X Factor judges ‘at war’

X Factor judge Gary Barlow has waged war on fellow panellist Kelly Rowland, showing the rivalry on the show is really beginning to heat up.

Speaking to The Daily Star, Barlow said he gets on well with Kelly, or at least he did until this point on the programme.

“When she got given her girls’ category at boot camp, I’ve noticed the texts have stopped,” he said. “It’s all gone into a new gear. It’s war now. But that’s fair enough.”

He admitted to the newspaper that the former Destiny’s Child singer will be his biggest rival, since her category is so strong – the bookies’ favourite, Janet Devlin, is in that group. People looking to place an X Factor bet should bear this in mind.

Barlow isn’t too bothered about Louis Walsh or Tulisa Contostavlos, who are mentoring the overs and the groups in the competition this year, as he feels the winner is bound to come from his category.

“I know the girls are a brilliant category so we’ve got to work on our plan of eliminating someone. But I’m confident we’ve got the winner in this category,” the Take That singer added.

The judge also revealed that he actually went on The X Factor to get his children’s attention, because they’re not “mad about what I do”.

“My kids love it,” he said, adding that they couldn’t believe it when he said what his new job would be.

But Barlow’s definitely been branded the Mr Nasty of the show this year, taking over the title from former judge and X Factor creator Simon Cowell, which might not impress his children quite so much! Those following the X Factor winner odds need to bear this in mind.

It’s certainly earned him the respect of bandmate Robbie Williams though, who joined him for the judges’ houses stage of the competition. Williams said he thought his pal didn’t ever get emotional, which is why he could be objective about the talent.

Jon Jo Kerr describes ‘utter shock’ at progressing in X Factor

X Factor hopeful Jon Jo Kerr said he felt “utter shock” when his name was called out at boot camp.

The Lancashire-born soldier said he knew there were a lot of good singers in the overs category, so he wasn’t sure whether he had scored a place.

He told the Lancashire Evening Post that it was “another surreal moment” when he found out Louis Walsh would be his mentor and that they would be going to Barcelona for the judges’ houses part of the show. Those looking at the X Factor betting will be keeping a close eye on her.

Jon Jo said he luckily didn’t find it too difficult to keep things a secret from his family and friends because he was on leave from the Army, so he managed to keep it “top secret”.

“The house in Barcelona was amazing, but I’m not allowed to talk about what happened so people will have to watch and see,” the father said.

Jon Jo faces some rather eccentric competition in the over-25s’ category, from singers such as Kitty Brucknell and Johnny Robinson. He was also supposed to be up against Goldie Cheung – who shot to fame after wrapping her leg around Gary Barlow’s neck during her first audition – but she dropped out, saying she didn’t want to be apart from her family. Anyone placing an X Factor bet may have been shocked.

Sami Brookes, Joseph Gilligan, Carolynne Poole and Terry Winstanley also made it through to perform in front of Louis – and assistant Sinitta – in Barcelona.

Kitty has been doing everything possible so far to make her mark on the judges – her latest stunt being a £2,000 light-up, custom-made leotard for boot camp – so it’ll be interesting to see how she pulls out all the stops in Spain

Serbia’s Eurovision entry is a family affair

It was certainly a family affair for Serbia ahead of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest as national broadcaster RTS invited three members of the same family to compete for the honour of writing their country’s Eurovision 2011 song.

The result saw Kristina Kovac beat her father Kornelije and sister Aleksandra with her song ‘Caroban’. It will be performed in Dusseldorf by Nina (Danica Radojicic).

Nina’s primary musical influences include Muse and Duffy, which is something of an odd combination. The track ‘Caroban’, meaning Magical, is perfectly captured by the young singer, whose unique voice and charm is perfect for Kristina’s track. Interestingly, Kristina only chose Nina for the song at the last minute when spotting on YouTube that she would be the perfect singer for the composition.

Nina has had eight years solid experience in musical festivals across Serbia. This extends to both the national and local level. She has also participated in festivals in the United Kingdom and Bulgaria so she will not be fazed by the grand Eurovision stage and the Eurovision odds suggest she could do well.

