Would you have predicted this? The great warbler with a bland personality versus the Grannies' favourite from Liverpool.
Over the past few weeks we've said goodbye to wedding band extraordinaire The MacDonald Brothers, my daughter's favourites Eton Road and, this weekend, the vocalist who should really be in a rock band, Ben.
Ray Quinn has been dismissed by the judges as "Panto boy". A touch harsh, but it is clear that he is more of an "all-round entertainer" than just a singer. Leona meanwhile is a singer and not a lot else.
The X Factor, of course, has to finish a week earlier than its Saturday night BBC reality rival to ensure that the winner's Christmas record has time to reach the shops.
So which one of them will be Christmas Number One? Always presuming that the Cowell Marketing Machine is not usurped by those inconsiderate and awkward members of the record buying public who are apt to make strange choices in record shops over the Festive period - Crazy Frog's cover of Wham's Last Christmas for number one this year anybody? (I kid you not, I have a promo copy of it on my desk).
