THE X FACTOR winners song is a Christmas tradition up there with roast turkey, Brussels sprouts and my waistline expanding.
But for this years celebrity series, the shows boss Simon Cowell has scrapped the annual single in favour of a charity record featuring all the acts from the live shows.
And the song they will be releasing is a cover of Snow Patrols Run but X Factor chiefs are not anticipating another Christmas No1. A show insider said: Since streaming influenced the charts its become incredibly difficult for X Factor acts to top the charts on the back of the show, so everyone is being realistic. But the winners song is just being rested, because a group charity track just seemed a better fit this time round.
The charity song makes its return after an eight- year absence.It was a staple from 2008 until 2011, with each cover reaching No1 and raising millions for Help For Heroes and Together For Short Lives. Dream dashed, proceeds from this years X Factor: Celebrity track which is likely to be performed on Saturday nights final will go towards charities Shooting Star and Together For Short Lives.
It means the axed contestants, including Love Island band No Love Lost , newsreader Martin Bashir and Glee star Keviin McHale will get one last chance to sing on stage after having their wildcard dream dashed. Two weeks after coming up with the idea after losing one of his acts, seemingly on a whim, Simon made a U-turn so now only the four remaining acts Megan McKenna, V5, Max and Harvey and Jenny Ryan will compete for the crown. The Love Island quartet Wes Nelson, Zara McDermott, Eyal Booker and Samira Mighty were seen as favourites to get the extra spot.
A source close to the band said: They are disappointed. Simon said there would be a wildcard and they got their hopes up like everyone else. Its poor form to get rid of it when the fans have been expecting it. They feel a touch short-changed. Id have given Brendan Cole and Jeremy Edwards a bye all the way to the final.
Same-sex ice plan
DANCING On Ice beat Strictly Come Dancing to have the first same-sex couple and the skating shows Dan Whiston has promised to pull out all the stops with the routines.
The ITV programmes creative director said: It is mega and really exciting that were doing it. Its progress to do the male-on-male routine. It sets a new challenge but it could open up new pathways.
Dan reckons Diversitys Perri Kelly and entertainer Michael Barrymore could be this years standout skaters when the show starts in January.
He said: Perris amazing. Ive never worked with a contestant who can do backflips. Michael might not be the strongest on his feet on the ice but hes so funny and knows how to work a crowd.
Gordon in U-turn
HE has a reputation for being foul-mouthed but chef Gordon Ramsay has done a U-turn, insisting to his kids swearing isnt cool.
The dad of five is so renowned for his potty mouth that he even had a TV show called The F Word. But now the shouty star appears to have softened.
On First Dates Fred Siriex’s podcast, he said: I dont boast about swearing. Even our Queen swears. I dont like swearing outside the kitchen in front of kids. We present a childrens programme and I say, Its not cool to swear.
Earlier this year, Gordon hit out at people offended by his swearing.
He said: I take a lot of flak but Im not worried about that f*****g snowflake generation. The fact that people say, Oh, I cant believe you said that. I say, Yeah, its s**t. Start again.
Maybe he needs to make up his mind…
Cbeebies books in Robbie
AS a father of three, Robbie Williams is probably an old pro at reading bedtime stories to his children.
Now the singer will put his dulcet tones to use for the benefit of the whole nation, as he becomes the latest celebrity to appear on CBeebies Bedtime Stories.
Robbie will be in good company on the popular pre-school slot. Tom Hardy, Orlando Bloom, Isla Fisher, Dolly Parton and Elton John have all offered up their famous voices in the past.
The former Take That star will read Marie Voights musical tale Jazz Dog next Saturday at 6.50pm.
