'X Factor' to rework Jackson song for charity

The 'X Factor' finalists are to release a cover of Michael Jackson’s 'You Are Not Alone' to raise money for sick children, it was announced today.

All 12 remaining acts in the ITV talent show recorded the charity single, which will be sold in aid of London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Viewers will see the singers perform the track for the first time during the results show on Sunday November 15, when fans will be able to pre-order it.

The single will go on sale from Monday November 16.

Jackson, who died in June, went to number one with the song in 1995.

Last year’s first 'X Factor' charity single – a cover of Mariah Carey’s 'Hero' - raised more than £1m for the Help For Heroes charity.

Simon Cowell said: “Following last year’s record we made with the X Factor finalists in aid of Help For Heroes last year we decided we wanted to do something annually on the show to help good causes.

“This year we chose to work with Great Ormond Street to help raise funds and awareness for their incredible work.

“I’m very proud of the single and I really hope it raises an enormous amount of money for people who really need our help.”

Fellow judge Louis Walsh, who returned to the panel last night for the first time since the death of Boyzone singer Stephen Gately, added: “Great Ormond Street Hospital does some incredible work and I implore everyone to go out and buy the single to help raise money for such a worthy cause.”

Dr Jane Collins, chief executive at Great Ormond Street Hospital, said: “We really hope that the public will buy this recording so we can raise as much money as possible to allow us to continue to help sick children from across the UK get better.”

Patient Jade Rowles, 14, said last year’s winner Alexandra Burke visited her shortly after she had a lung transplant.

“The visit from her really cheered me up and she even invited me to the X Factor live tour – one of the best nights of my life,” she said. “If you buy this record you’ll be helping lots of other kids like me.”

Boyzone manager Walsh thanked the public for their support and was soon back in the swing of things arguing with fellow judge Cowell on last night’s show.

“It’s great to be back,” Walsh said. “These three have been getting away with murder. I’m absolutely back with a vengeance.

“I want to thank everybody that helped me for the last two weeks. I got great support from the public.”

The third live show, dubbed Big Band night, saw the remaining contestants take to the stage with the backing of a 35 piece orchestra.

The contestants had been put through their paces during the week by Canadian singer Michael Buble.

Walsh and Cowell began sniping over Cowell’s song choice – 'Angel of Harlem' by U2 – for afro-sporting contestant Jamie Archer.

Walsh said: “I feel it’s cheating because everybody else sang a big band song.”

But mentor Cowell hit back and said Walsh, who mentors outlandish brothers John and Edward Grimes, was in no position to preach about musical taste.

One of the acts will be axed from the show tonight after the public vote.

Buble will be joined by boyband Westlife for performances on tonight’s results show.