Britney Spears hits X Factor

By Rav Singh, 01/11/2008

IT'S official-BRITNEY SPEARS will be performing on The X Factor in two weeks' time, I can exclusively reveal.

And who else to tell me but the show boss himself . . . SIMON COWELL.

I joined him on a very, very drunken night at the exclusive Mr Chow restaurant in London after he picked up the Special Recognition gong at the National TV Awards on Wednesday.

As you can see we were both looking our best as I got a taste of being papped-yes that's me swaying in the background- when we ended our celebratory session at 4am.

After what seemed like our 20 millionth drink Simon spilt the beans that Toxic singer Brit will be on The X Factor on November 15.

He told me: "I'm really excited about it, because she's got her act together now and the new record's terrific.

"She's come back from a very dark place and is a great artist."

That's not a bad recommendation to get. As many teary-eyed X Factor contestants will tell you, Simon Cowell isn't a man who's easily impressed.

We've all seen pop princess Britney's meltdown over the past few years, but she's getting back to her best with new single Womanizer.

Simon continued: "I think that what's happened in the last two years has made her more interesting.

"She wants to be the biggest star in the world again-and she's got a shot."

But Britney isn't the only act Simon thinks is going to take the world by storm shortly.

Remember my little mate-and private dance tutor-GEORGE SAMPSON who won Britain's Got Talent earlier this year? Simon revealed: "I think George is going to surprise a lot of people this year.

"He's bringing out a DVD, but then I heard him rap and I decided, why not. I'm actually going to put a single out."

I'm thinking Candy Girl by New Edition-a song released a decade before George was even born!

Back to the X Factor hopefuls and what does Simon make of this year's finalists?

"This is probably one of the best line ups we've ever had. I'm not sure we'll ever find anyone as good as LEONA, but in terms of a bunch of people we have on the show, this year is amazing."

He reckons there are two artists to look out for. "When I look at DIANA VICKERS I think, 'This girl could be special'. She's my favourite as she's a very current artist.

"She's quirky and different and you can recognise her voice instantly. She's got her own sense of style-I think she could be a real star. And she's definitely got the most commercial potential."

But Simon's still backing one of his own acts to give Diana a run for her money.

"I wouldn't rule out EOGHAN at the moment-he could be the little dark horse."

Of course, the real star of The X Factor this year is not one of the acts-but new judge CHERYL COLE. "Everyone loves her-me included. We just click."

He laughed: "I said to her the other day, 'You're like a female me in a lot of ways', which she didn't take too well!".

And despite the rumours this series hasn't been full of back-biting and bitchiness-it's just a good clean competition.

"Everyone just wants to win. Today, I had Louis literally charging into my room looking red-faced because he thought I'd nicked a song from his group JLS. But it's all part of the fun."

Your comments

This article has 27 comments

i love brit she is a brill star and thank god she is gettin her career back on track. though i dont think she was that good on x factor but its because she lacking confidence and doesnt now what the audience is thinking of her but best wishes brit i love you ill support u all the way babe

By helen. Posted December 2 2008 at 2:41 PM.

brittany spears miming on saturday.CLEARLY
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

By ashley case. Posted December 1 2008 at 8:45 AM.

use r the ones tha get her down
leave her alone
so wa if she mimed most stars do
get over it

By Catherine Williams. Posted December 1 2008 at 11:40 AM.

what a crap performance, i was looking forward to it but what was the point?

By kat. Posted November 30 2008 at 7:01 PM.

You have to be joking!
What a pathetic performance on last nights X Factor - she never had the guts to sing live - an insult to all the amateurs. I thought this sort of singing had been outlawed

It shows you can fool the public not just some of the time but all of the time

By bmwlya. Posted November 30 2008 at 11:58 AM.

why dont u keep your nasty comments to yourself!
if you carnt say anything nice then keep it shut.
shes back on her feet and shes doing well, good on ur britney.

By Shme... Posted November 30 2008 at 1:19 AM.

Yes I agree with you!

By liquid cialis. Posted November 29 2008 at 9:13 PM.

Nothing like a good old crap performance on the x-factor to boost that down and out career of yours BRITNEY eh!!!!!!!
Why dont you go back to doing what you do best being a waste of space.

By Sarah. Posted November 28 2008 at 7:25 PM.

