Britain's Got Talent becomes the X Factor as Simon Cowell is bowled over by two very young (and very talented) female singers

By Marcus Barnes
PUBLISHED: 22:46, 14 April 2012 | UPDATED: 23:06, 14 April 2012


You could be mistaken for thinking you were watching the X Factor tonight, after two singers stormed their way through the auditions on Britain's Got Talent.
Teenagers Paige Hurley, 14, and Hope Murphy, 16, both brought the house down in their respective auditions both north and south of the border.
And Simon Cowell was left with a familiar knowing smile on his face after watching both girls in action.

Exciting: Hope Murphy and Paige Hurley brought the house down on tonight's Britain's Got Talent

Firstly Hope Murphy, a 16-year-old singer from Upminster in Essex wowed with her performance.
She got off to a wobbly start after Simon stopped her a few seconds into her song and said he's heard it all before.
After requesting her her song choices he selected This Woman's Work by Maxwell for her to sing.
She powered her way through the emotional song, without a hint of nerves - Simon wearing that mischievous grin throughout her performance, which ended with a standing ovation from the audience.

Impressed: The Essex girl received a unanimous 'yes' from the judging panel

David told her: 'That was incredible. You've got a great voice.'
Amanda called her a 'Star in the making.'
While Simon said: 'You sang that very very well. I like your personality as well.'
Alesha gushed: 'I'm excited about you, that was a great audition.'

Teen sensation: 14-year-old Paige wowed the judges with her performance of Skinny Love by Birdy

In Scotland it was Paige Turley, a 14-year-old singer, who brought the house down after several bizarre acts left the judges aghast.
Oddball Neil Lawson taking the biscuit when he stepped out on stage in a leather jacket and stripped down to suspenders and knee high boots.
Paige sang Skinny Love, by Birdy, and nailed it as her parents wept backstage and Simon sported another of his wry smiles.
Obviously impressed Alesha told her: 'You are adorable, I loved your song choice, it was different and surprising. You shopuld be proud and your family should be proud.'

Overcome: Paige meets Ant and Dec backstage and can't believe the positive response she's had

David added: 'Look and sound like a pop star. Fantastic.'
Amanda agreed, saying: 'Your voice is amazing. You've got a really bright future ahead of you.'
And Simon enhused: 'I think you are absolutely fantastic. I love the fact that you didn't do an exact copy of the song. You've got a unique voice, I really, really like you.'
It was a unanimous yes from the judging panel.
Earlier in the show the Showbears were first on and put on a highly entertaining performance, that ended up with David Walliams joining them on stage.

Shocking stockings: Neil Lawson was voted off the show within seconds

The hilarious homosexual troupe were dressed in glittery sailor outfits.
Davdi was heard to comment: 'Simon, they could be the new One Direction.'
They turned in a rib-tickling rendition of It's Raining Men, with their own take on The Weather Girls song, singing 'We're sailor men', in replacement of the original chorus.
David couldn't contain his inner gay man and told them: 'I wanna join and sing that song with you...'

Hello sailor! David Walliams joins the Showbears on stage

The boys beckoned him on to the stage, but he told them: 'If you get me an outfit.'
Though he said: 'I may be too camp and send it over the edge.'
He joined them on stage and awkwardly followed the boys with a glittery hat on his head, of course getting right into the camp show.
Alesha told them: 'The country's going to fall in love with you.'
And Amanda said: 'The royal family will love you.'
But despite Simon's comment that 'It was rubbish, but sort of good', the group made it through.

Just couldn't help himself! The comedian camped it up as he usually does

The Face Team acrobatic basketball team from Hungary followed with a spectacular display of basketball skills using a trampoline to pull off a series of increasingly complex dunks.
Even Simon was seen mouthing 'Wow!' at one point.
Amanda told the team: 'I have never seen anything like it before.'
Alesha repeated Amanda's comments and added: 'I would love to see it again.'

Up in the air: The Face Team basketball acrobats impressed the panel

David commented: 'I love seeing things I wouldn't be able to do. You guys have blown us away.'
While Simon said: 'What you did in between wasn't great. You need to work on it.'
All the judges put the team through.
Next up were United We Stand a dance group from Stratford.
They say they'll put the winning money into a community centre, before launching into a very impressive routine.

Heartwarming: Paula and Gary of Strictly Wheels

Dave said: 'My heart always sinks when I see dance acts because we've seen so many great ones. After two seconds I knew it was something special.'
Alesha said: 'You were so sharp and precise. You hit it hard we could feel that energy. You. Blew. Me. Away.'
Simon told them: 'We've seen a lot of dance acts and I mention Diversity, because they're the template. This was about as close as I've seen to that. Massive massive potential, I like everything you stand for.
Finally, Strictly Wheels hit the stage.

