Little Mix make X Factor history as the first girl group to make the final

By Emily Sheridan


They've made it: Little Mix (L-R) Jade Thirlwall, Jesy Nelson, Leigh-Ann Pinnock and Perrie Edwards are through to the final


Through the previous seven series of The X Factor, girls groups have sunk without a trace.

But its looks like this year's bookies favourites are finally turning things around as becoming the first girl group to reach the finals.

Jade Thirlwall, 18; Jesy Nelson, 20; Leigh-Anne Pinnock, 19, and Perrie Edwards, 18, were ecstatic after becoming the first to find out they were in next weekend's final tonight.


Having surpassed the longest surviving female bands - Hope and Conway Sisters (do you remember them?) by making it past Week 7, the four-piece are so close to realising their dreams.

Although they started the live shows as rank outsiders to win, Little Mix have turned public opinion by churning out a series of memorable performances over the past few weeks.

Coming from a group herself, their mentor Tulisa Contostavlos has always hoped her own experience and Little Mix's urban edge would make them stand out from previous girl bands in the competition.


All together, S-C-R-E-A-M: The girls can't contain their joy as they celebrate making it to the final with their mentor Tulisa Contostavlos

Group hug: Tulisa throws her arms around her 'little muffins' - who are only a few years younger than the singer


While Little Mix are the first girl group in the final, several boy bands have made it to the same stage - but never actually won.

But in all previous seven series of The X Factor, only solo artists have won the competition.

In 2010, One Direction - another band manufactured by the judges - came third.


Unsure: Little Mix made it through to the final, despite receiving a mixed response to their performance on You Keep Me Hangin' On on Saturday night's show

Lead singer? Some of the judges cited Geordie student Perrie, 18, as the group's stand-out vocalist


One of X Factor's biggest success stories so far have been JLS, who were second to winner Alexandra Burke in 2008, and have ended up out-selling her.

Last year, Belle Amie were eliminated in Week 4, while girl groups Kandy Rain and Miss Frank were both voted off in weeks 1 and 3 respectively in the 2009 series.

In Series 5 in 2008, Girl Band and Bad Lashes left the show in Weeks 1 and 2.

We could get used to this: Little Mix - pictured at the London première of Hugo last week - are sure to become regulars on the red carpet


Five-piece Hope - who were mentored by Simon Cowell - in the 2007 series managed to get to Week 7, as did the Conway Sisters in the 2005 series.

In Series 3, there weren't even any girl groups at all, with Voices With Soul only reaching Week 4 in the first series back in 2004.


Remember us? Girl group Hope - mentored by Simon Cowell - managed to get to Week 7 in the 2007 series of the show


Don't forget us, either: The Conway Sisters only made it to Week 7 too in the 2005 series





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Misha B misses out on a place in the X Factor final after being voted off as Tulisa fights back tears of guilt

By Daily Mail Reporter


X Factor charity single shoots straight into number one spot in the charts

Bad rap? Misha B lost out on a place in the X Factor finals despite great performances on yesterday's show


Misha B missed out on a place in the X Factor final tonight after losing the public vote against fellow group member Amelia Lily.

The 19-year-old appeared composed after losing out in the semi-final, despite receiving positive feedback during yesterday's show.

The Mancunian was embraced by Amelia and mentor Kelly Rowland, who couldn't hide her disappointment at losing her contestant.

Tears of guilt? Tulisa wept throughout Misha's final song, perhaps owing to her part in the bullying accusations


As the news was broken by host Dermot O'Leary, Amelia, 17, grabbed Misha and told her: 'I love you, I love you.'

But Misha remained composed throughout and took to the stage to sing Jessie J's Who You Are to see out her final appearance on the show.

She introduced the song with what appeared to be one of her own raps, before launching into an emotional rendition of the track.

All together now: Kelly Rowland appeared overcome with emotion when it was whittled down to her two acts


Perhaps feeling guilty at her part in the Misha bullying scandal, Tulisa was seen weeping as she worked her way through the song.

Asked if she had anything to say, Misha simply said: 'Just wanna say thank you to every at X Factor for making dreams reality, stylists and everyone behind the scenes and Kelly Rowland the best mentor in the world.'

