[cub]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

Well, I think the only way for her to regain the popularity she once had in the UK is for her to be humbled in public and brought back down to earth, I think that's why people started to dislike her last year because she was coming across too cocky and too big for her boots, so if you think of it like that it'd be the perfect way for her to become the nations sweetheart once again, especially since Dannii is out of the picture now too.

Hmmm, but I don't think this makes her seem any more likable though. I'd be more inclined to agree with you if she hadn't made the final judging line up. The timing is wrong for it to be set-up, plus all the expense, time and effort.

Why involve the Americans, just to be more popular in the UK?

The UK judges were set. Simon was concentrating on the US. Now he's being distracted by 'Cherylgate'. He wouldn't have orchestrated that.

The thing is this: there has been so many spins and publicity stunts that - it's like 'the boy who cried wolf' - no-one knows what to believe, what's real and what's set up and fake.

I think this is a real situation, but I can understand people thinking it's more smoke and mirrors courtesy of Simon Cowell.