• X Factor

Harry Styles teases first solo single and sends fans into meltdown

Harry Styles has teased fans with a video clip from his new song. Cue the online frenzy.

Both Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson have already launched individual music careers since leaving One Direction, and now Harry is the latest boyband member to try it flying solo.

The 23-year-old is set to release a new single in just a matter of days and, in the run up to the big reveal, Harry has shared a snippet preview from the upcoming music video.

We’re not sure what it means, but it’s all looking pretty deep. The clip sees the 1D star walking slowly through a dark and smoky room to tinkering piano music, before opening a door and letting in a flood of light. And if Directioners weren’t already sent into a state of cardiac arrest, the preview ends with a close up shot of those dreamy green eyes before revealing the date “April 7”.

The YouTube comment section was a sight to behold as Directioners were sent into utter meltdown:

Of course, this isn’t the only big news for 1D fans this week as it was announced yesterday that Liam Payne is now father to a baby boy.

Cheryl confirmed the news with an Instagram photo of Liam cradling the new arrival, revealing that he was born on March 22.

On Wednesday 22nd March Liam and I became parents to an incredibly beautiful, healthy baby boy, weighing 7lb 9 and looking like a dream. Although he still doesn't have a name he is already stealing hearts. We are all madly in love and overwhelmingly happy with our little arrival. Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers around the world. A day that now has a different meaning to me forever 💙

A post shared by Cheryl (@cherylofficial) on Mar 25, 2017 at 1:25pm PDT

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• X Factor

X Factor’s Matt Terry is out of the race for the Christmas no. 1

It’s looking very unlikely that X Factor‘s Matt Terry will make it to the number 1 spot with his winner’s single after slipping to number 5 this week.

Simon Cowell did everything in his power to create a winning single in time for Christmas this year, including hiring the legendary Ed Sheeran to write the X Factor tune that was revealed during the final live show.

However, Matt Terry’s hopes for a Christmas number 1 appear to be over as he looks set to be the second X Factor champion to miss out on that heavily desired top spot. Last year, Louisa Johnson had what can only be described as a bit of a flop with her winner’s single after she placed at number 9 in time for Christmas.

After falling to number 5 in today’s chart update with “When Christmas Comes Around”, Matt’s chances of success are incredibly slim. Yet, there may still be a chance for the X Factor crew as former contestants Little Mix are currently in third place with their latest hit “Touch”.

The most likely contender is Clean Bandit at present. OfficialCharts.com report that their reigning number 1 single “Rockabye” is currently on course to nab first place. The song, which has been number 1 for an impressive six weeks already, is dominating streaming figures.

Rag ‘n’ Bone Man’s “Human” is less than 4,000 sales behind. “Human” received a surge in popularity after X Factor contestant Emily Middlemas performed her own rendition of the song during the live shows.

Who will come out on top come Friday’s official countdown?

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• X Factor

X Factor’s Honey G says Eminem inspired her new music video

North Weezy rap legend Honey G has revealed details about her upcoming single “The Honey G Show” and apparently Eminem played a major influence in the making of the video.

Christmas will be arriving early on the 23rd December when Honey G finally drops that single we’ve all been waiting for. And the X Factor sensation has taken fans behind the scenes of her new, explosive music video.

Chatting to The Sun in front of the green screen for her new video, Honey revealed: “The track that I am going to be releasing is called ‘The Honey G Show’.

“It’s basically a really really fun track it’s really wicked.

“The writing in it has been amazing. It’s the kind of track that could really catch on.

“I want it to give people Honey G mania.”

The 35-year-old former IT recruitment consultant confessed that she looked to big names such as Eminem when filming the video, saying: “Eminem is one of the influences.”

Honey also paid tribute to the writers of the track before reassuring fans that she is still responsible for the main chorus lyrics. She explained: “With regards to the actual track I did some of the ad libs and I wrote the ‘H to the O’ stuff, obviously I wrote that.

“But the writing for the track has been really clever.”