Dermot then introduced her final song, calling her one of the X Factor's most creative contestants ever.

Later, on the Xtra Factor, Kelly enthused about Misha, saying: 'Misha can do whatever she wants to do because that is the kind of artist she is, she’s just so incredibly talented and I’m so proud of her.

'I think that Misha has shown so much of herself on this show and it’s only a matter of time if people haven’t been on her foot-tails already I’m going be there ever step of the ay, I’m her biggest supporter and will always be there for her, and if I can do anything to help her then I will.'

So glad to have a second chance: Amelia Lily can't believe her luck as she makes it through to the X Factor


And she expressed her excitement at still having one contestant in the final with Amelia Lily vying for the title.

She said: 'I’m so excited for Amelia, she’s so incredibly talented. Amelia’s on the right path right now, I think it’s important for her to not be in her head so much and it’s important that she doesn’t think about too many things, because she beats.

When she isn’t thinking she gets the best of herself so we definitely want to work on that.'

As Dermot announced the acts who were staying in the contest, each reacted with just as much emotion as one might expect.

Oh well! Misha B seemed to have almost accepted her fate


Little Mix in particular couldn't believe their luck at staying in.

All four girls screamed, along with their mentor Tulisa, and hugged each other as tears streamed down their faces.

Yesterday, head judge Gary Barlow shocked the audience when he told the young singer she had no chance of being an X Factor champion.

Singing her heart: Dermot O'Leart lauded Misha as one of the show's most talented ever performers


He said: 'Misha I mentioned the positive side of you being here earlier but there is a negative side as well and that’s I’ve sat here and witnessed your journey and it makes me sad.'

As the audience began to boo him he continued: 'You have been wrongfully accused of being someone that you’re not.

'Even if you are lucky enough to get through tomorrow night, I don’t think you can win because of that and that’s a shame.'

'I love you': Amelia Lily let her feelings known to her group mate as she commiserated her


But it seems his prophecy was correct, and Misha lost out in the public vote leaving the three remaining acts - Little Mix (the first ever girl group to reach the final), Marcus Collins and Amelia Lily - to battle it out.

On Saturday's show Misha B kicked off proceedings singing Dancing in the Street by Martha and the Vandellas.

The colourful performance received great feedback from the judges with Louis Walsh saying: 'You're original you're unique. I want you in the final because you deserve to be.'

Little Mix, big moment: Tulisa and the girl group were overcome with emotion when it was announced that they would remain in the contest


Gary Barlow was equally full of praise and said that Misha B was the reason he took the X Factor judging role.

He said: 'Thank you for making this experience a positive one for me.'

For her second song Misha sang F**kin Perfect by Pink and rapped one verse midway through, which led Louis Walsh to tell her: 'You are a major major talent.'

So happy! Little Mix scream as they're announced as finalists on the X Factor


But it seems that, ultimately, Gary Barlow's comments were correct.

Earlier in the series Misha was accused of backstage bullying, which seemed to tarnish her for the remainder of her time on the X Factor.

Tulisa went into depth about the teenager's alleged backstage behaviour after her performance late last month.

Introduction: All four semi-finalists got together to open tonight's show


She said: 'There is no doubt about it, when it comes to talent you are way up there. Most people they come into the competition and they to be built up and progress but you came as a whole package and you are definitely the star of the show.

'But I do have one negative this week. I think you are very competitive and I’ve seen a different side of you backstage and you don’t realise that you do it, but in some ways you being so feisty can come across as quite mean to certain contestants and I’ve been told by a few this week there’s been a few mean comments towards them.

'I’m not putting you down but take that feistiness and energy when you get on the stage and leave them all behind. Put aside the attitude.'

Christmas treat: Justin Bieber flirts with Tulisa after having done the same with Kelly


Louis Walsh added: 'One of my contestants has complained about Misha bullying her backstage.'

This appeared to stay with her throughout the contest and seemed to contribute to her exit.

After the drama of Misha's exit, Amelia was asked how she felt about making it to the final, to which she said: 'I cannot believe it I'm so happy, thankyou so much to everyone who voted.'

