Frankie Cocozza - Kicked out for being what they wanted him to be?

What did Gary say about Louis?

“Louis picks bad acts and makes them worse.”

Frankie Cocozza, the 18 year-old X Factor finalist that I have criticised from the moment I saw his first audition has been unceremoniously booted out of the live finals for “breaking the golden rule” and telling production staff that he had done drugs. Really? I don't remember that rule. It must have been introduced in series two.

Anyway let me remind you of first televised audition. These are some Frankie Cocozza quotes,

“I wanna be famous, I wanna be huge. I look forward to all the money, the cars, the showing off but mainly I’m looking forward to all the girls.”

“I see myself as a bit of a liability but I can admit that.”

Louis Walsh asked him why he had entered The X Factor? Frankie replied, “For the girls!” and everyone laughed and they cut to teenage girls in the audience. He then followed the script by showing the names of 7 girls tattooed on his bum. Everyone is having fun and Frankie is on top of the world.

Louis said, “Great rock voice and you’re a cheeky chappy”

Tulisa said, “It’s clear the girls love you and after that audition it’s going to get a whole lot worse.”

Kelly, “I like you. I usually like the bad boys. I like your voice, I like your whole vibe.”

Gary, “I think people are going to love you.”

He then got FOUR yeses and to complete the audition X Factor producers play One Direction’s new single. “You don’t know you’re beautiful.”

Gary eventually became his mentor and inexplicably put him through not only boot camp and judges’ houses but into the live finals despite his lack of vocal ability and his questionable dedication to his craft. “Frankie, you’re my pop star!”

It was obvious to millions at home that he was anything but and even Lord Sugar was on twitter “Frankie on X Factor apparently broke ‘the golden rule’ – he couldn’t sing!”

Now “Frankie CokeUpTheNozza” has been trending on twitter and his mentor Gary Barlow has come out saying, “I’m disappointed in Frankie!”

So that’s it. Frankie is crap and is gone.

An X Factor insider told The Daily Mail,

‘Frankie is the worst role model we have ever had on the show.

‘We couldn’t have someone who thinks they are the next Pete Doherty – and more importantly, acting like it – performing to millions of impressionable children and teenagers. We did what we had to do and told Frankie to go.’

Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. I feel compelled to write about it because it is wrong.

I’ll take it you’ve seen A Few Good Men with Tom Cruise a lawyer defending two marines. They had accidentally killed a fellow marine after given orders to assault him, known as a “code red”. Jack Nicholson played Colonel Nathan Jessep who had ordered the Code Red but denied he had ordered it as he would be held responsible for the death. The film is wicked! If you’ve not seen it you really must.

Now I’m not claiming to be Tom Cruise and this is hardly life or death but Gary Barlow is Colonel Jessep.

What we have here is a mentor that openly encouraged his artist to act like a rebel pop star and now he says he’s disappointed?

On live show two after Frankie’s performance and criticisms from Louis Walsh, Gary said, “Back in the really world that was fantastic mate, well done!”

The following week he said, “Last week I lied for you, I said you were good it was awful.”

Gary is the mentor, the man Frankie trusted. I believe Frankie was told to just be himself and maybe a little be more. What he didn’t have in voice Gary wanted him to make up in rock star bad behaviour.

Look at this intro CLICK HERE for building up as some sort of star. A total set up by the production team. The backstage filming is pre-recorded. It's fake. Frankie is really just standing backstage crapping his pants waiting for his cue to go on stage.

I think it all went wrong when ratings went down, Frankie swore on TV which lead to grave concerns from the clean family firm of Marks and Spencer. You don’t want a kid in adverts who says, ‘Fucking have it!” the weeks leading up to Christmas.

18 year-old Frankie had slept with 69 girls and Gary Barlow introduces him to the families across the UK, “Lock up your daughters, it’s Frankie Cocozza!” it just wasn’t right for ITV or M&S.

On top of that, One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson came under fire for backing tuneless Frankie and asking his fans to vote for him; a week before the clean-cut boy-band were due on the show to promote a new single. Frankie was by now toxic and Louis had to stop tweeting about him.

