The X Factor Result: 49/1 Melanie bids farewell

Mason was matched at 50.0 in the Elimination market

Mike Norman brings us the latest X Factor result as well as reviewing the weekend's performances...

Gary Barlow is reeling!

The Take That frontman, who publicly announced he was delighted to be mentoring the Over 28s category, has now lost two acts in successive weeks after Melanie Mason was eliminated on Sunday night.

Ironically, Mason's elimination means that Barlow could soon be left in the embarrassing situation of having just a performer that he didn't choose to take through to the live finals - Christopher Maloney - as his only remaining act.

Barlow said that he was gutted at losing someone who he believed was one of the strongest singers in the competion, and it seems that the majority of Betfair layers agreed. Mason was available to back at 50.049/1 in the second elimination market, whlst during the sing-off, rivals District3 were matched at a low of just 1.071/14 to get the boot.

A good looking three-piece boyband who performed really well on Saturday night's second live show, against the oldest contestant in the competion who lacked star quality - 1.071/14 was a lay all day surely! Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

So Barlow now trades at 1.51/2 in the 1st Mentor Eliminated market though I have a sneaky suspicion that his wobbly wildcard (Maloney) will survive a few weeks yet; though I don't hold out much hope for Kye Sones - Sage of the X Factor, what were you thinking?

Sones makes about as much appeal as going for an aeroplane ride with Felix Baumgartner, though at least you'd know that someone is in for a big fall! In X Factor land it's Sones who will be for the big jump soonor rather than later - he is the dullest performer the show has seen since... err... Melanie Mason. And we all know how long she lasted.

So what did Saturday tell us?

Well, it showed that red hot favourite in the Winner market Ella Henderson (1.865/6) is different gravy compared to everyone else, and it showed that Boro' lad James Arthur (11.5n/a) likes a pint (living in the neighbouring town to him, that's understandable).

But the surprises of the night for me were Jahmene Douglas (7.413/2) and Union J (8.88/1).

I'd never been a fan of Douglas until Saturday night, but dressed as a Cornetto seller at some cheap Cinema house he made a huge impression. Singing, Ain't No Flake Mountain High Enough, and performing in the number one slot, he was absolutely faultless.

Shortly after Douglas had dished out his confectionery four sugar-laden boys by the name of Union J took to the stage. I can't remember what they sang - which renders my whole opinions meaningless I know - but they were bloody good.

I'm now reitred from X Factor tipping duties you'll be pleased to learn but if you do want an act certain to finish in the Top 3 then look no further than Louis Walsh's latest poster boys.

EDITOR'S NOTES - Mike now remembers that Uniion J wore thick coats surrounded by frosty trees and vaguely recollects them singing White Christmas.