Par for the course: Dermot commented that Justin Bieber was renowned for his flirting


Meanwhile, Liverpudlian hairdresser Marcus Collins said: 'I'm gobsmacked, I'm gonna keep working hard I promise.'

So next week the three remaining acts will battle it out for The X Factor title in front of 10,000 people at Wembley Arena, the biggest final the show has ever had.

The show kicked off with all four acts performing the ballad Hold On by Wilson Phillips and two superstar performances were included in the evening's package.

In amazing shape: Kelly Rowland looked fantastic during her performance of two different songs


Justin Bieber sang his Christmas single Under The Mistletoe, which is taken from his Christmas album of the same title.

The 17-year-old did his usual routine of flirting with the female judges, Kelly Rowland and Tulisa.

After Justin performed it was time for Kelly to set the stage alight with an exhilarating performance, although some of the routine appeared to be mimed rather unconvincingly.

Great moves, shame about the singing: The former Destiny's Child singer appeared to lip sync badly throughout her appearance on stage


She kicked off her routine wearing a dress with a train attached and powered through When Love Takes Over produced by David Guetta.

Halfway through her dancers removed part of her dress leaving her in a sparkling top and short shorts revealing her ultra-toned body, at which point she broke into Down For Whatever.

After the performance Dermot handed over to the judging panel for some feedback to which Louis excitedly enthused: 'You put it down girl! You remind me of a young Tina Turner. I'm buying the album tomorrow!'










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'I can't believe he's finally asked me': Stacey Solomon gets engaged to boyfriend Aaron Barnham in New York

By Emily Sheridan


Wedding plans: Stacey Solomon, pictured at a Secrets party in October, is engaged to boyfriend Aaron Barnham


Reality TV star Stacey Solomon is celebrating after getting engaged to her long-term boyfriend Aaron Barnham.

Painter Aaron, 24, popped the question during a city break in New York with the pregnant X Factor star, 22.

The proposal happened during a romantic horse and carriage ride in Central Park this weekend.


Writing on her Twitter afterwards, Stacey gushed: 'I can't believe he's finally asked me...'

The I'm A Celebrity... Get Met Out Of Here! 2010 winner's publicist confirmed to the MailOnline that the couple were engaged.

Their happy news comes just a month after Stacey revealed she was pregnant with her second child - her first with Aaron.

Stacey and Aaron arrived in New York on Thursday for their mini-break and have been checking out the sights, including the Statue Of Liberty and Ground Zero.

Mini-break: Solomon has been sharing details of her romantic break in New York on her Twitter page


The singer, who has been dating Aaron for three years, is four months pregnant with a sibling for her three-year-old son Zac from a previous relationship.

Like her first pregnancy when she was just 19, Stacey admitted her current expectant state was unplanned.

She told The Sun recently: 'We are really excited. And I'm really looking forward to everything, knowing I am sharing it with the person I want to spend the rest of my life with.'

Meanwhile, Stacey is currently hoping to hit the Christmas No.1 with a cover of Driving Home For Christmas, which currently features in the Iceland advertisements.

Proceeds from the single sale is going to Alzheimer's Research UK and to children's hospices charity Together For Short Lives.


A sibling for Zachary: Solomon is already mother to a three-year-old



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See, we are happy! Russell Brand and Katy Perry can't keep their eyes off each other (as they continue to defy divorce rumours)

By Daily Mail Reporter


The look of love: Russell Brand and Katy Perry couldn't keep their eyes off each other as they stepped out on the red-carpet for a charity event at the LACMA in Los Angeles this evening


Earlier this week Russell Brand insisted that he was 'happily married' to his wife Katy Perry after the couple were consistently being plagued with divorce rumours.

And the pair were intent on showing just how in love they really are as they stepped out on the red-carpet this evening.

The 36-year-old comedian and his 27-year-old pop star wife couldn't keep their eyes off each other as they attended the 3rd Annual Change Begins Within Benefit presented by The David Lynch Foundation at the LACMA in Los Angeles.


Gazing at one another, the two appeared smitten.

Cheek-to-cheek, the couple, who have been married for just one year, beamed as they posed happily for pictures.
Katy also took the opportunity to show off her more golden hairdo.