The last straw was losing The Risk. As I said in a previous blog, that was not part of the plan. The show is in meltdown.

So what about his mentor Gary Barlow? It’s one of two things, either Frankie did as he was told and acted out the life of a rock and roll star or he totally ignored Gary’s orders to behave and concentrate on the competition.

If Frankie ignored Gary what does that say about him as “head judge”? He chooses bad songs, can’t control his act, picks bad acts and lies for them? If Frankie was just following orders then it was a huge error by his mentor that got him kicked out. Gary's judgement has not even been questioned. Look up John Wilding the boy who should be there!

Frankie Cocozza should never have got past the first audition. He should be doing something else with his life but now he has been taken out of a Christmas advert for M&S, hated on twitter and humiliated with the name “Frankie CokeUpYourNozza”

Remember what Frankie said in his FIRST audition.

“I see myself as a bit of a liability but I can admit that.”

I think Frankie was just being Frankie but egged on by the production team to be a rock star. I think it’s a tragic manipulation of a young man by the X Factor which they are responsible for but somehow unlike Colonel Jessep, I don't think Gary Barlow will ever admit that he ordered the Code Red.

Prediction: they are now frantically talking to Johnny Robinson to convince him to take a little drink not to come back and give the opportunity to The Risk. This would be the ultimate kick in the public’s bollocks.

Kelly Rowland takes no Risk and quits?

Last week Cowell was upset with the show. Ratings were down and nothing much was happening. Now as if by magic all has changed.

Manufactured boy-band The Risk who were made up of rejected solo singers and stealing singers from other bands have yet a new line up. They removed Marlon McKenzie from the original line up and now we are told that Ashley Baptiste has quit.

We will never know the truth about why Ashley has quit due to the confidentiality contracts but it seems crazy that a guy in the finals of The X Factor and in the band that is tipped to win has decided it’s not what he wants.

The have taken a 16 year-old from "No Vibe" as Gary Barlow put's it. What is wrong with Marlon McKenzie? The guy looks and sounds good and was in the original line up - I would love to know why he was booted out. Damn those confidentiality contracts!!

My own feeling is that for some reason like Marlon, Ashley wasn’t fitting in and as The Risk are set to be signed to the label want the right line up.

Kelly Rowland has apparently got a sore throat. I suspect that she has quit. I believe last week’s bullying of Misha was the last straw. Tulisa is 23 year-old judge who got on my nerves even before her Misha rant. I can only imagine what Kelly had to put up with.

**EDIT just heard that Alexandra Burke is the guest judge!! I'd be amazed if Kelly comes back now. To have Alexandra step in a sign that this is not scripted. No way would she have been a preferred choice to step in. Kelly has probably got her lawyers getting her out of show as we speak without being sued. It looks like it's going to be a face saving exercise for the show. Very interesting to see if Kelly comeback next week. I doubt it.

Gary Barlow admitted last week that he couldn’t be trusted because he lies about how terrible Frankie Cocozza is and now Louis Walsh has just been busted as a liar after calling Misha a bully in front of 10 million. It turns out Sami Brookes has dismissed his ridiculous claims. He did apologised on The Xtra Factor to 1 million but Walsh should apologise to Misha tonight in front of the 10 million viewers but I bet he won’t.

Like I predicted the tabloids have started putting down the acts that must not make the final:

Johnny is now branded a benefit cheat but he denies this.

Kitty went to a gay club and did some pole dancing (with her clothes on). The Mirror has made it look seedy. The show has a “family friendly image” er….Frankie Cocozza… Family image?

Rhythmix have changed their name. Nobody bothered to Google the name to see if it was already taken by a children’s charity. Doh!

Meanwhile Frankie Cocozza is building his teenage fan base on Twitter talking about his “haters” and that he knows he is the worse singer but will do all he can to improve. How about stay in and practice? Have extra singing lessons? Nope, he goes out on the piss. I have no time for this lad but the press are backing him so he will get signed.

