X Factor raises £5,000 for charity

Last week saw the long-awaited return of The X Factor to the Eltham College stage. After much controversy on the judging panel, with Mrs Donaldson making a shock return (having technically been axed to make way for Cheryl the Nurse), the finalists gave excellent performances.  Mr Dunman hosted the evening  and the performers all united to sing "Don't Stop Believing" while the votes were being counted. On the night, the audience also had a chance to view the highs and lows of the audition process, as well as some unseen footage of the contestants rehearsing with big EC names.  Special guest on the night was Mr Cavendish with a rousing version of Big Yellow Taxi.

The winners were:

Thursday: 4Play (Sam Hardy, Tom Harden, Sachin Patel, Callum Thurley) with Keep on Movin
Friday: David Voisey with Your Song

Over £5,000 was raised for charities, including AZAR, an organisation which is building a secondary school in Tanzania, the BCCS, a local counselling service, and Nordoff-Robins, a musical therapy charity. Thanks to all those involved in creating such a fun, exciting and successful charity event, especially Hamish Greer and William Oram.