Serbia have only won the competition once since the break-up of the former Yugoslavia. In 2007, Marija Serifovic delivered success with ‘Molitva’, beating Ukraine’s second-placed entry by a massive 33 points. As Yugoslavia, the country also won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1989 – Riva’s ‘Rock Me’ pipping the UK’s ‘Why Do I Always Get It Wrong?’ by seven points in the Swiss city of Lausanne.

Interestingly, Nina was born in 1989, the same year as her country’s first success. Whether this is a portent or not, waits to be seen.

Why Graham Norton is a better Eurovision host than Terry Wogan

Terry Wogan will be forever associated with Eurovision in the UK. He presented the show on the BBC from 1971 to 2008. The show is now presented by Graham Norton, who will take the helm for the third time at Eurovision 2011.

Wogan is considered to be an institution by British Eurovision fans and also by the European broadcasters. On his retirement, he was personally acknowledged by the 2008 hosts and was even asked to present his thoughts on Eurovision to its broadcasters. One key rule change, a jury of ‘experts’ now award half the points from each country, could be considered a response to his contention that the voting system was political.

Wogan’s style could best be described as cynical. He is biting with criticism, often very funny, and occasionally dismissive. I would compare it to watching Eurovision with a quick-witted and slightly inebriated friend. There is no doubt that his engaging manner is the key reason for Eurovision’s long-term success in the UK and many people who bet on Eurovision 2011 will be doing so because of him, albeit indirectly.

Wogan is missed by many, but not by me. He was often sneering and sarcastic, and occasionally insulting. It wasn’t always clear as to whether he enjoyed Eurovision, or if he resented being its face and voice. Although Eurovision can be tragically camp, we don’t need a presenter who considers himself above such trivial pleasures.

Graham Norton’s short tenure at the helm of Eurovision, on the other hand, has been an unmitigated delight. He may not quite have the wit of Wogan but he is still sharp and funny. More importantly, he is enthusiastic and happy to revel in Eurovision’s primary-coloured world. I’m pleased he’ll be there with me in 2011.

Is it worth backing a non-English language song at Eurovision?

One of the major controversies of the Eurovision Song Contest is that participants do not have to sing in their native languages.

However, this has not always been the case.

In the early years of the tournament – from 1956 to 1965 – no rules were given regarding the language a song could be sung in.

This changed in 1966 as organisers reacted to the controversy surrounding Sweden’s 1965 entry ‘Absent Friend’. This was sung by Ingvar Wixell and was an English translation of his song ‘Annorstades Vals’. In 1966, the new rule stated that a country’s song could only be sung in an official language of that country.

Sweden didn’t win in 1965 but they did deliver Eurovision’s most famous song in 1974, in the first year after the restriction was lifted. ABBA stormed to success in Brighton with their hit ‘Waterloo’. This catapulted the Swedish band’s career and helped them to become one of the greatest pop acts of all time. Furthermore, anyone looking at the Eurovision odds should remember that English-language songs are by far the most popular these days.

Many of the winners in the 1970s sang in English, taking advantage of the new rule, but in 1977 it was decided to impose a language restriction once again. Only Germany and Belgium were exempt in this year as they had already chosen their songs.

This restriction remained until 1999, when it was lifted once again. It has been this way ever since. This allowed Belgium to submit not one, but two, songs in fictional languages (in 2003 and 2008) whilst it allowed many smaller nations to gain greater appeal by singing in a language many people understand. Since the restriction was lifted, only one non-Anglophone song has won the Eurovision Song Contest – Serbia’s Molitva in 2007.

English has accounted for 25 Eurovision Song Contest winners whilst 14 winning songs have been sung in French. No other language has had more than three successful tracks associated with it.

Christmas number one odds – runners and riders for the number one single

With Christmas almost upon us, the music world as turned its attention to the issue of who will be Christmas number one. Here is a selection of the likely candidates, complete with their Christmas number one betting odds and a rating of their chances.

Cliff Richard – Christmas number one odds 80/1

Cliff is the master of the Christmas number one, having clocked up more than his fair share over the decades. This time though, he’s the rank outsider and will have to rely on iTunes thrusting one of his old hits to the top of the charts as he doesn’t have a new single out. This seems unlikely.

