‘X Factor’ Final Duets Revealed: Rod Stewart, Craig David And Rita Ora To Perform
The lineup for tonight’s X Factor U.K. final has been announced, with Rod Stewart, Craig David and judge Rita Ora each set to perform a final duet with one of the three finalists.
Stewart will take to the X Factor U.K. stage alongside Che Chesterman, mentored by Nick Grimshaw. Craig David will duet with chaotic group Reggie N Bollie, who are mentored by Cheryl Fernandez Versini and Rita Ora will sing with her own artist, Louisa Johnson.
Adele, fresh from the blockbuster success of her new single, “Hello,” had been rumored as an X Factor final duet with Johnson, but the British singer will now showcase her track on the Sunday night results show.
The Daily Mirror revealed the X Factor final duets, although it was not clear which songs the finalists would sing with their legendary duet partner. The official website for The X Factor U.K., though, published a playlist of the other songs that the finalists will use to attempt to secure the public’s votes.
Soul singer Che Chesterman, alongside his celebrity duet partner, will perform Phil Collins’ classic, “In The Air Tonight” and the Mark Ronson feat. Amy Winehouse version of Valerie.
The 17-year-old pop starlet Louisa Johnson, who has impressed the X Factor judges with talent beyond her young age will belt out the defiant Christina Aguilera anthem, “Fighter” and R. Kelly’s classic “I Believe I Can Fly.”
Louisa is the bookies’ favorite to win this year’s X Factor crown and has repeatedly wowed judges with her remarkable vocals and star quality. The same compliments have greeted Che Chesterman, whose soulful style has won him many fans, including judge Nick Grimshaw, who was brought to tears by Che’s live X Factor version of Amy Winehouse ballad, “Love Is A Losing Game.”
Reggie N Bollie, meanwhile, have carved out their own niche as the fun act of this year’s X Factor with their nonsensical, but energetic, takes on floor-fillers and pop classics. They even scored headlines several weeks ago when mentor Cheryl Fernandez Versini joined them on stage to dance along during their live performance.
This year’s series of The X Factor has drawn criticism for its refreshed judging panel, with both Nick Grimshaw and Rita Ora being less popular with viewers than previous judges. The absence of Louis Walsh, who has appeared on the show ever since it began, has been keenly felt by viewers who saw him as a point of familiarity and consistency.
Charismatic competitors such as Sean Miley Moore and the controversial Mason Noise were eliminated early on in the live shows, which has caused this series of The X Factor to struggle for memorable moments.
The X Factor final airs on ITV1 at 8 p.m. tonight and will be followed by the results show on Sunday evening, which will feature musical performances from the likes of last year’s winner, Ben Haenow, and 2006 victor Leona Lewis. The pair will collaborate for a special version of Haenow’s upcoming new single, “Slamming Doors” before the eventual X Factor U.K. winner is announced.
The winning X Factor U.K. act will have their single released nationwide in time for Christmas. With The X Factor and Simon Cowell maintaining a stranglehold over the festive charts, it is a near certainty for the coveted top of the Christmas charts.
[Photo by Fred Duval/Getty Images]
