‘The X Factor’ UK notes: On Jay James’ elimination, Stevi Ritchie, Cheryl, and Tulisa

Let’s start this edition of “The X Factor” notes with something concrete: Reactions to the shock elimination that took place on the show last night, which left Simon Cowell with only three acts as a deadlock vote led to Jay James getting eliminated.

We’re still somewhat surprised by the result. Stevi Ritchie is not the singer that Jay James is, but his sing-off performance, which basically felt like a rally cry, is probably what saved him. He’s a great performer, which signals to us that the best route for his career after the show will probably be in live theater or something else where he charms an audience.

Stevi was of course kind towards Jay in a Twitter post after the end of the results show.

Meanwhile, Jay wrote in a Metro blog that for the sake of the show, it may have been better to keep Stevi around over him:

“The competition is a show as well and Mel was right to save Stevi. I would have done. He’s the entertainment. I’m more about being in the studio, writing music. I’ve been so focussed and taking it so seriously, maybe too seriously, I haven’t been able to properly show my personality.”

Rumor control – The Daily Star is reporting something crazy this week, and that is that Cheryl is going to leave the show next year, and will be replaced by former judge Tulisa … sort of. They act like it’s a fact in their title, and then in the article, they quote Louis Walsh saying it “could” happen. In theory, Pudsey from “Britain’s Got Talent” also “could” be a judge!

It’s possible that Tulisa could be considered, but it is way too early to start talking about this stuff. Cheryl Fernandez-Virsini may not have a contract for next season, but now that she and Simon Cowell seem to be getting along again, we have a hard time thinking that she would not want the gig. After all, this is such a great outlet for her to promote music.

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