Gary Barlow tells new look Craig Colton he gave 'the number one performance' on the opening night of X Factor 2011 live shows

By J J Anisiobi


Gary Barlow's fourth act of the night, Craig Colton, stole the show in an emotional performance of Jar Of Hearts by Christina Perri, a song that he picked himself.

Craig, who has been eating vegetables in a bid to get healthier, looked more like a pop-star than ever as he took to the stage in an all black outfit.

Gary had even taken his personal nutritionist to the X Factor house to help him out with his diet.

Slim look: Craig Colton gave Gary Barlow the number one performance of the night

Before performing we saw a clip of the 22-year-old preparing his healthy dinner whilst the other contestants ate burgers.

The dieting clearly paid off as Louis said after his performance: 'I love the fact that you have lost so much weight and you are taking this so serious. This is a real deal and Gary, Gary Barlow, he better be here next Saturday.'

Tulisa added: 'You are an amazing vocalist and I think you need to remember that as well.'

Favourite: The Liverpudlian belted out an emotion filled song on X Factor

His mentor Gary gushed: 'Congratulations on the number one performance of the night for me.'

16-year-old Amelia Lily was the first act on and she opened with Michael Jackson's Billie Jean.

With her hair dyed pink and wearing a red leather jacket with metal studs on and denim shorts, the youngster rocked the song and had Louis Walsh say: 'I love the arrangement, the styling, the choreography, you deserve to be on that stage.

First up: Amelia Lily opened the show with Michael Jackson's Billie Jean

Gary Barlow was less enthusiastic but said: 'It wasn't amazing but it was really good. Congratulations.'

Her mentor, Kelly Rowland, defended putting through such a young act and pointed out the the fact that she, Tulisa and Gary all started very young in the industry.

Next up was Johnny Robinson for The Overs and he sang a vocally shaky version of Cher's number one hit Believe.

Shiny suit: Gary did not like Johnny Robinson's outfit and blamed it all on Louis Walsh

Teflon don: Gary Barlow liked neither the song nor the outfit by Johnny

Wearing a silver rain jacket and matching sunglasses the nervous Johnny danced around stage in an elaborate performance which hardly impressed the judges.

As the crowd chanted his name, Tulisa admitted that he was her guilty pleasure.

Gary was more cutting and said: 'Along comes Louis Walsh, he has absolutely turned you into a circus act. What are you wearing? You like you're going to go into a oven.'

Gary continued: 'I know Johnny can sing and I found that too cheap.'

The best ever: Rhythmix received good feedback from judge Gary after singing Super Bass by Nicki Minaj
45-year-old Johnny snapped back: 'Well it costs a lot to look this cheap Gary.'

Recently formed girl group Rhythmix brought a US flavour to the show as they rapped and sang their way through Nicki Minaj's Super Bass.

Tulisa gave the girls a standing ovation and Louis Walsh praised them and said: 'It was like you were meant to be together.'

Mr lover lover: Frankie performed A Team by Ed Sheeran and proved he can actually sing

Kelly said: 'I think that you guys did a good job... [but] when it came to harmonies it's got to get tighter.'

Gary was extremely impressed and said: 'Its week one, you are already the best girl group that's ever been on the X Factor.'

Gary then warned the audience to lock up their daughters as Frankie Cocozza took to the stage singing his favourite British song this year.

Star quality: Sophie Habibis gave an assured performance and was praised for her transformation

Frankie sang Ed Sheeran's hit A Team in a stripped back set.

Wearing purple leather skinny jeans, he had the whole audience waving their hands from side to side as one girl shouted out 'why are you so fit?'

Louis called him a natural performer and Tulisa agreed saying that it was the perfect song choice.

Gary conceded that he was worried about Frankie's voice before but now he realises he had nothing to fear.

The wow factor: Sophie impressed with her version of Teenage Dream by Katy Perry

The second of The Girls to sing was Sophie Habibis.

The former bar-maid sang a piano-led Teenage Dream by Katy Perry.

Gary was positive about the performance and admitted that she sang really well but he couldn't remember her first audition.