The controversial rapper continued to talk about her musical idols Missy Elliot and Snoop Dogg, describing herself as a fusion of these two artists that is just waiting to tear up the music scene.

Honey said: “I feel like I’m a combination of all these artists waiting to burst through.

“I hope the music I’m coming into the game with is going to blow up, just like Drake’s music did.

“One of my key goals is to basically go global.”

Despite her many influences, Honey reassured fans that her single will still be a unique work of art.

“The thing is, this track is completely new.

“It’s not really like anything else.”

Oh don’t worry, Honey. We have no doubt about that.

“The Honey G Show” is released on December 23.

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• X Factor

Honey G takes off her trademark sunglasses and it’s too much to handle

X Factor‘s Honey G has revealed what she looks like without her famous shades. Prepare for your minds to be blown.

She’s no longer in the running to win the X Factor after being eliminated from last week’s show, but Honey G is still the only thing that people are talking about.

Has anyone ever wondered what exactly hides behind those mirrored glasses and metallic baseball hat? Well we need no longer imagine, as Honey G actually bared all whilst filming for Alan Carr’s Happy Hour this week. Breaking news, we know.

The chat show host managed to convince Honey to take off her sunglasses and swap them for his own trademark specs.

After hiding behind these garments for months on the X Factor, the studio audience were delighted to see a fresh faced and smiling Honey to appear.

The North Weezy rapper looked like she was having a ball on the show and was pictured laughing along as Alan did his own Honey G impression.

Alan Carr’s brand new series debuts tonight (Friday) and promises to be packed full of laughs, surprises and exclusive performances. Tonight’s guests include Rebel Wilson, Jack Whitehall, Rob Beckett, Bastille and James Arthur.

As for Honey, we can probably expect more television show appearances now that the rapper has exited the ITV singing competition. Last weekend the controversial contestant was voted into the bottom two for the second week running, leading the judges to decide that it was finally time for Honey to go.

Now we are left with just four acts: Matt Terry, Saara Aalto, Emily Middlemas and 5 After Midnight. This weekend they will all be fighting for their place in the X Factor final with an array of Christmas performances. The pressure’s on!

X Factor continues Saturday at 8pm on ITV. 

Alan Carr’s Happy Hour begins tonight (Friday) at 8pm on Channel 4.

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• X Factor

Did X Factor’s Honey G just let slip her act is a fake?

It’s been the question on everyone’s lips since she first walked into that X Factor audition room: Is Honey G actually for real?

As Honey progressed onto the live shows and proceeded to survive in the competition for a whopping eight weeks, viewers at home struggled to know whether she was in on the joke or not. However, during an interview on This Morning on Tuesday, the controversial rapper appeared to let slip that it might all just be an act.

Speaking to Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, Honey G confessed that she had never performed on stage before, despite supposedly rapping for 17 years. The former contestant also admitted that her inner rap artist did not exist until she appeared on the ITV programme.

She said: “Before I entered X Factor I had never done a live rap gig. I feel like a rap artist has been born. I have grown as a rap artist.”

When quizzed further by a confused Phillip, Honey backtracked somewhat.

“I had been rapping, I had been posting my tracks on Soundcloud. I had been recording,” she continued.

Attempting to get the bottom of what she was saying, Phillip asked when exactly Anna Gilford became Honey G, to which she responded: “In the year 2000 I was studying in university and one of mates came up with my name.

“G because it is my surname and Honey is because he said I was sweet like honey.”

The North Weezy rapper insisted that she is genuine and not a joke act, explaining: “I’m not fake, this isn’t an act. I have grown up in the underground scene. I am known to BBC One Extra. My mum is classical pianist.”

She continued: “I might have picked up street lingo being on the underground music scene – it is now part of my personality.”

So, in conclusion, we’re just as confused as before.

Anyway, we won’t have to worry about that for now since Honey G became the next contestant to leave the X Factor on Sunday night. She pulled out all the stops with her contribution to the Mannequin Challenge this week, but the rapper still ended up facing the sing-off against 5 After Midnight.

