X Factor runners-up may not get contract, says Cowell

SIMON COWELL last night said the pressure was on for the X Factor finalists to win the show tomorrow night because in the current economic climate he could not guarantee runners-up a recording contract.

Asked if he was going to sign up any of the other contestants, he said: “I’m not going to make any decisions at this time. I think under the current climate I would say it was more important to win the show this year than any other year.

“Like every other business the record business is tough-er than it was last year.”

Cowell said this year’s final was the most exciting yet.

“It’s the most exciting final we’ve done. I genuinely can’t call it.

“I’m really looking forward to Saturday. I think it’s going to be a right old ding-dong,” he said.

Alexandra Burke, 20, said she was not going to let the fact she is bookies’ favourite affect her performance.

“The bookies’ favourite to win changes every week, it changes all the time. So to me it absolutely means nothing. As Simon said, it’s all about your performance on the night.”

Eoghan Quigg, 16, said he was not nervous about the final.

“All three acts want to win and all three are good,” he said.

Boy band JLS said they wanted to be the first group to win the X Factor.