‘The X Factor’ UK notes: Lucy Spraggan’s ‘Tea and Toast’ video, Luke Friend’s new look

We have a pair of two stories to share today when it comes to “The X Factor” UK, but we are beginning with the story of someone who became one of the show’s most-popular singer / songwriters ever last year before she was eliminated after struggling with an illness: Lucy Spraggan. We know that this is starting to become the cliche thing to say about this show, but she is probably one of those artists who benefited more from not winning. She is getting the opportunity now to release music on her own that is truly her, and can do so without pressure to change anything or create tunes in a vacuum.

This video is for “Tea & Toast,” which was a song that her mentor Tulisa Contostavlos said last year was her favorite moment of the entire season. It’s an emotional story that is all about reflection, and the video does the same sort of thing. It’s a lovely little contrast to some of the happier / funnier songs that Lucy has put out.

On a different note, let’s turn to someone else who is currently in this year’s competition in Luke Friend, who has opted now to create a brand-new look for himself inside of Heat Magazine. For the first time, his hair is slicked back! He’s gone from a guy perceived as this sort of dirty young rocker to a guy that could be mistaken for James Bond. (Take a look at a photo here.)

Luke is without a doubt one of the better singers in the competition, but does he really have a great shot of going extremely deep in the competition? The biggest issue for him is that there are a couple in Rough Copy and Sam Bailey that feel at the moment like locks to make the final two, and just an off week could doom him. After all, he is coming off what is his first-ever appearance in the bottom, though he was saved unanimously while Sam Callahan was sent packing.

Luke also has something else pretty darn significant to celebrate, as he was handed an endorsement on Saturday night by one of the biggest acts in all showbiz in Adele.

Photo: ITV