Cowell will be very happy after all this weeks antics. The UK production team have really delivered enough gossip to ensure big viewers for tonight.

Sorry for mistakes. I make them.

X Factor Live Show 3 – Rock Week AKA - Song Week

Simon Cowell apparently was upset that Strictly Come Dancing has beaten X Factor when they’ve gone head to head and has told the judges to raise their game.

Unfortunately, Strictly has beaten them again this week. Heads will roll and I will bet that Tulisa will get fired for not knowing what rock is and Gary will walk. Louis is stuck to his chair so will be back again next year even if the show gets cancelled.

I think it’s a bit late for the judges to be blaming the talent as they are doing their best with what they've got.

The judges have resorted to underhand tactics to get the public interested in the acts but it’s not a case of voting for who you like anymore, it’s about voting for a person who is less annoying than that real pain in the neck who still hasn’t gone yet.

There are two major talking points that you will not read in the tabloids.

It’s rock bottom for Gary Barlow on Rock Week. He admitted that last week he lied by saying Frankie was good when in fact he thought (like most of the viewers) that Frankie was “awful”.

I’ve been saying this from day one. Frankie shouldn’t even be there.

Gary happily ridiculed Nu Vibe with his “No Vibe” jibe and sent them home knowing very well that Frankie was awful. Are we meant to now trust his opinion? Tabloids are highlighting his honesty like it was a good thing. The fact is Gary Barlow is a judge and he lied.

Gary now says that he likes Johnny Robinson but he was terrible too. Is he lying again? You just don’t know with Gary. I think he is but I also know why.

Believe it or not but Johnny has a real chance of winning The X Factor just like Wagner did. The crowd went nuts for Johnny and he gets votes from people who would like to stick one up Cowell.

Cowell would slag Wagner off for weeks so people voted for him to spite Cowell but when he was getting too popular Cowell changed his tune and left it to The Sun to start calling Wagner a pervert and a bully.

This year they have quickly got all four judges saying Johnny is a “guilty pleasure” to stop any anti-X Factor momentum. The joke will become a bit thin in a few weeks and they will finally mug him off but I seriously think he could win if Louis gets him in a dress and a “OccupyXFactor” campaign takes off.

I’ve seen enough of the show and read enough tabloid propaganda to know that The Risk are the ones the production team and the label want to succeed. One Direction were meant to win last year if it wasn’t for that pesky Matt Cardle but they are really aimed at kids just growing out of ZingZillas. The Risk will be direct rivals to The Wanted.

The judges failed to mention that The Risk had tuning problems and poor harmonies or the fact their song wasn’t rock. But still they are better than One Direction and look how well they are doing.

If and it’s a big IF Rhythmix can break the girl curse and last a few more weeks they will have a chance of going a long way. I prefer them to The Risk. They are good but like they too did not singing a rock song. Tulisa really had no idea what Rock Week is? Producers never said "hold on a minute, this isn't rock!" - bullcrap. They knew, but a group MUST win. Screw the rules.

So that brings me to Misha. I know how these people lie I’ve been there. The Sun, Louis and Tulisa have branded her a diva and bully. This was outrageous but not surprising. They can’t bring her down as a singer (compared to the rest), she has no sordid background to dig up so she must be a bully. If Tulisa has such morals why didn't she say something about Derry from The Risk for hitting on a girl while she was out with her man? Bad form fella.

I don’t believe Misha is a bully or a diva and to be honest I don’t care. The whole tabloid media circus is filled with divas, bullies and worse. All I care is if she can sing and so far Misha has been the best of a pretty unimpressive bunch.

Prediction to go: Sami Brookes. Louis’ song choice was a terrible karaoke song, her make-over was poor and she came across arrogant when defending the song choice, oh and begging for votes is tacky. She’s one of the better singers but just not what the X Factor “New Generation” needs anymore.

Tweet of the day : JojeHarvey "They should have called it song week"

My personal blog so errors and spelling probably plentiful. london24 blog tomorrow.

Final 16 - Who goes tonight?

James Michael, Nu Vibe, Jonjo Kerr and the X Factor to go?

