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Names of X Factor finalists leaked on the internet

First of all, let me just quickly say that this isn't where the names of the X Factor finalists have been leaked. Sorry. Leaked they have been, though, and the show has apparently been "thrown into turmoil" with show insiders describing the situation as their "worst nightmare" and the contestants forced into hiding, for fear that the location of the X Factor house will be found out.

Shades of Big Brother here as the X Factor refuse to confirm who's actually through, but one thing that seems pretty certain - as if we couldn't have guessed it anyway - is that manufactured girl group Hope are among the 12 finalists. We'll find out for sure on Saturday.

Former teen pop star Billie Piper says kids shouldn't be allowed on X Factor

Billie Piper, who was 15 years old when she released her first single, says  she doesn't think 15 year-olds should be allowed to appear on The X Factor. Well, hi there, Pot, this is Kettle calling....

Actually, Billie doesn't think 16-year-olds should be allowed on the show, either. Or 17-year-olds for that matter. No, she thinks the minimum age should be 18, which is a bit rich, really, coming from her. I mean, if only that kind of rule had been in effect when she was a kid, we might have been spared the horror that was "Because We Want To"!

"As a teenager you’re so full of teenage angst anyway. I don’t think it’s good. I don’t think it’s a great idea. I think it’s slightly greedy," says Billie, adding that the kids should wait until their voices mature. You know, like she did.

The X Factor has saved someone's life. No, really.

You know those little heartwarming/moving stories they always show on the X Factor to encourage us to like the contestants, and perhaps distract us from the fact that it can be really rather boring until it gets to the live shows (and sometimes even after that?). Here's the best one yet...

Would-be contestant, Jacqui Gray, was seen on last week's show, singing 'Something Inside so Strong'. "You have a very odd-sounding voice. Something happens to your throat when you sing," said Simon Cowell. "It's quite raspy. It sounds as if you have someone else in there. It sounded like you were choking on something."

Cowell, seconded by Sharon Osbourne, advised Jacqui to seek medical attention, and it's a good job he did, because she turned out to have potentially fatal bronchiectasis. "They really did save my life," said Jacqui. Simin Cowell, my hero...