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| Results Show - Final 3 - X Factor 3 |
| Earlier this evening Ray, Leona and Ben each did all they could to convince the great British public to pick up the phone and propel them into the finals. |
| All three excelled themselves singing numbers that suited them perfectly and second songs which had special personal significance. For Ray and Leona emotions spilled into tears; for his part Ben delivered his most passionate performance to date. |
| They all want it badly, but sadly one of them has to go, but gladly there are still a few minutes left for the viewers to sway a vote that Kate describes as "too close to call". |
| Whilst the votes pour in we pore over the performance recaps... |
01 Ray Quinn Smile  (Nat King Cole ) You'll Never Walk Alone (Carousel Soundtrack ) 02 Leona Lewis I Have Nothing (Whitney Houston ) Over The Rainbow (Judy Garland , Eva Cassidy ) 03 Ben Collett-Mills Everything I Do I Do It For You (Bryan Adams ) Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For (U2 ) |
| Tonight's star act is Gloria Estefan replete with Miami Sound Machine. They've flown over to entertain us with a medley of 3 of their best loved hits, "Anything For You", "Can't Stay Away From You" and "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You", all of which are featured on her new "The Very Best Of Gloria Estefan " album. (Released 20th Nov 2006) |  |
| Before the break Kate has the now customary videolink chat with the contestants who are backstage. |
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Kate Thornton: Guys, how are you feeling? Ben: Ooh... a bit nervous. Leona: Oooh! Kate Thornton: I can imagine! Ray, let's start with you? Tonight's vote is incredibly tight. Too close to call. How on earth are you feeling right now? Ray: I think we are all worried, but you know what? No matter what now, you know, I love these guys so much and you know we've got so close since... what... like since the beginning and we've come on a journey together and you know, I just wish them all the best of luck because this... you know, this means everything to each and everyone of us. Kate Thornton: Okay, thanks Ray. Leona? Leona: (Smiles) Hi. Kate Thornton: An emotional night tonight for you too. Leona: Yeah, definitely. Kate Thornton: What would it mean for you to be back here next Saturday at the final? Louis Walsh: Oh, just everything. I mean, you know, all of us... and I've been dreaming of this since I was a little girl and to be here and to be singing and to have gotten this far is a dream come true, and I just hope so much that I can be in the final but you know best of luck to everyone... Kate Thornton: Thank you. Leona: ...like Ray says. Kate Thornton: Thanks Leona. And the numbers you need to vote for all three semifinalists are on your screen. Now Ben, why should the public back you tonight? Ben: Well, I'm not going to beg them to back me 'cause I just... I'm doing what I love and I loved it tonight and I gave everything I could, so if they want to, then... Kate Thornton: Thank you. Ben: (Nodding) ...then do. Kate Thornton: Okay, well guys, good luck to all three of you. |
| After a quick ad-break the real business of the night begins. Three and a half million votes are already registered as the final voting minute ticks away and the trembling trio take to the stage flanked by their mentors, Simon and Sharon. |
| The lines close, the votes are verified and Kate speaks "The results are in. In no particular order the first act through to next week's final is... (12 second silence) ....Leona!! |
| Leona burst into joyful tears, Simon hugs her and pats her paternally. Ray shouts over Simon's shoulder to Leona, "What did I tell yer!". He gives her a quick hug while Kate beckons him centre stage to join Ben for the calling of the second finalist's name. |  |
 | Ray and Ben share a sporting handshake and the audience chant like crazy whilst Kate continues, "...the second act through to the final is...(another 12 second silence) ...Ray!" |
| Ray pounces on mentor Simon, grabbing him and shouting "Oh my God!" Looking shell-shocked he turns to hug Ben. Emotions are high. Simon and Sharon also hug, then Sharon hugs and kisses Ray, squashing his cheeks with her hands like an auntie greeting her little nephew. |
| Kate says goodbye to Ben "the man who put some real rock n' roll into the competition" and asks how he's feeling. "I've done well, I'm proud of myself" says Ben. Kate tells him he has every reason to be, as there was less than a 3% spread in the votes for all 3 contestants. "It's a celebration" declares Ben, which cues Kate to introduce his X Factor best bits. From Simon's "Yes, yes, yes" at the auditions, through Sharon's bootcamp, and rocking on through to the final three. |  |
| Ben has always retained his rock cred but he's also proved himself as a very versatile performer. Not only has he accompanied himself on piano several times, but also with songs like "Smile" he's shown he can mellow things out without losing his edge. |
| Ben's mum said "If your child fulfils their dream what more can you want for them?", and Ben's dream clearly isn't over yet. He promises Kate he'll not give it up and underlines the promise by rocking out the results show, whch he does in fitting fashion with the U2 song he dedicated to mum. |
| It's a great song sung by a great singer. Although Ben sings those words "I still haven't found what I'm looking for" we have a feeling it may come looking for him pretty soon! |
| Looking ahead to next week's final, it's a head to head between Leona and Ray. (Of course they are both mentored by Simon Cowell, which means Simon has already won the judges' contest! Is there really a judges' contest we wonder?) They couldn't be more different. Leona, the shy but stunning vocalist and Ray the cheeky smiling, all singing, all dancing, all-round entertainer. |  |
| Leona has been leading from the front since the finals began. She's already been heralded as the new 'British' Mariah. It's easy to see why; she has both the glamour and the voice. The only thing she still lacks a bit of is confidence; however without some inner self belief she would never have made it this far. To many however, this little chink in her armour only adds to her appeal as it makes her that bit easier to identify with! |
| Ray is officially the "dark horse" of the contest. Few expected him to make it this far. Simon Cowell even stated that he'd like to see a Leona and Ben final! Earlier tonight, Louis Walsh made clear that he was hoping for the same. However, Ray's recent X Factor showings have been increasingly impressive. He's shown that he's not just about the swing and his star is definitely in its ascendancy. |
| We know that tonight there was less than 3 percent between them both, so next week is set to be a tense and close run affair. One thing we can be certain of is that both Leona and Ray will be pulling out all the stops in their quest for that 2006 X Factor crown, not to mention the £1 million recording contract that goes with it! |
| On tonight's post-results Xtra Factor, Simon Cowell outlined the likely format for next week's final. Leona and Ray will perform 3 songs each: 1 song that neither have performed on the show before, 1 Christmas song, plus Simon's choice of their best performance from the earlier shows. Later, on the results show, they'll each sing the winner's single. Of course, after the result is announced one of them will release it and quite probably top the Christmas charts with it. It's all heady stuff; what dreams are made of. Excited? Not half! |
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