Her pink hair colour appears to have faded and she was flaunting a more brighter blonde shade.

Striking pair: Katy and Russell cuddled up close as they posed for pictures


The Teenage Dream star was glowing as she slipped her stunning curves into cream leather shift dress adorned with gold studs.

She paired the look with some gold stilettos and wore a matching gilded shadow on her lids.

Russell wore his usual attire, showing off his chest with an open-neck white shirt, a pair of black trouser and a vest.


Locking eyes: Russell looked smitten with his wife of one year

Glances: Katy and Russell just couldn't stop staring at each other


He also wore what appeared to be an Indian-style sash around his waist, perhaps a nod to the couple's favourite destination, India, where they got married in October of last year.

The couple have been a constant target of divorce rumours, after speculation that their marriage was struggling, largely because they were spending large amounts of time apart on opposite sides of the Atlantic.

But this week the British comedian denied there was trouble in paradise on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.


Cute: Cheek-to-cheek, the couple looked the epitome of marital bliss

No problems here: The couple's loved-up demeanor was in the face of rumours they were splitting after one year of marriage


Russell appeared on the programme, saying he was 'happily married' and 'until death do we part'.

After Russell gave Ellen a bunch of flowers in recognition of seven years since she met her wife Portia de Rossi, the pair got talking about Russell's own marriage.

Asked whether a break-up was on the cards Russell joked: 'What? She should’ve of told me. Yeah, there are always rumors aren’t there.

Special guests: The pair were special guests of famed director David Lynch, who was hosting the 3rd Annual Change Begins Within Benefit


'In the end you have to just not engage with Internet technology, which is difficult because a lot of the nude women websites I quite enjoy! But they’ve had to go.'

He stressed: 'I’ve treated the whole Internet now like it’s a wicked little liar. I am really happily married.'

Russell appears to take the gossip with a pinch of salt, adding: 'Just keep me informed. Being famous is like a little bit of you is taken away and goes off and lives on it’s own and does what it wants.

Golden girl: Katy took the opportunity to show off her more golden bob


'I wish it would do more interesting things. I’m married to Katy. Perpetually, until death do us part was the pledge.'

Russell continued on the positive theme, even suggesting that babies might soon become a possibility.

'I would like one. I love those little babies in the beginning. Me and Katy are godparents to two twin boys. They’re called Sam and Donovan.


No problems: Earlier this week Russell insisted to Ellen DeGeneres that he was 'happily married' to his wife Katy Perry after the couple were consistently being plagued with divorce rumours

Rubbishing rumours: Katy refuted speculations of a divorce on her Twitter page


'They are just a year old. At first they were boring. They were just essentially little fluid factories. Generating fluids. No regard for what I was wearing.'

'Now, they're interesting. They smile and look at me and wonder. I’m observing them like a scientist, so I can learn from them. Me and Katy are their godparents, which means we're responsible.'

Also this week, the offbeat pair showed their love in a characteristically original way, getting new tattoos in a fun joint inking session during the Los Angeles stop of Katy's tour.

They treated themselves after Katy performed to a sell-out crowd at LA's Staples Center last week.

The pair had a got creative backstage, proudly showing off their body art, inked by legendary tattoo artist 'Bang Bang'.

Whatever it takes? Amidst rumours of a marriage in trouble, Katy Perry and Russell Brand treated themselves to tattoos backstage after the singer's Staples Center concert


Russell got a badge of his favourite football club, West Ham United, while Katy went for a 'smiling peppermint' on her foot (complimenting a previous strawberry tattoo on her other foot).

They noticeably avoided any romantic theme to their choices however, not opting for any Beckham-style referenced to each other in the new additions.

Showing she's a dab hand with the laser pen, Katy proceeded to tattoo the peppermint onto 'Bang Bang', who traveled with Katy for a week and inked the symbol onto around 50 members of her entourage.

Job well done? Russell Brand had the West Ham football team badge inked by legendary tattoo artist 'Bang Bang'


Katy has dismissed the latest speculation of a split from Russell, insisting reports that suggested she has filed for divorce are not true.

Katy and Russell have been hit by speculation their marriage is in trouble ever since they headed down the aisle in India last October.