Turning dancing on its head: Strictly Wheels rock the stage

They're a dance duo comprised Gary and Paula, who is in a wheelchair.
They dance to New York by Alicia Keys.
Their act started really slow but soon kicked in with a high energy version of the track which had the audience off their feet and clapping.
David told them: 'That was amazing. You turned what might have been a negative into a positive.'
Amanda said to Paula: 'Your control of that chair is unbelievable.'
And Simon said: 'I thought it would be uncomfortable. Suddenly Paula kicks off, you were better than Gary by the way. You're fun, I like you two.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2129850/BRITAINS-GOT-TALENT-Britains-Got-Talent-X-Factor-Simon-Cowell-bowled-young-talented-female-singers.html#ixzz1s6iTTImt

Simon Cowell reveals his 'love' for Dannii Minogue

'I had a crush on her. It was her hair, the sexy clothes...she was foxy': Simon Cowell reveals his 'love' for Dannii Minogue

By Daily Mail Reporter
PUBLISHED: 00:55, 15 April 2012 | UPDATED: 10:04, 15 April 2012

Simon Cowell has revealed that he felt 'genuine love' for Dannii Minogue as it emerges that he had a love affair with the singer.
The music mogul, 52, has admitted he felt 'like a schoolboy' around the Australian star during her time as a judge on the X Factor.
Details of the affair have been revealed in a book entitled The Intimate Life Of Simon Cowell, written by former BBC journalist Tom Bower.

'Genuine love': Simon Cowell has admitted he felt 'like a schoolboy' during his alleged affair with Dannii Minogue

In the book, Cowell speaks about the affair - though Dannii and Simon had both denied it in 2008 when it was alleged to have taken place - before she got together with Kris Smith.
He is quoted as saying: 'I had a crush on her. It was Dannii's hair, the sexy clothes and the t**s. I was like a schoolboy. She was foxy. She was a real man's girl. Very feminine.'



Although, it's also claimed in the book that Simon felt he was not ready for a relationship having split with long-term girlfriend Terri Seymour before Dannii became his conquest.
The book describes how Dannii became Cowell's target when he changed the X Factor judging panel in 2007 to include her, allegedly calling her a 'new toy.'

Affair: Simon Cowell and Dannii Minogue appeared to be holding hands as they left the BBC Studio in White City in 2007

And that same year, he said: 'Dannii reckons there’s a picture on The X Factor website where I’m staring at her bottom.
'I probably was... but I think most people would if they were sitting next to her. She was probably sticking it out on purpose.
'Every guy in the world fancies Dannii. She’s become a sex symbol since joining the show, and the contestants love her. She’s got that Sophia Loren, movie-star sex appeal, I love sitting next to her.'

More than friends? According to a new book Simon Cowell had a short-lived relationship with Dannii Minogue in 2007

However, fans of the ITV talent show will remember that the pair didn't always sit next to each other.
When Minogue first appeared on the show back in 2007, she took pride place at the judging panel sitting next to Cowell while fellow female judge Sharon Osbourne sat next to Louis Walsh.
This was also around the same time when Minogue was forced to deny that she was close to the X Factor mogul after the publication of a photo appeared to show the pair apparently holding hands in the back of a car.
She said: 'We were not holding hands. But no one believes me. It was the angle of the picture.'

'New toy': Cowell made sure that the singer sat right next to him when she joined the X Factor judging panel back in 2007

Out with the old: By the time Cheryl Cole arrived in 2008, Cowell decided it was time for Minogue to swap seats

The following year, when Cheryl Cole arrived as the new addition to the judging panel, Cowell was quick to shift Dannii over and let the Girls Aloud star be right next to him - meaning perhaps their romance had fizzled out.

It's also alleged that Cowell took pleasure in the rift between Minogue and Osbourne during her time on the show.
The book also claims that Cowell attempted to sleep with another Australian pin-up Natalie Imbruglia as recently as last year.
It says that he invited her aboard his yacht Slipstream, having already had a brief fling with her.
However, they had nothing more than a 'K & C' (kiss and a cuddle) according to the book.

Before they met: Dannii Minogue's fling with Simon Cowell happened before she got together with Kris Smith

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2129951/Simon-Cowell-opens-love-Dannii-Minogue.html#ixzz1s6Z5DJFb

Estelle is eye-catching as she flaunts her curves in mini shorts and thigh-high leather boots

She certainly has the X Factor! Estelle is eye-catching as she flaunts her curves in mini shorts and thigh-high leather boots

By Jade Watkins

Last updated at 6:51 PM on 7th March 2012


She is said to be in talks with Simon Cowell to replace Kelly Rowland on the UK X Factor when it returns later this year.

And Estelle showed she certainly has presence as she made an appearance at Pure nightclub in Las Vegas last night.

The 32-year-old singer was eye-catching as showed off her curves in a pair of sparkling mini shorts and a pair of thigh-high leather boots for her night out.