Amelia Lily: Daily Mail reported that she is seeing 18 year old Frankie Cocozza. Yep, a newspaper reports that a 18 year is dating a 16 year old. Has this country turned into “ Neighbours”? She’s good but there have been better girls on the show. Can do better but should be safe. Between her and Sophie to go. Too close to call. Funnily enough, if she survives tonight will go a long way.

Johnny Robinson: Terrible. The comedy act of the show but I won’t be voting for this year’s Wagner until he starts dressing as Doris Day. Safe…just.

Rhythmix: The big surprise of the night. Damn, some great vocals and harmonies. I was really impressed by these girls. Not dolly birds like Sugarbabes or Girls Aloud but I really like these and hope they go far. Safe this week.

Frankie Cocozza: In it for the girls. Self confessed slut. Girls names on his arse, family knows Jason Orange so questions over how he got in. No talent, but the tabloids are behind him. Guaranteed a long journey in the show if not a deal. Can’t stand him. Safe but should be gone.

Sophie Habibis : For me, Sophie has the X Factor. She has beautiful eyes, a lovely tone, vibrato and timing. Gary says’s he’ll fall out with Kelly if she goes. Not safe, between her and Amelia to go. I have a bad feeling though.

Jonjo Kerr: Good karaoke at best. Can’t understand how he got in but the judges give me the impression that they may keep him in another week. Not safe but may be a surprise and controversial save by Louis Walsh.

Two Shoes: One girl is pregnant but X Factor is an extremely stressful experience. I wonder if it was wise to allow her to continue. They are from Essex which Tulisa says is popular at the moment. Rumours are that though they are from Essex they are in fact well-spoken public school girls and it’s all an act. I wouldn’t be surprised. Safe but pointless unless they get a ITV2 show which is also pointless. Safe now but Two Shoes to go.

James Michael: The big stitch up! Walked onto X Factor looking the coolest of all the guys. Then after an awful make-over, James looked uncomfortable and nervous singing “Ticket to Ride”. Vocally better than the song suggested. He looked like a busker and from being my favourite for a record deal he is a dead cert to go. Shame.

Misha B: Best performance of the night. The rap is first class and she is captivating in her delivery. I do feel she is a bit shaky on her singing. I’m not convinced she will go all the way for a ITV mainstream audience but safe this week.

Nu Vibe: Five guys that were not that good. It’s One Direction all over again. But these are a series too late so no chance. Two guys showed off their abs at the end of the song and for that reason alone they should be gone. 100% gone this week.

Marcus Collins: Great look made better by a great make over. He was given a great song but needs to hold the mic closer so it picks up the quality of his voice more. Poor choreography let him down. Safe could go far if he stops bouncing around like he needs the toilet.

Sami Brookes: Gary “The only reason you are here is because Goldie Cheung dropped out” Tulisa said, “The voice of the competition”. It was a total joke that Louis hadn’t chosen her in the first place. She can sing but someone slapped her make up on and the press will compare her to Mary Byrne. Her image will ultimately be her downfall not voice. Safe this week.

The Risk: Louis summed it up, “We have JLS, One Direction and now we have The Risk”. The judges love them. They are aimed as SYCO’s competition against The Wanted and vocally they are good enough. Safe this week and probably finalists but Derry having been a mugger may prove costly with mainstream conservative viewers but cool for their market. Nothing like a bad boy to make you seem credible. I think that a deal awaits.

Craig Colton: Really great voice but for me unwatchable. Performance was a little too drama school and overly intense. Looks a bit like a young Ricky Gervais. Easily safe but vocally Shayne Ward and Joe McElderry are arguably as good but with the package. Lose the funny faces and he is a possibly another winner but with just one album. Safe.

Kitty Brucknall: Tabloids have it in for her. They report this week she was a stripper and put her down while building up a guy who was a mugger. At least she was trying to make money legally huh?? Give her a break, she has been gigging for years and has bought into the X Factor nonsense like the rest of them. I worry for her. She seems fragile and I just hope she get’s through this without losing her sanity. Gary said, “ I hope you are ready for this ride, it’s going to be tough for you.” It will be but safe this week.