It was rumoured yesterday that Katy had filed divorce papers in Los Angeles, but The One That Got Away hitmaker took to her Twitter page to deny the story.

Lighthearted theme: Katy went for a 'smiling peppermint' on her right foot, complimenting a previous strawberry tattoo on her other foot


Katy even jokingly compared herself to All My Children character Erica Kane, who has been married and divorced numerous times in the US TV soap.

She wrote: 'First I'm pregnant & then I'm divorced. What am I All My Children?! Erica Kane... pshhh. If I had a dollar for every time.'

Soon after her tweet, Katy headed to the Grammy Nominations concert in Los Angeles without her husband.



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TOWIE takeover! Sam Faiers shows off her cleavage with plunging neckline while Chloe Sims and Maria Fowler hit the town

By Holly Thomas


Red hot: Sam Faiers left little to the imagination with a plunging neckline as she left Innocence nightclub in Newmarket last night


She may be busily working on her own projects having wrapped up season three of TOWIE, but that's not nearly enough to stop Sam Faiers hitting the town on a Saturday night.

The blonde headed out to the Innocence club in Newmarket with Perri Sinclair, taking care to show off her ample assets with a plunging neckline in the process.

The giggly pair weren't the only Essex girls in the party mood however, as Maria Fowler and Chloe Sims also sampled the nightlife- like Sam abandoning their usual London haunts.


Sam donned a shirt red dress so low-cut as to expose her bra- not that the star appeared concerned, grinning as she adjusted her tiny skirt.

New TOWIE arrival Perri was certainly feeling the buzz, carrying a bottle of Grey Goose vodka to keep the pair going as they moved between venues.

Perri was rather more conservatively dressed in wide black trousers and a black top- though she also showcased her curves with a zip on the front.

Girls' night out: Sam was joined by TOWIE newcomer Perri Sinclair- who brought along a bottle of Grey Goose vodka


Before heading out, Sam tweeted her congratulations to ex Mark Wright after he came runner-up on last night's I'm A Celebrity: Get Me out OF Here final.

She wrote: 'Ahhhh well done dougie! Bu well done mark!! U was fantastic! Well done everyone !! They r both winners to go that far x x'

Perhaps celebrating on his behalf, she added an hour later: 'On way to innocence nightclub with @perisinclair listening to the tunes .... Maybe a few drinks 2 night ;-)'

How's my hair? Sam had a rather odd way of adjusting her blonde locks on the trot


Over in Southend on Sea Chloe Sims was also having a whale of a time, looking tispy as she hopped into a cab outside Mayhem nightclub.

Wearing a capacious furry coat she was rather more wrapped up than her co-stars, but still bared her slender legs despite the December chill.

Chloe clearly had a blast, as she tweeted in the early hours: 'I'm rockin on at @talk2010 night club SOUTHEND come partyyyyy'

Losing your balance? Chloe looked more than a little tipsy as she left Mayhem nightclub in Southend on Sea


Maria Fowler chose the Bamboo club in Birmingham for her evening on the tiles- wearing a sparkly black dress for the evening.

Like Sam posted her congratulations to Mark before stepping out, writing 'Mark still a winner in our eyes #TOWIE x'

She might have had a heavier night than she'd planned for, as she added later: 'Me:"i dont think we can do a bottle of champagne + a bottle of vodka".

Nad "u clearly dont no who i am, my dad tought me to clean my plate"'

Showing Birmingham how it's done: Maria Fowler hit the Bamboo nightclub in a sparkly black dress


Things certainly seemed to get a little out of hand, as she added 'Birmingham is Ledge!' around midnight, but then wrote 'Wow we drunk u lot cure my hangover 2mo' in the early hours.

There was no lie-in for Maria however, as she hit the Birmingham Clothes Show Live with castmate James 'Arg' Argent.

She tweeted beforehand: 'Omg have had 3 hours sleep but looking forward to the clothes show today!!! X'

Despite little rest Maria looked fresh as a daisy, posing first in a leopard print dress and then a purple jumpsuit on the red carpet.

Meanwhile, Sam has also taken to her Twitter page to dismiss reports she is leaving The Only Way Is Essex ahead of the next series of the hit ITV2 show.

