the Judges scores!

Rachel Stevens & Vincent - 39
Austin Healey & Erin - 38
Tom Chambers & Camilla - 35
Christine Bleakley & Matt - 34
Jodie Kidd & Ian - 33
Cherie Lunghi & James - 32
Lisa Snowdon & Brendan - 30
John Sergeant & Kristina - 25

After drifting in the market week after week, suddenly a bomb goes off and Rachel Stevens delivers the performance we all she was capable of. Last week she performed will with 35 points, but this week was something else entirely with a huge 39 to top the leaderboard. Wow! She is safe from the bottom two this week... unless some one changes the rules.

Austin was back in gear, scoring 38 and everybody did particularly well. If the Public save John Sergeant again, the bottom two are going to be fairly unpredictable.

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www.jenkin7.co.uk

BBC Strictly Come Dancing - Week 9, Tonights Dances

Heather Small was eliminated last week and Rachel Stevens surprisingly found herself in the bottom two. In Strictly Come Dancing this year, seemingly anything can happen. Three couples shared first place on the leaderboard and John Sergeant went through without a scrape.

What dance is everyone performing this week for round 9? Here is the list.

Austin Healey & Erin - Tango
Tom Chambers & Camilla - Salsa
Cherrie Lunghi & James - Cha Cha Cha
Rachel Stevens & Vincent - Rumba
Lisa Snowdon & Brendan - Samba
Christine Bleakley & Matt - Waltz
Jodie Kidd & Ian - Quickstep
John Sergeant & Kristina - American Smooth

With a solid definite styled dance like the Tango, Austin Healey has a great chance of bouncing back from last weeks troubles to top the Leaderboard.

The most talked about dance with the British public is most likely to be John Sergeant's American Smooth. This really is car crash television and its obviously what the people at home want. All we need now is Harry Hill to do the commentary.

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I'm a Celebrity, What are my Chances of Winning?

The yearly Jungle show hasn't even properly started yet, but already the Bookmakers are quoting odds on the eventual winner. I suppose it is not much of a surprise really, such is the popularity of the show. Ever since the Celebrities for Get Me out of Here! were revealed, interest has grown to the usual expected frenzy.

If anything can be drawn at this early or pre-early stage, here are the market odds of victory.

Joe Swash 7/2
Simon Webbe 4/1
Martina Navratilova 7/1
George Takei 7/1
Esther Rantzen 8/1
Carly Zucker 8/1
Dani Behr 12/1
Brian Paddick 12/1
Robert Kilroy Silk 14/1
Nicola McLean 14/1

Ex-Eastenders star is installed as the early favourite from Simon Webb, formally of the boyband Blue.

Robert Kilroy Silk has never been in a Boyband or Eastenders or indeed very popular which may explain why he is not very favoured to win. He is however, equally favoured to glamour model Nicola Mclean, who is largely unknown to just about every one outside her own house.

I'm hoping that Mr Sulu wins, aka George Takei. He never let the Starship Enterprise down so I'm definitely with him. If Martina Navratilova turns out to be a Klingon, then it could really get interesting.

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X Factor 2008 - Week 6, Which Mentor will win? The Current Odds !

The brightly lit path of the X Factor 2008 has been a bit controversial this year. Good acts that you think may have a chance of winning seem to quickly get shown the exit door. First Austin Drage, who didn't really put a foot wrong and then the following Week, the shock elimination of Second Favourite Laura White.

Who will go next? Who knows, the results at the moment seem completely random. Here is how the current market values each of the four mentor's chances of winning.

Cheryl Cole 4/11
Simon Cowell 5/1
Louis Walsh 5/1
Dannii Minogue 12/1

It's been a tough week for Cheryl Cole's acts. She unbelievably lost the talented Laura White and the unique Diana Vickers is still desperately trying to recover from Laryngitis. Despite all these problems, Cheryl is still quoted at odds-on to win. Cheryl should still do it, but at these odds is looking fragile, and it would be a brave person to take these on.

Dannii Minogue is the only Mentor to have all three acts left in the competition, but is quoted as the rank outsider at 12/1. Her secret weapon appears to be Daniel Evans, who has found some support with the voting public. To be fair, he is a long way off being the best act.

Simon Cowell has Eoghan Quigg and Louis Walsh, improving boyband JLS.

If Cheryl were to lose another act this week, then the X Factor would become very interesting indeed.

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BBC Strictly Come Dancing 2008, Week 8/9, Is Lisa Waltzing to Victory?

Are Lisa Snowdon and professional dance partner Waltzing to victory? Well... they very well might be!

After a fairly modest start to Strictly Come Dancing, Lisa Snowdon has shown she is more than capable of Winning the Title. Not for the first time this series, Lisa finished again top of the table after the Judges votes and has to be considered a serious contender.

This beautiful Viennese Waltz scored a high total of 36 points to land joint-top with Tom Chambers and Cherie Lunghi.

The four judges all gave glowing praise.

Head Judge, Len Goodman said, "...from week one you are the most improved dancer of this series."

This week Lisa Snowdon has to successfully navigate the Samba. This dance has caused a number of the celebrity dancers a few problems. It saw the demise of Andrew Castle and was Jodie Kidd's lowest scoring dance so far. But... if anyone can do it, Lisa can!

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X Factor 2008 - Week 6, Will Diana Vickers have to pull out of the Competition?

Due to severe Laryngitis, competition favourite, Diana Vickers was given a bye last week. This meant that although unable to perform, she was allowed to progress to the next round of the X Factor.

It is now Thursday and it is still very unclear whether Diana has recovered. We are just 2 days aways from the next Live round.

She has been to the Doctor's this week for a second check-up, but there is still no news of her progress. Such is Diana Vickers popularity, people are now asking,

Should Diana be given another week off if she is still too sick to sing?

No doubt, she would have got through any way, but is this exactly fair on the other entrants? The answer is probably no... it will be interesting to see how this one plays out.

It is an uncomfortable time for Mentor Cheryl Cole, who last week saw Laura White surprisingly leave and now faces the chance of Diana Vickers having to leave the show through illness.

Fingers crossed that Diana can comeback this Saturday. Last week she was certainly missed.

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X Factor 2008 - Week 5, Daniel Evans still In

Daniel Evans is a good singer... but he's not a great singer.

Is he unique? Is he a recording artist? Does he have the X Factor? I would have to say NO.

Everyone has their own opinions of course and the fact Daniel is still in the contest shows, he does have some Public support behind him. It also probably helps each week that Louis Walsh, in particular, tears apart his performance. This time, Walsh said he couldn't win the contest in a Million years. It's probably nearer two Million I would say.

To be fair, on Mariah Carey theme night, Daniel did sound a bit better than previous outings.

Daniel Evans is again, odds-on to go out of the X Factor Competition this week. It's very possible he could go through again to leave Ruth Lorenzo and Rachel Hylton battling it out in the bottom two sing off. Hopefully this doesn't happen.

All will be revealed this Saturday.

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