[James]

Based on recent history of these reality talent-shows none of the X-Factor people will do all that well.

The ones who get recording contracts will get the usual one album hit of cover versions and then fade away.

We're always hearing how this act will crack America, and that act will be around long-term, but it doesn't happen.

But even Shayne Ward, who was meant to be the most commercially promising recent winner, only sold - I think - 400,000 copies of his album - not that good for someone who was promoted week after week on prime-time TV.

Only Will Young, Lemar and Girls Aloud have stuck around for a bit, and they were from when the concept was still quite new.