Star potential... Just how far can Devon's X Factor finalists go?
The nation’s number one singing show moves into its spectacular live shows phase on Saturday night (12 October, 8.00-10.15pm). It’s time to bring out the leg warmers and strap on the shoulder pads as X Factor embraces the music of the 80s as the theme for the first live show.
The families and friends of not one but two Devon singers will be whooping and cheering on Saturday night, as Shelley Smith, 34, and Luke Friend, 17, will be appearing on the live show this weekend having impressed the judges enough to make it into the X Factor house.
Shelley lives in Farringdon, just outside Exeter, with her seven-year-old daughter Madeline. She has been a van driver delivering car parts for 15 years while playing various gigs at weddings and birthdays. She also stages mini-performances in her back garden for her daughter and all of her friends.
Shelley is hoping that she will be third time lucky in this year’s competition having made it as far as boot camp in 2008 and 2012.
Shelley’s powerful renditions of Aretha Franklin’s Respect won her the support of judge Sharon Osbourne who chose her as part of her team to take through to the finals.
Shelley said: “I’m overwhelmed to be in the live shows and feel unbelievably proud that Mrs O sees something and believes in me.
“I was so shocked when she chose me. Apart from having Madeline, it was the best day of my life so far. It's been such a rollercoaster for me this year and I'm happy that X Factor has given me an opportunity to shine. I can’t wait to work with all of the vocal coaches to bring out the best of me.”
Meanwhile, Luke Friend from Teignmouth - and a perennial favourite at Mama Stone’s in Exeter - has made it into Louis Walsh’s final three following his performance of Cannonball by Damien Rice, which Luke confides he sang to his grandfather before he passed away from cancer.
Luke said: “Performing Damian Rice’s song Cannonball for Louis and the guest judges was really emotional for me. Two years ago my grandpa died of cancer; when I went in to see him I didn’t even talk to him, I just sang that song. We were really close; I would always go round his house and perform songs to him, as he was the only person who would always give me an honest opinion.
“The whole X Factor experience has been wonderful and now I'm through to the live shows it is a wonderful feeling. The most exciting part of my first week’s performance is totally changing an 80’s classic and making it completely my style.”
Luke has won great audience support from the audition stage onwards with his now iconic (and unwashed) dreadlocks, which even have their own twitter account!
Luke said: “Louis said that now I’m through to the live shows he would make me wash my hair but I do wash it! I just don't wash it with soap. I wash it with water. It doesn't smell or anything, because otherwise that would be really horrible. If I went in the pool or the sea, for example, I wouldn't wash it afterwards because the chlorine or the salt water is really good for it. Obviously it's not good if you want silky smooth hair but it is good for what I want."
Louis said: "I chose Luke because he is different - he's original, he spends all his time listening to music and he's in it for the music."
Dermot O'Leary will be presiding over proceedings in his inimitable style, while judges and mentors Louis Walsh, Sharon Osbourne, Gary Barlow and Nicole Scherzinger take their seats behind the judges’ desk to battle it out with their contestants.
Louis has the Boys, Sharon the Overs, Gary the Groups and Nicole the Girls. There is sure to be drama and disagreements between the judges as the competition hots up, but one thing they can agree on is that the standard of competition is better than ever this year.
And introducing the dramatic new FLASH VOTE at the end of the show. Once every contestant has performed, voting lines will open for under ten minutes, giving viewers the opportunity to save their favourite act from the bottom two.
After voting lines have closed and the votes have been counted and verified, the contestant with the lowest number of votes will be revealed and told that they face the sing-off tomorrow night. Voting lines for the remaining contestants will then reopen until Sunday night’s show where the second contestant to face the sing off will be revealed.
So don't forget to tune in and vote for Devon's X Factor contestants on Saturday (8-10.15pm) and Sunday night (8-9pm) to see them through to the next round and a step closer to the final.
Follow Shelley on Twitter: @The Shelley Smith
Follow Luke on Twitter: @LukeFriendMusic
