X Factor Article

Here is a news story I wrote for my News and Feature writing module assignment at Birmingham City University. It had to be appropriate for an informal student magazine, so I chose to write about The X Factor final, which at the time of print was a popular and current topic.

LITTLE Mix have made X Factor history by becoming the first girl band to win the ITV3 talent show.

The four young ladies and mentor Tulisa Contostavlos screamed in delight after Dermot O’Leary revealed they had won the public vote last night.
   Band members Jesy Nelson, 20, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, 19, Perrie Edwards, 18 and Jade Thirlwall, 18, successfully secured the prize after singing En Vogue's Don't Let Go (Love) and a compelling cover of Christmas carol Silent Night.
    The girls beat fellow contestant 23-year old hairdresser Marcus Collins, who delivered a lively performance of Jackie Wilson's (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher but dwindled slightly with a shaky version of Last Christmas by Wham!
   The winner’s Christmas single Cannonball by Damien Rice was then performed by both acts in the busy Wembley Arena in North London where the final took place.
   17-year old runner up Amelia Lily was booted out on Saturday night’s show, leaving Little Mix to battle it out with Marcus Collins in the big final.
   Little Mix are set to rake in an astonishing £8 million from commercial deals alongside their prize of a £150,000 recording contract following their X Factor glory. Show business tycoon Simon Cowell has already expressed plans of turning the group into the next Spice Girls, recruiting Richard “Biff” Stannard to pen a smash hit for the band. Stannard aided the Spice Girls in their bid to find fame, and will no doubt work his magic again with the perfect pop package that is Little Mix. X Factor judge Gary Barlow is also set to be involved with their swiftly rising career, as the successful artist and songwriter has been enlisted to help write for their first album.
   The talented foursome have already received multiple offers, and they are expected to earn £50,000 a time whilst promoting products for major brand names. Hair products, clothing manufacturers, cosmetic firms and corporate gigs are examples of the commercial deals the lucky ladies will be offered.
   Bookies claimed last night that Little Mix weren’t deemed favourites to clinch the Christmas Number One spot. For the past few years the X Factor winner has always been predicted to be the seasonal best seller, but the odds saw them fall behind as 9/4 second favourites to the Military Wives. Punters who bet Little Mix would win the contest will collect over £200,000 in winnings.