Kazanne
08-12-2009, 09:16 AM
Danyl Johnson
Monday, December 7 2009, 17:39 GMT
By Alex Fletcher, Reality TV Editor
ITV
He gave us the "best first audition" Simon Cowell has ever seen and he's generated hundreds of tabloid newspaper headlines with his alleged diva behaviour, but Danyl Johnson didn't quite have enough votes to make this year's X Factor final. The drama teacher sang his heart out on Saturday with versions of 'Man In The Mirror' and 'I Have Nothing', but he still ended up bottom of the public vote. We caught up with Johnson earlier today to find out how he is feeling about missing out on the final.
It must be quite painful to come so close to the final, when it is being hyped up so much this year.
"Everyone wants to sing with a celebrity in the final, but do you know what? I haven't actually heard any rumours. I have no idea who is doing the duets and they wouldn't tell me. It is just gutting that I won't be there. But I came fourth out of the top 12 and that's the same position as Diana Vickers came last year - look at her, she's doing really well."
Will it be difficult to watch if the final three really are performing with the likes of Sir Paul McCartney and George Michael?
"Of course, but I think I've got to be there for the final. Do you know what? Even though it will be really hard to watch, it will also be really exciting because that's our friends up on that stage singing for their lives. Everyone is going to pull it out of the bag even more than they have done so far. I will be there supporting Olly Murs."
Do you feel like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders now you are off the show?
"Yeah, of course. I think everyone has been under intense scrutiny. People keep talking about my bad press, but I remember all the good words I got on the show at the beginning and I think it has all balanced itself out. It has left me in a middle place, which is a healthy place to be."
Did you find it difficult knowing that the press and public were analysing all your facial expressions and comments to argue that you were being cocky and arrogant?
"I can never control my facial expressions, they are always a bit weird! I can't control what people say and everyone has their opinions. I just wanted to go on stage and sing. You have to be a bit confident to go up there and do that. If you weren't, you wouldn't do that. The cockiness I don't really understand, but people are allowed to think it. You can't impress everyone. It did make me self-doubt myself for a little while, but I just thought, 'You've got to get out there and sing'."
Louis Walsh accused you of having a "bad vibe" last week. Did any of the judges' criticisms upset you?
"The show is the show and backstage it is all good. All the judges are sticking up for their own acts. Maybe not Louis last week, but he is such a nice guy and I had a really great conversation with him yesterday. He is not a fake person and maybe he thought that for a second, but I have respect for the guy - I respect all the judges. Plus, I think that's why this year's show is so much fun - it has been quite catty."
There have been lots of stories this year about you causing spats in the house. What's the atmosphere been like?
"It's really weird because we are all like brothers and sisters. Considering there were 18 people in the house at the start, there were really no arguments at all. Even the little rumours about John & Edward stealing people's food were not true. Me and Stacey and me and Olly used to think it was hilarious reading all these stories. If it was all true, it would have been the maddest house in the world. Literally when we got home after the show, we would go to bed. People kept saying that we were partying, but we haven't had a day off in two and a half months. We've worked constantly every day and there's only been the odd break to go to the shops and that is it."
Can you set the record straight - are you a diva?
"Do you know what? I really don't know where that came from. The only thing I'm quite weird about is that I'm quite tidy. If a diva is someone who does all the washing and makes Jamie and Olly's bed, then maybe I am. But I don't know what that's all about. None of the contestants have said it and even the cast and crew have given me great feedback. I am always holding doors open for people, I have been brought up really well. I think they are taking it from me being quite serious on stage. They clearly think, 'If he is serious on stage, then he must be serious in life', but that is not true at all."
Who do you think will be crowned the champion next Sunday?
"I want Olly to win, but I think Joe will win. Have you seen what Joe's been doing? People kept saying, 'Musical theatre, musical theatre', but nobody is saying that now. He is amazing. But Olly is just fun. And Stacey is the underdog, I can't rule her out. It's really hard to pick this year. Could you pick who will finish first, second and third?"