Janet Devlin: Sweet young girl but I don’t think she is strong a vocalist as the other three in her category. Pitchy and weak vocal on a song she sang in her auditions so it’s not gonna get much better – that was it folks. Image is what she is all about but the judges are going crazy for her. I just don’t think her voice is ready yet. Listen to Paula Cole, Cara Dillion or Kate Rusby to see what I mean. She should go but is 100% safe. One of the “real” winners unless the public get bored of all the ballads.

Excuse errors as I am crap at checking. This is on my blog not london24.com which is Monday. My Twitter is @stevebrookstein

Thanks for reading.

Steve Brookstein’s Grumpy Guide To The X Factor

Blog 1.

I know, I know. I said I wasn't going to do it but here we are again. A brand new X Factor but same ol’ Steve spreading his grumpy doom and gloom over Saturday light entertainment but wait, I have good news. The News Of The World will not be bringing you any SYCOphantic claptrap on Sunday.

Anyway, “Real” Winners JLS, Olly Murs and One Direction are all releasing product. Even the doe-eyed beauty Leona Lewis, who after all these years is unable to stand on her own two feet without the protection of The X Factor, is releasing a single. Alexandra Burke has a lower profile release in October and also we mustn’t forget Matt Cardle who is hoping to break the male winner unlucky streak. You know? Every male winner has been jettisoned from the Death Star.

Regardless of Matt’s fate, it will be a bumper Christmas for Mr and Mrs Cowell. He is still getting married isn’t he?

Last year I got into trouble with the mum of a One Direction member for stating the obvious but I’ve learnt my lessons and I hope that young man is having his. This year I’m going to be smarter. I will be a bit more constructive in my comments and if I feel the urge to be tactless I will vent my frustrations on someone over 40 with a small twitter fan base.

The brand new show is re-branded as “The Next Generation” because above all, it’s still about the judges. There’s a new generation of judges …and Louis Walsh. How does that awful little man keep getting the gig?

The big positive is Gary Barlow replacing Lord Vadar. How can I moan about Gary Barlow? You just can’t. He was the chubby one in Take That who could sing and write songs but lacked sex appeal while the less talented Williams took the girls and the Brits and happily rubbed Gary’s nose in it. So now, Gary is mature, better looking than ever, a bucket load of hits and we love him. He has been an instant hit. A little too much like Cowell but hey it’s Gary!!

Then we have three other judges but to be honest after they let Goldie Cheung through in week one with her erotic granny moves I’m not even going to give them a name check until they buck their ideas up. I know it’s telly but come on! It will only end in tears and anyway, I thought we weren’t going to give these people false hope anymore?

Let’s be clear the opening show had two objectives. Firstly, to introduce Gary Barlow as the new Simon Cowell - the judge you can trust as the voice of reason. You will be led to agree with most things he says while the other three make weird and wonderful comments that are obviously wrong. The second objective was to get the public to accept Cheryl Cole’s replacement and that was achieved by having a tone-deaf young man with anger issues called George abuse her in front of the nation. Terrible television but it got the job done …for now.

As for talent, there was nothing of any note. We have seen two possible finalists a boy who tattoos girls names on his bum which will get the teens going, and then there was a girl who sounds a bit like Katie Waissel but nice and more in tune. Neither will come close unless a relative dies during boot camp. Remember X Factor runner-up R Wayne?

No doubt there will be a couple of outstanding singers and as soon as I see them I will let you know but I think it’s going to be the youngest X Factor ever.

My early prediction: Too many X Factor acts so 2012 will see Matt Cardle, Alexandra Burke and Cher Lloyd go the way of Old Yeller unless they find that killer tune.

Finally, we’ve recently lost the amazing talents of Amy Winehouse, Nick Ashford and Jerry Leiber. My record collection and repertoire have both benefited from what they have produced. I regularly perform “All I Need To Get By” and “Stand By Me” and they will never feel the same again. Thank you for your contribution to music and my life. Rest in peace.