The eliminated x factor boy-band Union J insist they are glad they didn't win the ITV singing show, pointing to examples of rejected artists who have gone onto have chart topping hits. The band left the show in Saturday's semi-final, though Jaymi Hensley told The Sun, "Nine times out of 10 it is actually better not to win. It is exciting times for Union J. We get the option to really work on our artistry."

One Direction failed to win the competition, though have since risen to become the biggest boy-band on the planet and Jaymi added, "We get the time but not the pressure of being the winners to really sit down and work out what style of music we want to do and make us a brand. We have got a lot of positives out of this and they outweigh the negatives." While the likes of Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke have tasted success upon winning the show, others including Steve Brookstein, Shayne Ward, Matt Cardle and Leon Jackson were all dropped from their labels. It is likely that other eliminated acts from this year's show - including Ella Henderson - may also emulate the success of the eventual winner, especially if it's Christopher Maloney. The Liverpudlian is already mentally spending his prize money, revealing, "The first thing I'll do if I win is buy my nan a new kitchen as hers is falling to bits - it's about 50 years old."

Maloney might be waiting for a long time to buy his beloved gran a new kitchen, given that the bookmakers have him as the 4/1 outsider to win on Saturday. Jahmene Douglas and James Arthur are neck-and-neck in the betting.