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BBC Children in Need has come around again and today (5th September) marks the launch of official fundraising. The charitable campaign, set up to improve the lives of disadvantaged young people, has raised £690 million since and the plans are for this year to be bigger than ever.

JLS Are Involved In Children In Need Despite Their Imminent Split.

Famous faces have added their name to the Children in Need campaign and will appear in adverts to persuade everyone in Britain to organise a fundraising event or donate money. Sir Terry Wogan, boybands JLS and Union J, The One Show presenter Alex Jones, ex-Blue Peter presenter Matt Baker and singer/X Factor judge Gary Barlow have all signed up to be the faces of the massive money raising event.

Continue reading: Children In Need Fundraising Kick-Started By JLS, Union J & Terry Wogan

Union J have been announced as one of the acts appearing at this year’s Alton Towers Live event. The former X Factor contestants will be appearing alongside the likes of Olly Murs, Labrinth Rizzle Kicks, James Arthur, Stooshe, Conor Maynard and Little Mix at the event, which takes place on July 6th, 2013. Union J were eliminated from series nine of X Factor, in the semi-finals, when they were just narrowly beaten in the public vote by Christopher Maloney.

Tickets for Alton Towers Live 2013 go on sale via www.aeglive.co.uk on Friday March 1, 2013 at 9am. They start at £55, which includes not only the concert performances but also entry to the theme park, with its well-known array of rollercoasters and other attractions. Punters will have access to The Smiler, which is scheduled to open in May and is a new world-first for Alton Towers. The Smiler is described by Celebritain.com as “the Alton Towers Resort’s biggest ever ride and will combine plunging drops and extreme turns with twisted psychological effects.”

The line-up for Alton Towers Live reads like a who’s-who of British pop talent, right now and boasts a roster that managed to snare five 2013 Brit Award nominations between them. The one-day event is expected to be hugely popular, with Britain’s best homegrown talent all on the same bill. 

Continue reading: Homegrown Pop Talent: Union J At Alton Towers Live, Alongside Olly Murs And Conor Maynard

Jahmene Douglas - the runner up on this year's X Factor - has signed with Sony Music. The deal follows hot on the heels of Ella Henderson and Union J also putting pen to paper with the major label. Thanking his fans on Twitter, soul singer Jahmene said, "This is all down to all of your support! I'm EXCITED, eek manyblessings xx"

Despite holding the unofficial record of stretching every musical note to within an inch of its life, Jahmene clearly impressed Sony bosses and is likely to release his debut album in 2013. He's already signed on to appear in a TV advert for his former employers Asda, recording a version of Silent Night. Appearing on Lorraine Kelly's ITV show this week, the 24-year-old discussed his plans for the future, saying, "I see it as that growing process that you go through, and just a blessing because I've been through so much." Grimsby girl Ella Henderson announced her Sony deal last week, telling fans, "Thank u for your kind messages! X It's all of you who help to inspire my music!! I cannot wait for 2013," while Union J are presumably still in shock after being snapped up too.

Though history suggests The X Factor eliminees outperform the eventual winners in the charts, this year's victor James Arthur sold almost 500,000 copies of its single 'Impossible' in just one week. He remains on course to become Christmas No.1 

Continue reading: Watch Out James! X Factor's Jahmene Signs With Sony Music

Union J have signed a deal with Sony Music in a bid to become the new One Direction.

Have they got what it takes, though? As is often the case, record deals are offered up to more than just the winners of x factor and Union J didn’t take long between getting kicked out of the show on the semi-final and inking a deal with a major player in the UK music business.

The news of Union J’s deal comes hot on the heels of the news that Ella Henderson, the 16 year-old singer, had also been snapped up by Sony. The Mirror, however, have denounced Union J as “basically a bunch of kids with great hair who are decent at karaoke” and there certainly doesn’t seem to be the same levels of hysteria surrounding Union J as there was when One Direction emerged from the X Factor finals, to launch their own carer. In fact… can you even name a single member of Union J? We’re not sure that we can. Oh, Jaymi Hensley. That’s one. But that doesn’t count; we only know his name because he’s quoted in the Mirror as saying: ”It’s amazing. It’s been a crazy week. Obviously when we came out of the show the dream was to get a record deal and we're going to Sony today to sort out all the contracts and stuff. Before Christmas we will have our deal finalised.”

