Cheryl Cole - is the nation losing its sweetheart?

Blogging about the X-Factor is not something that I enjoy doing too much - after all, anyone who is anyone seems to have a blog on the subject these days and the public are at risk of being X-Factored to death this year! I've done quite well. I've only blogged about it once (now twice) when I championed Wagner and do not consider it a secret that I am a fan of his. In fact, I was all set to write a moany old blog post about his departure on Saturday after he was left in the bottom three, only for the unthinkable to happen and him to be passed through to the next round.

However, what annoyed me more than if Wagner had have lost the public vote was the way that Cheryl confronted him on national television about a comment he made about her in the press. Why? Because there really was no need!

Do we remember Cheryl Cole? Apparently, she's the nation's sweetheart. Plucked from Girls Aloud to marry Chelsea footballer Ashley Cole, the country quickly fell in love with the Geordie lass. Why? You tell me? I never really quite got her. Is it because she likes to speak her mind? No, I've never really seen her do much on The X-Factor except agree with Simon Cowell as she looks to keep her job. Is it because she is a talented singer? A matter of opinion but, erm.....no. So why is it? More than likely, its because she married an England footballer and became the English-residing version of Victoria Beckham.

Regardless, all of a sudden everyone loved Cheryl Cole and she happily played up to the admiration, glancing sweet smiles towards every member of the press she happened to spot whilst out and about. Until Saturday, that is, when she thought it appropriate to blast Wagner live on air for a newspaper comment she read allegedly quoting her as a 'council estate girl who got lucky.'

Cheryl Cole: Pulling her 'happy' face again

In actual fact, Wagner's quote was heralding the dramatic rise to fame of a council estate girl who got a lucky break with her talent. He was actually praising the judge but because she feels his place in the competition is questionable, she felt it necessary to confront him during a live show.

Anyone who thought Cheryl was a sweetheart will have quickly changed their opinion of her, upon seeing Wagner's surprised face as she confronted him. Not only is it hugely unprofessional to air the private lives of a contestant on a show that is allegedly about singing talent, but for the woman who has been misquoted in the press over a hundred times, it is downright hypocritical.

Would I expect my boss to criticise something I said about him in passing in front of my editorial team? No, I'd expect him to take the matter behind closed doors to discuss amicably!

Of course, the press has also said it's fair share about Cheryl's contestant Cher Lloyd but would Cheryl ask her about her alleged sexploits in the house on live television? No. Would she ask her about allegedly womanising young boys live on air? No. For Cher is not Wagner.

Assuming that the X-Factor is indeed based on public votes then there is no shortage of Wagner fans out there - how else would he have eclipsed Paije and Aiden in the competition? Why is he so liked? Because he is great fun! OK, he's not the best singer (unless he is singing opera) and his rendition of The Beatles' 'Hey Jude' was shocking but at the same time it was hilarious and more importantly, great fun! And that is just what you need in a competition that is being taken far too seriously. 

Wagner: He's not here to be taken seriously 

Have you actually looked at Cheryl's face whenever another judge dare criticise one of her acts? She looks as though she has just been dealt a personal blow to the face. If she is to continue as a judge on the show then surely she needs to be able to handle criticism. Furthermore, did you see her face when it was revealed Cher was in the sing-off? She looked as though someone had taken her own daughter off her. The worst thing is, Cheryl and her acts truly do believe they are a family and that is why they have become so painful and dull to watch. The X-Factor is meant to be an entertainment programme - not a reflection on the fortunes of Cheryl Cole and she needs to understand that a vote against one of her acts is not a vote against her.

Upon confronting Wagner on the live show, she then proceeded to argue with the members of the public that phoned in the Xtra-Factor, questioning the professionalism of her actions - yes - Cheryl Cole ranted and argued with the very public that helped put her on a pedestal so many years ago! The very people that made her as famous as she now is! The very people, whose following actually helped get her a place on the judge's stool for The X-Factor in the first place. And then, she spat on them all, in favour of a bitchy tirade at someone who is only there to give the public something to smile about on an otherwise lacklustre Saturday night.

I'm not looking to vilify Cheryl Cole. She has done that to herself. I merely want to point out how dull the programme is becoming and furthermore, how dull it would be should Wagner be voted out. He and Louis Walsh are the only two in the entire programme who are not taking it too seriously. Judging by everyone else's reactions, anyone would have thought that the exiting contestant was put to a firing squad after each show......

That would certainly make it more interesting...................................................