X Factor: Who's next for the axe?

Might Hope (aka Phoebe and the Woo Woo Girls) be in trubs?

Still singing: Opera Mentalist, Buxom Dinnerlady, Scary Family, Weeping Scotsman, Boring Diva, The Five Slappers

There are six acts left, and this week they're going to be singing sad love songs intended to make you cry. But which one of these massive twerps will be sobbing like they've just downed a bottle of gin and watched Mr Holland's Opus come late Saturday evening?

Hope
With Cowell overruled so they can sing their own song (Hurt, by Aguilera) and their stylist on hold for a week so they can dress themselves, Hope could be in trouble. Rumours of infighting erupted when Charlie (dinky mum-of-one) shrieked something angry about not wanting to be part of a band called "Phoebe and the Woo Woo Girls" (Phoebe is the lead singer). And with two visits to the bottom two so far, it could be a case of three strikes and out (Voices With Soul, series one; The Conway Sisters, series two).

Beverley
Also on seriously unsteady ground, the whole big soul diva thing has been done to death - Brenda/Rowetta (both came fourth). Hence she is old hat. Simon is becoming increasingly unimpressed, and she lacks any sex appeal. Bottom two?

Leon
The trembling lip, the relentlessly sad tales about his squalid little life - what's not to love about tragic Leon? With Rhydian as the only other male for girls to coo over, he could be safe thanks to the hormonal vote.

Same Difference
Each year has seen an infuriatingly bad act survive until the later stages - notably The MacDonald Brothers (fourth, last year). With Hope looking the most likely group for the chop, perhaps next week will be their time to go?

Niki
Big-bosomed and strong of voice, Niki is the only contender for Rhydian's crown.

Rhydian
Stoical, weird, sexless - Rhydian is in it to win it. Safe as the proverbial houses.