Continue reading: Are We Reading This Right? Union J Sign A Recording Deal With Sony

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.

Continue reading: Why Are Union J Glad They Didn't Win The X Factor?

With just one week to go, Union J were understandably disappointed at Sunday's results which saw them leave the competition. However, in infinite good humour and good manners, the boys spoke on This Morning, today (3rd Dec. 2012) in support of Jahmene Douglas, James Arthur and Christopher Maloney, the three acts still in the running to win.

Quoted by the Sun, they said: "The judges weren't there to save us and also James and Jahmene are amazing, and obviously Christopher's getting the votes and he's fantastic as well." However they added that they "don't think it would do amazingly well for the show if Chris won... but then again, it is the public vote, so they're keeping him in." The boys managed to criticise Maloney without digging themselves a hole they can't get out of, saying "I don't think Chris would be a bad winner, but this year's been a massive year for talent, incredible, and, not saying he's not credible, but I think there's been a difference this year to other years."

These soft critiques from his colleagues will probably not be something that Christopher Maloney will be focussed on of late, given that as the Metro reports, he's been getting death threats via Twitter. "Death threats yet again! Disgusting! Police informed!" He said. Likewise, James Arthur has also been engaging in some Twitter beef, but this time with Frankie Boyle who has been 'dissing' the show and its contestants. Boyle's tweets included gems such as:

Continue reading: Union J Booted Out Of The X Factor But Still Supporting Pals Still In The Running

James Arthur has said that he will calm down with his partying antics and will not let them get in his way on the way to finding victory at end of the current X Factor series.

Despite seemingly being the frontrunner to take home this years crown, there is stil doubt placed on whether Arthur will prove to be the people's champion if he continues to let his hair down and continue his partying antics. However, after being spotted taking a mystery brunette back to his London home and having been snapped a number of times partying til the wee hours since the show began, James has said that he is completely dedicated to the show and will make sure nothing gets in his way as he strives for victory.

The X Factor contestant told The Mirror recently, "I've been working really hard and doing constant rehearsals and things... it is frustrating if people do think I am constantly out partying but I try not to take any notice of it."

Continue reading: James Arthur Says He Wont Let His Partying Antics Affect His X Factor Chances

James Arthur has reacted to suggestions that he's "cooler" than your average X Factor contestant after being made favourite to win this year's competition.

Speaking at a secret X Factor gig in London last night (November 29, 2012), Arthur said he didn't think he would be "embraced" by the public, but clearly he has as the British public have warmed to him greatly.

He said after teh secret show: "I didn't ever think The X Factor would suit me.I didn't think I'm the type of contestant they would normally attract. I'm just glad that they embraced me." On suggestions of his 'coolness', Arthur continued, "I don't know about this whole cool thing.I'm just really laid back and I don't impose myself on people so, maybe that's why it's working for me." Even though he's the favourite to win the show, Arthur appeared to be getting ahead of himself by teasing what will appear on his first album. "I think you'll hear a mixture of acoustic, rock, hip-hop, R&B, soul, maybe some dubstep."

Continue reading: James Arthur On Being 'Cooler' Than Your Average X-Factor Contestant

Frankie Cocozza set the bar pretty high last year when that paparazzi made him a big favourite in the tabloids. His illicit drug use fuelled that interest but ultimately got him sacked from the show. In a considerably more innocent manner, James Arthur was enjoying his celebrity status having pulled and subsequently papped outside a Mahiki in London, reports the Sun. 

James Arthur is one of only four acts left in the competition, alongside Union J, Jahmene Douglas and Christopher Maloney. James Arthur's beau from last night (Weds 28th Nov) was a brunette with 'orange legs' as the Mirror describes, false lashes, pencilled eyebrows, long black hair and a faux fur jacket. While James Arthur's performances have been hailed as 'one of the most authentic voices' by Unreality TV, it appears his taste in girls is a little less so. 

