TV boss Simon Cowell has ordered the singers to “raise your game” and scheduled extra rehearsals to ensure a classic X Factor final. The worried supremo, 51, was disappointed with last week’s semi-final as Matt Cardle, 27, and Mary Byrne, 50, croaked through their songs and Cher Lloyd, 17, struggled to stay in tune.
Following a crisis meeting yesterday, Cowell cancelled time off and ordered all production staff, stylists and singers to take part in full dress rehearsals on Friday AND Saturday to guarantee a great show and bumper ratings.
A show source said: “Simon made it clear everything has to be perfect.
“He wants everything to run like clockwork, especially after the controversy last weekend. We are all in doing a full day and night on Friday now as well as working flat-out all weekend.
“He told the singers and us to raise our game for the final. It will be exhausting but we can pull it off.”
The Mirror can reveal that show bosses plan for one act to leave on Saturday in an eviction at the end of the two-hour programme.
The final four – Matt, Cher, Rebecca Ferguson and One Direction – will sing on Saturday’s show which will also showcase a performance from all this year’s finalists, including oddball Brazilian Wagner.
The show will also feature Robbie Williams singing with One Direction and other duets being lined up include Matt with Rihanna, Rebecca with Christina Aguilera and Cher with either Will.i.am or Avril Lavigne.
For Sunday’s show Robbie will return to perform with the rest of Take That. The source added: “We’ve got lots of big names and big numbers on stage so it is going to be a nightmare to fit everyone in and accommodate all the dressing room space.
“People are really looking forward to Take That coming back on the show, but to be honest they are not so happy about seeing Wagner again.
“He caused a lot of problems, so we just hope he is on his best behaviour this time around and doesn’t clash with Matt or anyone else backstage.”
3ONE Direction mania broke out in Wolverhampton as 4,000 fans turned up to watch them sing. A total of 35 people suffered minor injuries as the boys performed a short set in the town’s Queen Square this week.
Singer Liam Payne, 18, later sent a message to fans saying: “I’m sorry to hear about everyone who was injured.
“I love you loads and hope you are okay.”
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