Hell for leather: Estelle was eye-catching in a pair of sparkling mini shorts and a pair of thigh-high leather boots as she attended an event in Las Vegas last night

The British songstress paired the look with a tight black T-shirt and accessorised with some silver metallic jewellery.

She coiffed her short red cropped hair in a polished style and wore lashings of coral lipstick.

While Rowland hasn't even officially quit The X Factor, it was recently reported that Cowell was apparently hoping Estelle may be a good replacement for her when the show returns later this year.

Show boss Cowell is reportedly in talks with the American Boy singer about the possibility of her joining the ITV1 show when it returns to screens later this year.

Daring look: The British songstress paired the look with a tight black T-shirt and accessorised with some silver metallic accessories

His decision comes as it was claimed Rowland had told Cowell, 52, that she was quitting the TV talent show to focus on her solo career in the US.

An insider told The Sun newspaper: 'Estelle's name is very high on his list now and serious enquiries have been made as to her availability for auditions in May.'

Tulisa Contostavlos – who mentored last year's winners Little Mix – as well as Gary Barlow and Louis Walsh have all allegedly been offered pay rises to return to the series.

However, a source recently told The Sun that Rowland was still on a shortlist of potential female stars who could appear on the ITV show.

A source said: 'It seems to be taken as read that Kelly is not coming back but that is wrong. Simon Cowell and executive producer Richard Holloway were very pleased with her on last year's show and would have her back. It's at an early stage and discussions have yet to start. But Kelly is still very much in the mix.'

Shuffle: Simon Cowell is said to be in talks with Estelle to join the UK X Factor judging panel after reports that Kelly Rowland might be

It had been reported that Kelly was fed up with the 'circus' around the series.

But a friend said: 'Kelly had a great time and is actually very keen to come back.

'She loved all the drama, even when it was pretty harsh against her. Kelly is a tough cookie and a few barbs from viewers or whoever is water off a duck's back to her.

'Yes, it was a draining experience and one she probably didn't realise at the outset was going to be quite so gruelling.

'But mentoring her acts — especially Misha B — was really rewarding for her and she loved it. Talks haven't started but they will soon.'

Take That star Gary is in talks about reprising his role on the panel and Tulisa and Louis Walsh are believed to be returning.

Panel: Last year's X Factor panel featured Louis Walsh, Tulisa Contostavlos, Kelly Rowland and Gary Barlow

Cowell, who left the panel after the 2010 series, moving to the US version, has also revealed he could make a comeback.

He said: 'Maybe if we can move the dates around so I can do both shows in the future because I miss it. The other judges are not as good as me.'

An X Factor spokesman told the paper: 'No decisions have been made on this year's judging panel.'


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2111615/Estelle-eye-catching-flaunts-curves-mini-shorts-thigh-high-leather-boots.html#ixzz1oT2PSaHa

Little Mix reach dizzying heights as live X Factor tour hits Wembley

They're flying high! Little Mix reach dizzying heights as live X Factor tour hits Wembley

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 5:24 PM on 4th March 2012


They may have won X Factor but Little Mix are no-ones puppets - although onstage they could be forgiven for looking like they were on strings.

In fact the five piece are wowing crowds with their performances on the X Factor tour, reaching dizzying heights with their flying performance.

As the tour reached London's Wembley Arena, crowds of more than 12,000 flocked to the capital to see if Little Mix were as good in the flash.

Flying high: Little Mix reach dizzying heights on the X Factor tour

And Jade Thirlwall, 18, Perrie Edwards, also 18, Jesy Nelson, 20, and Leigh-Anne Pinnock, 19, did not disappoint.

The crowd reportedly screamed the house down as the X Factor winners came onstage.

Like true stars, the girls had several costume changes going from trainers to skirts - even as they hoisted above crowds.

Don't look down! Little Mix prove they can sing, fly and look good all at the same time

From up high, to down low...: Little Mix wow Wembly

Divas: Jesy steals the show in her studs and shock red hair

Their feet have not hit the ground! The group performed infront of more than 12,000 fans

At their first performance earlier this year the girls seemed to enjoy themselves with Leigh-Ann tweeting after: 'Woooooo first tour performance was AMAZE BALLS! second one tonight is gonna be even better!!! WHOOOOP!'

Before the tour kicked off Little Mix singer Jade said: 'We cannot believe it – we’re the first girl group ever to go on The X Factor tour and it means so much to us. We just can’t wait to get on the stage to perform. It’s going to be incredible.'

And Perrie added: 'For us to come on this journey together and now have the opportunity to play some of the biggest arenas in front of people that have voted for us is just mind-blowing.'

Trainers only! The girls opted for casual footwear for their energetic performance

Come down! Marcus Collins, runner up, is not gesturing for the girls to come down but doing his own performance, followed by Janet Devlin

Dancing queens! Marcus Collins performs with his backing dancers

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2110049/X-Factor-tour-2012-Little-Mix-reach-dizzying-heights-onstage.html#ixzz1oBy1etqA