That's awesome!!! so are Leona Lewis and Britney spears going to perform tomorrow on x factor?!!! that would be great!!

By Maryori. Posted November 15 2008 at 6:06 AM.

Brintey is a great singer and the finalists will be soooooo happy on getting her comments. And the show will be on fire. why is dani getting so jelous os cherol. Cheral is so preety. sharon come back. sharon, cheral, louie, and simon thats who every1 likes
u go girl
brittney u rule!

By Jasleen Rehal . Posted November 9 2008 at 2:21 PM.

Yeah britneys a great singer if you like croaking frogs which is all she does, Used to be good, not now.

By Amy. Posted November 8 2008 at 9:01 PM.

britney hit me baby anytime please please please

By richard. Posted November 8 2008 at 8:04 PM.

you are the best britney,anyone who hates you is mad,i mean you are soooooooo pretty

By tina. Posted November 8 2008 at 6:43 PM.

Diana, Eoghan and Daniel singing Mariah.
Earplugs anyone?

By JamesK. Posted November 8 2008 at 2:21 AM.

on u go britney music2my ears sexy:))

By daywalker. Posted November 7 2008 at 5:13 PM.

It does not really matter who they bring on ... since they got rid of the little squirrell austin. it going down hill

By stephen prichard jones. Posted November 7 2008 at 4:02 PM.

I think it is excellent for Britney to go on X-Factor although I think she is above it. Britney has had an awful time of it I think we should all support her in what she is doing and back her 100% and watcht he show. No wonder she went a bit nuts being in the public eye from such a young age. We made her that way but we can change and help her now.

Good luck britney.

By sian. Posted November 6 2008 at 10:22 AM.

i think britney is a good singer but at the same time i think that she should have a better life ecause she has had ups and downs in the past but this is her chance to show everyone that she can do better and that she desnt care what people think of her. so i say go out there and shine!
but i think cheryl cole is better!!!!!!
sorry people but it's true!
ha ha ha ha ha!!!

By ayesha. Posted November 4 2008 at 8:10 PM.

Oh dear Emma dancer!
Now I have to ask what does your comment " It's not your English is making you good " mean ???
As for respect it is something I have but you don't, telling someone to shut up...tut tut.
Oh well, you just proved the point, by your inane comment, that Britain is going down the pan because of people's ignorance.
Back to Britney, someone I do have respect for as she has been to hell and back and is definitely on the up now. Good for her!

By JuJu. Posted November 4 2008 at 1:30 AM.

oops, now i'm the dope.
So sorry emma dancer...it was not your comment but was fairyfairs!
SO...my comments are to you fairyfair !

By JuJu. Posted November 4 2008 at 1:32 AM.

well done britney for getting your life back on track. i love your new song because its funky lol. wish you luck and hope you bring out lots more tracks like womanizer

By nathan dickerson. Posted November 3 2008 at 5:31 PM.

i wish brit all the best on x factor and hope see stays stays well

By debbie . Posted November 2 2008 at 11:45 PM.

cant wait 2 c this x factor

By emma dancer. Posted November 2 2008 at 10:13 PM.

Shut up! It's not your English is making you good. It's your attitude...no respect at all.

By Fairyfair. Posted November 2 2008 at 10:05 PM.

YIKES!!!
What the heck is DESERVICE ( deserves it ! )?
No wonder this country is going down the pan when people can't even 'speak' plain English.
Also on that subject ...
1) why do so many people use the word 'of ' instead of 'have'? ie 'could of' instead of the correct term 'could have'.
2) whatever happened to saying correctly 'please may I have' instead of ' can I get ' which just doesn't make sense.
Of course you can, we know you can, BUT you are asking if you may have something , not stating you can!!!

BRITNEY ... I am pleased she has her life back in order and wish her well for the future.

By JuJu. Posted November 2 2008 at 10:07 AM.

60 second number crunch
I have tried to solve the difficult sum for weeks but it seems impossible is this the case or am I just thick and missing something

By maureen forde. Posted November 2 2008 at 9:20 AM.

I think that this is brill for britney she has had ups downs but she is getting there now and I say good on you girl you deservice it I think that you are great go britney .????????????

By cheryl damms. Posted November 2 2008 at 8:15 AM.

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