Surprise! Louis Walsh could not believe Sophie's great performance

Disappointing: Jonjo Kerr was told that he may be going home tomorrow by Gary Barlow

Tulisa told Sophie that her make over was the biggest on the show and she really captured the panel and the audience.

Next up Jonjo Kerr sang 1964 hit You Really Got Me by The Kinks.

The army man failed to make an impression and Gary suggested that Jonjo would be going home and said: 'I think tonight you have made Louis' decision easy.'

Razzle dazzle: Jonjo failed to impress the judges with his lack of energy

Pretty in pink: 2 Shoes began their performance in a car surrounded by topless dancers

Reem: Gary said the girls sounded like a karaoke night in Romford, Essex

Kelly said she was very disappointed because she expected more energy from him and Tulisa claimed she didn't like the song choice.

Essex duo Two Shoes performed Girls Aloud hit Something Kinda Oooh from inside a pink Peugeot and a stage full of topless male dancers.

Louis said: 'It was fun, it was cute, it was kitsch.'

It's raining men: 2 Shoes end on a high, surrounded by topless male dancers

Mixed reviews: James Michael had the judges split over his performance of Ticket To Ride by The Beatles

Gary said: 'I wanna be nice but girls karaoke night in Romford. Tulisa I don't get this relationship, you with these girls.'

To which Kelly asked: 'What the heck is Romford?'

James Michael was up next for The Boys and he sang Ticket To Ride by The Beatles to which Louis described as a boring busker in Covent Garden.

Tulisa disagreed and said that his performance was a pleasant shock, however, Kelly said that she didn't think it was the best song choice for him.

Queen B: Misha B sang and rapped Rolling In The Deep by Adele

Misha B wore a Lady Gaga styled newspaper dress to sing Adele's hit Rolling In The Deep and added her own rap to the number one single.

Tulisa said she was the person who stands out the most and Gary called her 'incredible.'

Nu Vibe performed Chris Brown's Beautiful People which Louis loved and said worked really well.

Liverpudlian hairdresser Marcus Collins sang current number one Moves Like Jagger by Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera and Tulisa told him that he nailed it.

The next generation: Nu Vibe struggled in parts of Chris Brown's Beautiful People

Ladies man: Marcus Collins gave a confident performance and seems likely to go return next week

Back with a vengeance: Sami Brookes was brought back after Goldie quit the show and the Welsh singer didn't disappoint

Sami Brookes, who initially was not selected by Louis, performed Yomanda classic You're Free and Tulisa called her 'the voice of the competition.'

Gary said: 'If you are not here next week I am leaving the competition.'

Next, Tulisa's super-group, The Risk, performed Plan B's She Said to which Louis declared: 'I love this band! We've had JLS, we've had One Direction, now we have The Risk.'

Gary said: 'Now this is a band right here. Tulisa, credit where credits due this is proper mentoring here.'

Worth the chance: The Risk performed well despite being a newly formed group

Controversial singer Kitty Brucknell chose to sing Queen hit Who Wants To Live Forever and was wearing a silver leotard with a short train.

The 26-year-old was raised into the air by a platform and Gary joked that the performance didn't have enough drama.

The judges warned her that her personality and antics will be a talking point for people and Gary said: 'I hope you're ready for this ride, i think it's gonna be tough for you.'

Tulisa said: 'That performance for whatever reason was absolutely captivating.'

Eccentric: Kitty Brucknell sang Queen's Who Want To Live Forever

Closing the show was 16-year-old Janet Devlin singing Fix You by Coldplay.

The flaming haired teenager, dressed in a white sequined outfit with lace gloves, received a standing ovation from the audience.

Tulisa described her as 'mesmerising' and said she left her 'speechless' while Gary called her 'a total one off' and a 'unique' performer.

There will be no public vote this week and contestants will find out which four of them will be going home on Sunday's show.

Flaming brilliant: Janet ended the show on a high

Janet Devlin was called 'mesmerising' by Tulisa after she sang Coldplay's Fix You

Battle zone: Gary and Kelly rarely shared the same opinion during the show


source:dailymail