Joe McElderry WILL be Number One, predict experts:
Joe McElderry is predicted to storm ahead in the battle for the Christmas Number One today, as his single The Climb is released on CD. As heatworld predicted earlier this week, Rage Against The Machine's Killing In The Name did just inch ahead in the download charts, but industry insiders have every confidence that today Joe will sell thousands more copies. The X Factor winner will be signing copies of the single in South Shields later this afternoon, which will also push sales. A spokesman from HMV said last night, "Chances are that the best part of half a million copies of the X Factor single will be sold over the rest of the week. It remains a near-certainty that Joe will go on to land the Christmas Number One." Have you bought either of these singles yet? What do you think should be Number One this Christmas?
Kelly Rowland to join The X Factor?
Destiny's Child singer Kelly Rowland has revealed she'd love a spot on the X Factor judging panel next year, after Simon Cowell hinted that he may expand on the existing four spots. It was thought that Simon wanted Robbie Williams to join the team, but his busy career could mean this isn't possible, and having a big R&B star like Kelly could help to raise the show's profile. Surely it's as high as it can be? Kelly says she would be a tough judge, but that she'd really enjoy living in London during the three or so months that the show's running. Meanwhile, boss Simon Cowell has said he wants David Bowie to take part in the show next year, and that he's offered rapper Eminem and his pal Dr Dre the chance to be guest judges next year. "I'd love to have them on as guest judges," he said. We would love it too!
Rhydian has a pop and Robbie and Olly
One person not feeling so much love for The X Factor at the moment is former runner-up Rhydian Roberts. The Welsh warbler, who came second to Leon Jackson, has had a pop at Olly Murs performance with Robbie Williams, likening it to "two drunks singing karaoke". Ouch. Rolly's (Robbie and Olly, geddit?) performance of Angels was really touching, in our opinion, even if Robbie did mess up the opening lines. Rhydian snarled, "Olly had to prompt his idol on the words. The rest of the song was like two guys doing drunken karaoke." Ouch!
Ben Fogle chases robbers with sledge!
Ben Fogle has admitted he was left "shaken up" after confronting four would-be robbers at his London home. The reality star and TV presenter was waiting at his Kensington home to welcome his wife and newborn son Ludovic home from hospital, when four men jumped over the back wall into the garden and tried to smash their way through the door. Quick-thinking Ben picked up a sledge (yes a sledge, it is nearly Christmas) and chased them off with it, helped by his dog Inca. He later admitted, "I think they got a bit of a shock when I opened the door." We love that Ben just becomes more and more like a real-life action hero.