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Ben Shephard dishes the X Factor goss!
'If I was going to audition I would sing something like "I'd Do Anything For Love But I Won't Do That" by Meatloaf.' The cheeky chappy host of The Xtra Factor gives his insider tips on which acts to back this year (clue: it isn't him)
Did you notice a change in level of talent this year at the auditions?
Ben Shephard: I think the bar has been raised because that is what happens when you find a great singer like Shayne and the final five acts that we had last year. The credibility of a show like The X Factor is built on the respect for an artist, and Shayne certainly seems to have delivered that.
What can we look forward to in this year's Xtra Factor?
Ben Shephard: We continue to take an alternative look at The X Factor experience. I think we are the antidote to the emotional trauma that the contestants go through. There's more of me embarrassing myself, as usual, various sketches and far too much laughter for anybody's good.
How do you cope when the judges start bickering in your live shows?
Ben Shephard: I love it! I think if we get the judges arguing then I'm asking the right questions. The most important thing for me is that I am a fan of The X Factor, I love everything about it just like the viewers so I ask the questions that the fans would want to ask. If I just gave them an easy time, then I would be letting everyone down. I mean, a fight is much more interesting than a cuddle isn't it?
Do you think Louis will walk off again this year?
Ben Shephard: Who knows what Louis is going to do this year. He claims that he's not going to walk off and he has said that it was a one-off thing, but if Simon winds him up like he has been across the auditions, because he and Sharon have been having a lot of fun at Louis's expense, then it could all go pear-shaped again!
What would your audition song be?
Ben Shephard: If I was going to audition I would sing something like 'I'd Do Anything For Love But I Won't Do That' by Meatloaf because it's the longest song in the world and I would insist on singing every single verse to bore them into submission.
Which is the category to look out for this year?
Ben Shephard: My top tip at the moment is the groups because we had more groups audition this year than ever before. And the groups have been really successful over the last two years even though we had smaller numbers auditioning, so they could be the outside bet for this year's X Factor.
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Created: 11/09/2006 Updated: 11/09/2006
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