The X Factor final airs next Sunday at 7.30pm on ITV1
Monday, December 7 2009, 17:39 GMT
By Alex Fletcher, Reality TV Editor
ITV
He gave us the "best first audition" Simon Cowell has ever seen and he's generated hundreds of tabloid newspaper headlines with his alleged diva behaviour, but Danyl Johnson didn't quite have enough votes to make this year's X Factor final. The drama teacher sang his heart out on Saturday with versions of 'Man In The Mirror' and 'I Have Nothing', but he still ended up bottom of the public vote. We caught up with Johnson earlier today to find out how he is feeling about missing out on the final.
It must be quite painful to come so close to the final, when it is being hyped up so much this year.
"Everyone wants to sing with a celebrity in the final, but do you know what? I haven't actually heard any rumours. I have no idea who is doing the duets and they wouldn't tell me. It is just gutting that I won't be there. But I came fourth out of the top 12 and that's the same position as Diana Vickers came last year - look at her, she's doing really well."
Will it be difficult to watch if the final three really are performing with the likes of Sir Paul McCartney and George Michael?
"Of course, but I think I've got to be there for the final. Do you know what? Even though it will be really hard to watch, it will also be really exciting because that's our friends up on that stage singing for their lives. Everyone is going to pull it out of the bag even more than they have done so far. I will be there supporting Olly Murs."
Do you feel like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders now you are off the show?
"Yeah, of course. I think everyone has been under intense scrutiny. People keep talking about my bad press, but I remember all the good words I got on the show at the beginning and I think it has all balanced itself out. It has left me in a middle place, which is a healthy place to be."
Did you find it difficult knowing that the press and public were analysing all your facial expressions and comments to argue that you were being cocky and arrogant?
"I can never control my facial expressions, they are always a bit weird! I can't control what people say and everyone has their opinions. I just wanted to go on stage and sing. You have to be a bit confident to go up there and do that. If you weren't, you wouldn't do that. The cockiness I don't really understand, but people are allowed to think it. You can't impress everyone. It did make me self-doubt myself for a little while, but I just thought, 'You've got to get out there and sing'."
Louis Walsh accused you of having a "bad vibe" last week. Did any of the judges' criticisms upset you?
"The show is the show and backstage it is all good. All the judges are sticking up for their own acts. Maybe not Louis last week, but he is such a nice guy and I had a really great conversation with him yesterday. He is not a fake person and maybe he thought that for a second, but I have respect for the guy - I respect all the judges. Plus, I think that's why this year's show is so much fun - it has been quite catty."
There have been lots of stories this year about you causing spats in the house. What's the atmosphere been like?
"It's really weird because we are all like brothers and sisters. Considering there were 18 people in the house at the start, there were really no arguments at all. Even the little rumours about John & Edward stealing people's food were not true. Me and Stacey and me and Olly used to think it was hilarious reading all these stories. If it was all true, it would have been the maddest house in the world. Literally when we got home after the show, we would go to bed. People kept saying that we were partying, but we haven't had a day off in two and a half months. We've worked constantly every day and there's only been the odd break to go to the shops and that is it."
Can you set the record straight - are you a diva?
"Do you know what? I really don't know where that came from. The only thing I'm quite weird about is that I'm quite tidy. If a diva is someone who does all the washing and makes Jamie and Olly's bed, then maybe I am. But I don't know what that's all about. None of the contestants have said it and even the cast and crew have given me great feedback. I am always holding doors open for people, I have been brought up really well. I think they are taking it from me being quite serious on stage. They clearly think, 'If he is serious on stage, then he must be serious in life', but that is not true at all."
Who do you think will be crowned the champion next Sunday?
"I want Olly to win, but I think Joe will win. Have you seen what Joe's been doing? People kept saying, 'Musical theatre, musical theatre', but nobody is saying that now. He is amazing. But Olly is just fun. And Stacey is the underdog, I can't rule her out. It's really hard to pick this year. Could you pick who will finish first, second and third?"
The X Factor final airs next Sunday at 7.30pm on ITV1