She tweeted: 'Lots of rumours going around today, to reply to all of your Tweets I can tell you I have no plans to leave TOWIE.'

Sam also revealed she has other big plans for next year, mainly the release of her first memoir.

She added: 'In other exciting news, I am pleased to tell you all my first book is coming out early 2012.'

The book, which has yet to be titled, is set to look at 'Sam's childhood, her rise to fame, her friends and relationships, her style, and what it is like to be part of The Only Way is Essex.'

Quick recovery: Despite only three hours sleep Maria turned up at the Birmingham Clothes Show Live with TOWIE castmate James 'Arg' Argent this morning


Simon & Schuster's Carly Cook said of the memoir: 'Simon & Schuster couldn't be more excited about this book.

'We are all huge fans of the show, and of Sam's, and having already had some great meetings, I know that we are going to have a lot of fun publishing a book perfect for every TOWIE fan.'

However, Sam will not write the book herself, with the assistant editor of Star magazine, for whom Sam writes a column, taking the helm.#


Getting cosy: No doubt Maria was happy to warp up in this cosy playsuit having his the bottle hard last night- evinced by the photo she posted on Twitter (right)



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It's a cover-up! Jennifer Ellison hides her new size 8 figure under baggy clothes are shooting skimpy fitness DVD

By Daily Mail Reporter


Cover-up: A fresh-faced Jennifer Ellison covers up in a checked shirt and tracksuit bottoms as she goes Christmas shopping in Richmond, South West London on Saturday


Just two days earlier, she was wearing nothing but a sports bra and hotpants as she filmed an advertisement for her new fitness DVD.

But as she went Christmas shopping in Richmond, South West London yesterday, it looked like Jennifer Ellison wasn't so confident about showing off her new svelte frame.

While of course the chilly weather would have contributed to her decision to cover up, the baggy clothes disguised her slender figure.


On Thursday, Ellison proudly uploaded a sneak picture of what fans can expect from her forthcoming fitness DVD, which goes on sale on Boxing Day.

Her new slim frame came after she lost five stone and dropped five dress sizes through over-hauling her diet and fitness regime.

As she filmed an advert for her Fat Blaster Workout, the 28-year-old showed off just how much weight she has lost as she uploaded a photo on her Twitter page.

How do I look? Jennifer Ellison shows off her trim figure as she poses in the make-up room in between filming her fitness DVD advert


Alongside the caption: 'Shooting my fitness DVD commercial! Here's a sneaky pic!', the mother-of-one looked super svelte and toned in a sports bra and hotpants.

The latest image shows the Hell's Kitchen winner look even slimmer than her official DVD cover shoot, which she posted online just two weeks ago.

When she uploaded it last month, she revealed she had lost another stone - taking her to a total weightloss of five stone since giving birth to son Bobby in February 2010.


What a change: The former Brookside actress is now a size 8 (left) after losing five stone from her previous size 18 frame (pictured right at boot camp in July 2010)


She enthused: 'Hey guys!! I've lost another stone! Here's a totally untouched pic from my new fitness DVD available to pre-order now.'

The 5ft 7 star admitting ballooning from a size 8 to 18 during her pregnancy and said she struggled to lose the weight afterwards.

She lost some weight last year after enrolling at boot camp in preparation for her nude scenes in the touring production of Calendar Girls.

Reflecting on her weight gain, she said: 'I got huge. I looked like a hippo.

'I had absolutely no idea how I had ballooned during my pregnancy. All I thought about was eating plenty of food to keep my baby healthy.

'I was pregnant at the same time as Coleen Rooney and Denise Van Outen. Denise seemed to snap straight back into her normal clothes and I remember looking at Coleen and thinking I was always much tinier than her and now she was smaller than me.'

Ellison and husband Robbie Tickle welcomed their son Bobby in February 2010 after a gruelling 92-hour labour.

Bobby's arrival came a few months after they wed in Mauritius in October 2009 - 18 months after they started dating.

The new DVD, which is co-presented by celebrity personal trainer Elia Siaperas, sees Ellison go through a five step workout, including Fat Blaster, Tone Blaster, Box Blaster, Power Blaster and Belly Blaster.



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