Chances of Christmas number one glory 1 out of 10

Metallica – Christmas number one odds 50/1

Last year, Rage Against the Machine took the festive charts by storm and ended the dominance of X Factor. Similar campaigns have been set up for Metallica this year but given they can’t even decide on which song to back their chances seem slim.

Chances of Christmas number one glory 3 out of 10

Shane MacGowan and The Priests – Christmas number one odds 25/1

Shane MacGowan never topped the festive charts with Fairy Tale of New York, but he’s having another pop at it this year. This time he’s backed by a group of priests for a version of Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy. However, his previous Christmas hit was popular because it wasn’t like other festive songs so it seems unlikely he will find too many fans this time around.

Chances of Christmas number one glory 5 out of 10

John Cage – Christmas number one odds 9/2

Who’s John Cage? A dead experimental composer. What’s he doing with a shout of being Christmas number one, then? Well, it’s not him personally, but a cover version of one of his tracks, 4′ 33”. The “song” is just over four and a half minutes of silence and has been recorded by a number of stars as a protest against the X Factor. The fact it has charitable links will only boost its chances. However, it may fail for the same reason the next artist could fail…

Chances of Christmas number one glory 8 out of 10

The Trashmen – Christmas number one odds 11/4

For those not in the know, this may be another cases of “who?”. The Trashmen were an American surf band most famous for their hit “Surfin’ Bird” (you’d probably know it if you heard it) and it’s this track that is the focus of this year’s best organised Facebook campaign. However, the worry is that with so many anti-X Factor songs out there, those committed to keeping Simon Cowell’s charge off the top of the chart could be split, meaning none of the contenders get enough sales to beat the song that’s the  favourite in the Christmas number one odds.

Chances of Christmas number one glory 7 out of 10

The X Factor Winner – Christmas number one odds 4/7

Such is the selling power of the X Factor, the first single it spawns is automatically installed as favourite to be Christmas number one before even the winner or single is decided. After Rage Against the Machine’s success last year, it seems too many acts have jumped on the anti-X Factor bandwagon and it seems unlikely one of them will be able to gather enough sales to top the chart.

Chances of Christmas number one glory 9 out of 10

Betsplayer verdict -

Of all the outsiders, the John Cage cover seems to have the edge because of its charity links. However, it’s hard to look past the X Factor this year and it seems unlikely there will be a repeat of last Christmas’s upset.

All odds provided by Paddy Power and correct at time of publication. Click on any of the links above to sign up for the site and claim your Christmas number one free bet!


Take That set to dominate Christmas charts?

Take That are now as short as 2/5 to claim the Christmas number one spot with their forthcoming album Progress.

The group performed together as a five piece for the first time in 15 years on X Factor this weekend and they were so well received bookies have slashed the odds of them dominating the chart over the next month.
Progress came out today and had already secured its position as the most pre-ordered album of the year.

This had led to Ladbrokes making it 2/5 favourite to take the Christmas number one spot, while William Hill rate it as a 4/9 chance.

However, they could face some stiff competition from beyond the grave with Michael Jackson’s new album, Michael, being posthumously released next month. It’s currently a 3/1 shot with William Hill and could be considered the dark horse of the race.

Meanwhile, the Christmas number one single market is currently dominated by the Winner of The X Factor 2010 which is at 4/9, although The Trashmen’s Surfin’ Bird (11/4) is currently being backed by an online campaign similar to the one which saw Rage Against the Machine take top spot in last year’s festive chart.

Dizzee Rascal and Paul Weller head Mercury shortlist

Dizzee Rascal and Paul Weller are amongst the 12 artists who will compete for this year’s Mercury Music Prize.

The prestigious award will be handed out on 7 September and carries a £20,000 prize with it. It is open to all UK or Irish artists who have released an album this year.

Dizzee Rascal is hoping to emulate the success of his debut album ‘Boy In Da Corner’, which won the award in 2003. His latest effort, ‘Tongue N’ Cheek’, is 7.4 on Betfair to win.

