Soropa Blog

X Factor judge Cheryl Cole has named Olly Murs as the contestant she is most concerned about.

The Girls Aloud star claimed that Simon Cowell’s hopeful has not yet shown his full potential, but could still do well in the competition because of his strong fanbase.

She told the Kiss 100 Breakfast Show: “I’m worried about Olly. Olly is kind of not happening at the moment, but one to watch out for. He’s a dark horse and all the girls love him.”

The singer also insisted that she remains confident over the chances of her own contestants Lloyd Daniels, Joe McElderry and Rikki Loney.

Cole commented: “This year is all about the boys.”

The 26-year-old will perform her debut solo single ‘Fight For This Love’ on The X Factor this weekend.

Cheryl Cole has reportedly banned her friends and family from the X Factor audience when she performs live this Sunday.

The judge is due to sing her solo single ‘Fight For This Love’ on the ITV1 show.

Cole, 26, told GMTV that her Girls Aloud bandmates, who performed their single ‘The Promise’ on the talent show last year, wanted to attend.

However, she explained: “The girls are itching to come down to support me when I perform but I kind of don’t want them to - because it is more scary.

“If my family are sat in the crowd… it depends which members of my family are in the crowd - some of them make me feel like ‘Yeah I’m ready’, and some make me feel ‘Oh God no - Dad’s in the crowd’. So no, no family or friends.”

Cole earlier dismissed claims that she intended to mime her performance, explaining that she will pre-record the song with a live vocal earlier in the day.

Whitney Houston is also confirmed to sing on Sunday’s show, which is broadcast on ITV1 from 7.45pm.