Three out of the four judges decided Honey’s time was up, with Nicole Scherzinger, Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh all opting to send the act home.

We’re now down to our final four contestants with Matt Terry, Emily Middlemas, Saara Aalto and 5 After Midnight. Next week they will be performing some festive tunes for Christmas Week!

X Factor continues Saturday at 8pm on ITV. 

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• X Factor

Which X Factor judge has “virtually zero contact” with their acts?

X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne “barely sees [the] contestants” that she is supposed to be mentoring on the show.

It may come as no surprise considering Sharon has on numerous occasions forgotten her own acts’ names, but it has now been revealed that the mentor has little to no contact with her contestants.

According to The Daily Star, Mrs O has “virtually zero contact” with Saara Aalto and Honey G despite the show’s claim that it is the judges who are responsible for looking after the singers in their category and in charge of selecting their song choices.

The newspaper reported that neither of the contestants in the Overs category even saw their mentor until Saturday’s rehearsals last week.

A source revealed: “Sharon barely sees her contestants. She has a team to look after them while she flies back to Los Angeles every week.”

Well, at least the singers aren’t completely abandoned then!

This isn’t the first time Sharon has received criticism on the show. The 64-year-old has been already been accused of being drunk live on air. She has forgotten the name of the song Saara was singing, despite it being the most well-known and iconic tune in Titanic, and has also drawn a blank on Saara’s name and nationality in the past.

Yet, she must be doing something right as she is the only judge left with two acts remaining in her category.

Simon Cowell, Nicole Scherzinger and Louis Walsh are now all in the danger zone and if either Matt Terry, Emily Middlemas or 5 After Midnight leave next week, one of the judges will be officially out of the running.

Will Sharon’s good luck continue?

X Factor continues Saturday at 8pm on ITV. 

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• X Factor

X Factor song list confirmed for Movie Week

The full song list for the sixth week of the X Factor live shows has been released, so look away now if you don’t want to see any spoilers!

Last week Samantha Lavery was eliminated from the X Factor competition after being voted into the bottom two alongside Ryan Lawrie. After a last minute change of heart from Sharon Osbourne, proceedings were sent to deadlock and it was Sam who was forced to depart with the fewest number of public votes.

Now there are just six contestants left in the running and this week is movie themed! The song list has officially been confirmed and this Saturday we can expect to hear some classics from the big screen, including tunes from Titanic and James Bond.

So, let’s have a look at the Movie Week line up:

The Boys, with Nicole Scherzinger

• Matt Terry: “Writing’s on the Wall” by Sam Smith from Spectre
• Ryan Lawrie: “Jailhouse Rock” by Elvis Presley from Jailhouse Rock

The Girls, with Simon Cowell

• Emily Middlemas: “It Must Have Been Love” by Rosette from Pretty Woman

The Overs, with Sharon Osbourne

• Honey G: “It’s Like That”/”Getting Jiggy With It” by Jason Nevins/Will Smith from Keith Lemon The Movie/Last Days of Disco
• Saara Aalto: “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion from Titanic

The Groups, with Louise Walsh

• 5 After Midnight: “Try A Little Tenderness” by Otis Redding from The Commitments

X Factor continues Saturday at 8pm on ITV. 

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Oops! X Factor’s Honey G accidentally retweets insults about herself

Controversial X Factor contestant Honey G has committed another social media faux-pas, after accidentally retweeting insults about herself.

The 35-year-old rapper, whose real name is Anna Gilford, has been eagerly retweeting all the positive comments about her performances in the show. However, she has apparently had some difficulty in determining the sincerity of other tweets, accidentally retweeting sarcastic comments about her abilities.

Amongst her (now deleted) retweets include comments such as “you are probably on 2Pac’s level right now. Keep going!” and “You’re deffo on par with the likes of Biggie and Tupac, you’re an absolute lyrical miracle”.