James bought her a rose and they certainly weren't camera shy as they shared a kiss. 'I didn't commit any crime - I'm young and I'm single and you only live once. I've only been out once or twice since I've been here," he told Heat Magazine. "I had a proper blow-out that night and got pretty drunk and probably went a bit too far. Unfortunately, it might have tarred me with a bit of a womaniser brush."

Continue reading: X-Factor Contenders Start Enjoying Fame

He might still be in the running to be crowned the winner of this year’s x factor, but James Arthur doesn’t seem to be taking it so seriously that he can’t enjoy a night out or even a cheeky cigarette – and on his latest trip out he managed to get himself a smacker on the lips into the bargain.

The Sun caught Arthur, who sang Marvin Gaye’s ‘Let’s Get It On’ during last weekend’s show, kissing a mystery brunette. The 24 year-old was out on the town with pals and was boozing and smoking like his life depended on it. Surely smoking can’t be good for the man given that he’s essentially resting his future (or, y’know, the next few months of it before everyone gets bored of whoever wins) on his voice, but never mind. We’re not singers, so we won’t judge.

Anyway, the most notable aspect of this night out to London nightclub Mahiki was that he kissed a mystery brunette after buying her a bunch of roses from a vendor on the street. Lovely stuff. The mystery woman looked pleased as punch to be hanging out with THE James Arthur (shortly to be known as simply ‘James Arthur’ again). He wasn’t the only X Factor man doing well for himself on the lady front though: Union J’s George Shelley was spotted hanging out with an attractive looking blonde lass. How nice.

The X-Factor is hotting up after Sunday's Quarter final left Chris, Union J, James Arthur and Jahmene Douglas left to battle it following Rylan's exit after singing in the bottom 2. 

Simon Cowell's act, Christopher Maloney has allegedly come under some stick, with people saying he's getting the sympathy vote next to the prodigious talents of his competition, but this is something the show's bosses have moved to nullify. "The backlash is working for Christopher," a source told The Sun."The more people say nasty things about him, the more votes he gets. The feeling now is the less said about him the better." Xtra Factor host Caroline Flack said she thought people were voting for the singer. She said: "I think what's happening is people are feeling sorry for him. And that perhaps might be why people are voting -- but people are voting." However, X-Factor bosses reject that appraisal. 

Elsewhere, Rylan admitted that judge Gary Barlow has no ill-feelings towards him; "Every week Gary gives me a massive cuddle and tells me how well I've done. He does like me," he explained. "Gary has single-handedly kept me in with the whole 'me and Gary' situation. I have so much love and respect for the man and I look forward to working with him. What happens in that studio stays in the studio and he's been amazing. If the opportunity arose for us to do some work together I think we'd both jump at the chance."

The producers of x factor UK have found themselves in hot water once more, by faking a live performance from One Direction. The sixth week of live shows was themed ‘Best of British’ and the boy band were shown performing live on the X Factor stage. However, MTV have reported that the segment was actually filmed around a month ago. Which makes the image of Dermot O’Leary giving a ‘thumbs-up’ to the stage area a little odd, really.

Apparently, in an attempt to fool viewers into thinking that One Direction were live in the studio, the judges even wore the same outfits when the performance was filmed. The performance from Harry Styles & co was billed as “live from London” which… it sort of was… but probably not in the way that the majority of viewers will have expected. Dermot didn’t actually say that the band was live. But he didn’t exactly explain that the segment was pre-recorded, either. Which would have been the honourable thing to do. What he did say was “We have been celebrating the best of British tonight and they don't come any bigger or any more British than our next special guest. They have conquered the world and it all began for them here. We're the proudest parents on the planet as we welcome back with their new single – One Direction.”

The show’s producers weren’t the only ones feeling the heat on the weekend; boy band District 3 found themselves getting the boot yesterday as they were voted out in favour of the show’s other boy band Union J. Both band’s mentor, Louis Walsh, controversially decided not to vote. He really hasn’t got the hang of this ‘voting’ thing any more than the show’s producers have got a handle of the notion of a ‘live performance.’ There’ll be more drama to come before the show’s over.