1st TIME EVER BEFORE THE SHOW BLOG, WELL IT IS SEMI FINAL WEEK

For those who believe that the live shows have been tense, you ain't seen nothing...!
This week, it is The X Factor semi-final and with just Ben, Leona and Ray remaining, nerves have never been so strong.
This week's theme is 'Songs to get you into the final' - well, it does what it says (at least it will for two of our contestants).
The producers are keeping tight-lipped about the song choices.
Joining the semi-finalists this week will be special, guest star Gloria Estefan who will be performing as well as offering her tips and feedback.

For my money, Ray will be sacrificed, yes live on television, not for the squeamish! The world and his wife want Leona to win so someone has to go and I think it will be Ray because he is from the same group, Simon's. There really isn't a ciggy paper between them and in the long term I don't think it matters, they will of course all do well from the programme. Don't forget previous competitions of this nature the runners up have actually done better. Girls Aloud, Liberty X etc.
In that respect it is less important who wins or should I say loses tonight, though I do want there to be a woman winner of XFactor and from a red blooded males point of view Leona is all woman! The geographic factor does come in to play therefore it should be Ray that wins and on the other hand Ben is capable of reproducing the music that I favour so maybe it should be him.......That is definitely what is known as, 'sitting on the fence'
The most marketable by far is Leona, as long as she is given some original material, followed by Ben. There is clearly a gap in the market for a Ben type rocker, the same has to apply to him though, he needs his own or original material. Ray on the other hand can put the swing spin on anything at all and still sell records so perhaps he is the one that least needs a catologue of original material.