Something tells us the original writers of these tweets did not intend them as compliments.

On top of this, Honey G has comically retweeted direct insults, with another retweet saying “Can’t wait for @The_Honey_G Album, Said nobody ever”.

Perhaps Honey ought to read to the end of sentences before choosing to retweet them to her 40,600 followers (yes, we did a double take at that number too).

This is not the first time Honey has made a social media faux-pas. She angered fans on Remembrance Sunday by posting a promotional tweet during the two-minute silence to honour those who lost their lives in the war.

The X Factor continues Saturday at 8pm on ITV.

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• X Factor

Ed Sheeran has written an original song for the X Factor winner’s single

Ed Sheeran has reportedly written an original song for the X Factor winner’s single this year, which will debut during the X Factor final.

It isn’t a surprise that ITV bosses are pulling out all the stops this year after what can only be described as a bit of a flop in 2015. Last year, Louisa Johnson won the X Factor competition and released a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young”. However, it ended up being the first ever single to not reach the top spot in the charts, peaking at only number 9.

Simon Cowell is obviously keen not to repeat the embarrassment of last year as now he has enlisted the help of superstar/songwriter Ed Sheeran in the hope of securing that Christmas number one.

The 25-year-old acoustic singer has become a global success in recent years releasing massive hits such as “Thinking Out Loud”, “The A Team” and “Don’t”. He has also written songs for some seriously big names in the music industry, including the track “Love Yourself”  by Justin Bieber.

So if anyone can help the X Factor winner get to the top of the charts, it’ll be Ed.

According to The Sun, the singer has written an “acoustic ballad” for Simon and the X Factor team this year. A source told the newspaper: “Everything Ed does turns to gold. To have him write the winner’s song is huge and amazing news for this year’s winner.

“All the remaining contestants have heard the track and it works for the majority. They can’t believe potentially their first ever single will be written by Ed.”

However, before we get too excited, apparently it isn’t set in stone that Ed’s creation will be used. The insider explained how a different track might need to be considered if Honey G or 5 After Midnight were to win: “The only chance his song won’t get used is if 5AM or Honey G pull off a shock win. Then bosses might need to consider another one of their options.”

And considering bookies have slashed odds on Honey G to win the series, that is perhaps a distinct possibility…

X Factor continues Saturday at 8pm on ITV. 

 

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X Factor’s Honey G causes outrage with Remembrance Sunday tweet

X Factor contestant Honey G has angered Twitter users by sending out a tweet during the two minute silence for Remembrance Sunday.

Yep. Honey G’s put her foot in it once again. The controversial rapper created quite some backlash this weekend when she posted a tweet during Remembrance Sunday’s two-minute silence, in which the nation took a moment out of their day to pay their respects to the lives lost at war.

Honey posted the tweet at 11:01am yesterday during the standstill, writing: “Get voting for Honey G to win X Factor.”

Get voting for Honey G to win X Factor

— HONEY G – RAP ARTIST (@The_Honey_G) November 13, 2016

The tweet made no reference to the memorial but instead was in support of herself as she told viewers to get voting.

Naturally the tweet caused upset among fans of the show, who later criticised the contestant for being disrespectful.

@The_Honey_G well done for tweeting at 11:01 today and disrespecting the 2 minutes silence and our brave heroes. Shame on you #XFactor

— Darryl Hall (@dazhall85) November 13, 2016

@The_Honey_G they died for this country show some respect

— Alex (@realspacetroll) November 13, 2016

@The_Honey_G massive disrespect to the silence for fallen war heroes

— Samantha Aylin (@ayles) November 14, 2016

And that’s not the only controversy she has caused this weekend. Honey has also sparked fix claims after essentially revealing the X Factor jukebox is rigged this weekend. The rapper told host Dermot O’Leary that she already has “an amazing track lined up” just seconds after the Movie theme was revealed.

Honestly, Honey. You just keep digging that hole deeper and deeper!

X Factor continues Saturday at 8pm on ITV.

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