[Spike]

Leon Jackson has claimed that the X Factor judges are better off without Sharon Osbourne.

The 19-year-old Scot, who won last year's series, revealed that the atmosphere on the panel has improved since Osbourne quit the show and was replaced by Cheryl Cole.

Jackson insisted that reports of a feud between Cheryl and Dannii Minogue are completely untrue, despite their history of exchanging insults in the press.

He told The Mirror: "I was invited to the London auditions and couldn't believe the whole change in atmosphere compared to how it was when I was on the show.

"This time Dannii is really getting on with Cheryl. Everyone is the best of friends. Dannii is making sure Cheryl is OK and showing her the ropes. There hasn't been any arguing."

Osbourne was accused of bullying Dannii on the 2007 series following a series of heated rows between the pair.

An insider added: "Last year Sharon and Dannii just didn't get on at all, but now that Sharon has gone, everything has calmed down."

DS
Simon must have realised Leon is no good so instead of releasing a few songs he has got him making a few headlines to promote the new series.

[FizzleDizzle11]

Sharon or no Sharon , its still poison in the veins of the music business , and those appreciate what real performing groups do to try and make a living.

[Legend]

That says a lot, the first thing we hear of Leon in months is a bitchy newspaper article. What a winnner!

I hope he's not planning a Leona type comeback, because he'd fail miserabley.

[Tom]

I bet the atmosphere has changed but he really shouldn't be saying that. Sharon was one of the judges that helped him push on and gave him confidence and constructive criticism. Simon & Louis just slated him.

He'll be a guest on the first live show, and his first single will do well off the back of the show but he'll probably just do a Gareth Gates, ie a few hits then some mega flops then on to the reality TV scrapheap.

[Arneldo]

Leon was invited to attend the auditions to talk to this years auditionees, he has not completely forget where it all began for him. Leon has been off recording his new album and working with Calvin Harris, Michael Buble and has been in talks with Celine Dion.

Give the guy a chance! This time last year we hadn't heard from Leona, and at least Leon cares for his fans and takes time out to give them attention.

[Tom]

Originally posted by Arneldo
Leon was invited to attend the auditions to talk to this years auditionees, he has not completely forget where it all began for him. Leon has been off recording his new album and working with Calvin Harris, Michael Buble and has been in talks with Celine Dion.

Give the guy a chance! This time last year we hadn't heard from Leona, and at least Leon cares for his fans and takes time out to give them attention.

I would give him a chance, but he doesn't have much talent to begin with compared to some of the acts last year. I despised Rhydian last year but he should have won it- clearly very talented and would have had a very good career if he had won. Also I don't think it was very good that Leon had no prior training before entering X Factor- what sort of message is that sending out to future hopefuls? His voice is very dull IMO and he lacks stage presence. It doesn't matter who he's signed up with or worked with. I'm not particularly a fan of Leona but theres no denying her talent which is a firm basis to build on. With an average talent there in the first place you're not going to get very far and stand out. You can't polish a turd as the saying goes.

[Arneldo]

Originally posted by Tom

I would give him a chance, but he doesn't have much talent to begin with compared to some of the acts last year. I despised Rhydian last year but he should have won it- clearly very talented and would have had a very good career if he had won. Also I don't think it was very good that Leon had no prior training before entering X Factor- what sort of message is that sending out to future hopefuls? His voice is very dull IMO and he lacks stage presence. It doesn't matter who he's signed up with or worked with. I'm not particularly a fan of Leona but there's no denying her talent which is a firm basis to build on. With an average talent there in the first place you're not going to get very far and stand out. You can't polish a turd as the saying goes.

I think that the fact that he didnt have any formal training is why he deserved to win over Rhydian. Rhydian had been in training for years, and was going to be successful anyway - but he would have been very predictable. Leon did win, and now has the chance to learn, grow and work with some extremely talented people. Weather his is successful or not he will get will get a lot of it. The message it send out to future hopefuls? Well, its that if you think you can do it, go for it. Leon did, and he won it.

Weather you think he can sing, has a dull voice - whatever, that your opinion. I personally love his voice and I just hope Simon can make something of Leon.

[KKBL]

Originally posted by Arneldo
This time last year we hadn't heard from Leona, and at least Leon cares for his fans and takes time out to give them attention.

this time last year we hadnt heard from Leona because she was in LA doing her album.unlike Leon she was working realy hard recording and writting so unfortunetly she didnt have time to slag people of in the papers.Leona does care for her fans and does give them attention thats why she post blogs & videos her website all the time and holds meet & great sestion with her fans in one country at least once a month.but right now Leona is in demand all over the world.she performs at a TV show or a concert nearly every day somewhere in the world so she doesnt have that much time to conect with her fans.

[Tom]

Originally posted by Arneldo

I think that the fact that he didnt have any formal training is why he deserved to win over Rhydian. Rhydian had been in training for years, and was going to be successful anyway - but he would have been very predictable. Leon did win, and now has the chance to learn, grow and work with some extremely talented people. Weather his is successful or not he will get will get a lot of it. The message it send out to future hopefuls? Well, its that if you think you can do it, go for it. Leon did, and he won it.

Weather you think he can sing, has a dull voice - whatever, that your opinion. I personally love his voice and I just hope Simon can make something of Leon.

But why should the prize go to someone who has worked towards that goal all their life over someone who got told they were good on karaoke, entered and controversially won it? If anything its going to make the standard lower because people will stop practicing because people will think "well if he can win it without any training or really wanting it then why can't I?"

[Arneldo]

Originally posted by Tom

But why should the prize go to someone who has worked towards that goal all their life over someone who got told they were good on karaoke, entered and controversially won it? If anything its going to make the standard lower because people will stop practicing because people will think "well if he can win it without any training or really wanting it then why can't I?"

It shouldn't matter if they are trained or not - if they are good, they will get through and if the public think they are good enough - they will win. Leon was not just a karaoke singer, he is a great singer with a big talent. So is Rhydian - but because Rhydian is trained, and because of his stlye of music he will go far with his singing anyway. But Leon, with his singing choice it would be more difficult for him without the help of Simon and his team which is why I am even more glad Leon won over Rhydian.

[Regina]

The X Factor is better off without Sharon like the Music Charts are better off without him. He failed big time.

[Annie]

Leon should have won, he grew with the show which is what it was all about. He tried so much throughout the shows to improve and get more confidence and it worked. I dont like the fact he is slagging off Sharon though as she was always behind him

[Regina]

Lets be honest, who could have seen him going far with Dannii Minogue as his mentor? Her career speaks for itself.

[Arneldo]

Originally posted by Regina
The X Factor is better off without Sharon like the Music Charts are better off without him. He failed big time.

His single went straight to number one, and was one of the biggest selling singles of 2007.

How has he failed?

[Regina]

Originally posted by Arneldo

His single went straight to number one, and was one of the biggest selling singles of 2007.

How has he failed?

That isn't a huge achievement. That practically happens when anyone wins a big talent show involving music. They all go to #1.

Steve Brookstein
Shayne Ward
Leona Lewis

Along with others. Where's he been since? Doing his album? Oh joy. He practically imitated Michael Bublé, he wasn't as good as him and he never will be.