Ms. Bailey has been streets ahead of the competition from week one of the live shows. Women in the Over 25s category have failed to make a big splash during The X Factor’s decade long reign but this was the year things changed.
As well as her ability to dazzle the judges, studio audience and viewers with her vocal range, Sam stood out in a contest frequently over-populated with teenagers.
The 36-year-old also benefitted from a year in which both Celine Dion and Cher, who both performed on the show this season, have launched highly successful comebacks.
ITV gave The X Factor fans over four hours of live television spread, with the stage super-sized to Wembley Arena. All contestants promptly got into stadium pop mode with elaborate staging, effects and armies of dancers fuelling the hype.
As well as her ability to dazzle the judges, studio audience and viewers with her vocal range, Sam stood out in a contest frequently over-populated with teenagers.
The 36-year-old also benefitted from a year in which both Celine Dion and Cher, who both performed on the show this season, have launched highly successful comebacks.
ITV gave The X Factor fans over four hours of live television spread, with the stage super-sized to Wembley Arena. All contestants promptly got into stadium pop mode with elaborate staging, effects and armies of dancers fuelling the hype.
However, Nicholas’ opener of Robbie Williams’ Candy, co-written by Gary Barlow, failed to relight the Take That front man’s fire. He saw it as the wrong time for the 17-year-old balladeer to start experimenting, but the viewers disagreed.
The psychedelic and campy routine, plus a duet of Flying Without Wings with Westlife’s Shane Filan, saw the Scot safely through to Sunday night.
Meanwhile, Sam received a standing ovation for her apt performance of Lady Gaga’s The Edge of Glory, but it was her vocally exhausting duet with judge Nicole Scherzinger that raised the roof.
The twosome’s version of the Dreamgirls belter And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going showcased the kind of Mariah Carey-esque vocal gymnastics that the The X Factor has become infamous for.
It was bad news for Devon’s Luke Friend though who, despite duetting with Ellie Goulding on Anything Could Happen, finished last in the vote and was eliminated.
Sunday night’s Grand Final cranked things up a notch further with a spectacular duet from Elton John and Gary Barlow plus a spirited performance by One Direction.
Ultimately though, the night belonged to Sam with her renditions of Jennifer Rush’s The Power of Love and Demi Lovato’s Skyscraper clinching the crown.
Receiving over a million votes, she has won not only a recording contract but also the support slot on the UK leg of Beyonce’s Mrs. Carter tour next year.
And of course Skyscraper, her debut single out now, is surely a strong contender to top the singles chart this Christmas.
The psychedelic and campy routine, plus a duet of Flying Without Wings with Westlife’s Shane Filan, saw the Scot safely through to Sunday night.
Meanwhile, Sam received a standing ovation for her apt performance of Lady Gaga’s The Edge of Glory, but it was her vocally exhausting duet with judge Nicole Scherzinger that raised the roof.
The twosome’s version of the Dreamgirls belter And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going showcased the kind of Mariah Carey-esque vocal gymnastics that the The X Factor has become infamous for.
It was bad news for Devon’s Luke Friend though who, despite duetting with Ellie Goulding on Anything Could Happen, finished last in the vote and was eliminated.
Sunday night’s Grand Final cranked things up a notch further with a spectacular duet from Elton John and Gary Barlow plus a spirited performance by One Direction.
Ultimately though, the night belonged to Sam with her renditions of Jennifer Rush’s The Power of Love and Demi Lovato’s Skyscraper clinching the crown.
Receiving over a million votes, she has won not only a recording contract but also the support slot on the UK leg of Beyonce’s Mrs. Carter tour next year.
And of course Skyscraper, her debut single out now, is surely a strong contender to top the singles chart this Christmas.