Paul Weller was nominated for the award in 1994 with ‘Wild Wood’ and now makes another bid for the prize with ‘Wake Up the Nation’, which is at 8 on Betfair to claim the crown.

The XX and Mumford & Sons are the two favourites for the competition, at 3 and 3.8 on Betfair respectively. The XX have benefited from TV exposure as one of the tracks from their debut album was featured on the BBC’s Election coverage whilst folk-rockers Mumford & Sons have been together for three years and offer ‘Sigh No More’.

Ladbrokes have installed The XX their 5/2 favourites to win the Mercury Music Prize and spokesman Nick Weinberg said: “The XX look like winners in waiting. They seem to tick the right boxes and there’s a growing momentum behind them.”

From the other contenders, Laura Marling (9.4 on Betfair) has been nominated for a second time for her latest opus ‘I Speak Because I Can’ after missing out on the award in 2008 with debut album ‘Alas, I Cannot Swim’.

Foals (10 on Betfair) and Wild Beasts (7.2 on Betfair) are both nominated for their second albums whilst popular artists Biffy Clyro (12 on Betfair) and I Am Kloot (14 on Betfair) are also in the running for ‘Only Revolutions’ and ‘Sky At Night’ respectively.

Corinne Bailey Rae’s poignant effort ‘The Sea’, which deals with the sudden death of her husband two years ago, has also made the shortlist and is at 10.5 on Betfair.

The Villagers’ debut album ‘Becoming A Jackal’ (16 on Betfair) and The Kit Downes Trio’s opus ‘Golden’ (16.5 on Betfair) complete the line-up.

Take That 3/1 to land Christmas number one

Robbie Williams‘ decision to rejoin Take That could be set to land the band £75 million, but punters also look set to cash in with the band likely to dominate a range of music specials betting in the coming months.

William Hill have already made the band 3/1 shots to claim this year’s Christmas number one, while they are evens to top the Christmas album chart.

Whatever happens over the festive period, the bookmaker seems certain that the move will prove to be successful and the band are 1/16 to release a chart topping single between now and Christmas.

Joe Crilly, spokesperson for William Hill, said: “Having Robbie back is surely only good news for the band and their fans and the odds definitely suggest that his return will have a positive impact on record sales.”

So now Robbie Williams is back for good, how does the return of the original Take That line up compare with other great comebacks of the past?

Read on to discover Bets Player’s top five musical comebacks.

5: Queen

It’s hard to believe now, but by 1985 Queen were almost a spent force. A less than popular new direction and a controversial tour of apartheid South Africa had put their career on a downward spiral. Their Live Aid performance, now regarded as one of the greatest gigs ever, changed all that. A boost in record sales and popularity catapulted the band into one of the most successful and creative periods of their long career.

4: Johnny Cash

A collaboration between one of heavy metal’s most respected producers and one of country music’s original bad boys isn’t something that would be dreamt up by a marketing department, but Johnny Cash’s work with Rick Rubin revitalised a career which seemed to be over. Covers of songs like Nine Inch Nails’ Hurt introduced Cash to a new generation and made all those involved even wealthier in the process.

3: Leonard Cohen

Most musical comebacks are usually inspired by one thing – money – and it was no different for Cohen. Having all but retired to become a Buddhist monk, the Canadian was forced to rejoin the world of music after being cheated of out millions. His new albums and world tours may be a pension to him, but to music lovers they are something to treasure.

2: Edwyn Collins

Perhaps most famous for his 1994 hit A Girl Like You, Collins was also part of cult Scottish band Orange Juice who reached number eight in the UK charts with Rip It Up. In 2005 he suffered two brain haemorrhages in quick succession. He survived, but was left with weakness in the right hand side of his body and a speech problem. In 2009 he performed live for the first time since suffering the strokes. According to critics “his baritone proved as powerful as ever”.

1: Elvis Presley

The comeback to end all comebacks. Elvis’s popularity had waned since the early 60s, with bands like the Beatles stealing his crown as the king of rock. A string of poorly received feature films dented his reputation even further and it took a 1968 TV special to secure his place in music history. In front of a live audience, Elvis showed the world exactly what it had been missing.