Team Ricky
Ricky thinks he has the "strongest team" - which is just as well - and Will thinks he has something up his sleeve all the time "like a ninja". In his first meeting with his knockout team, Ricky congratulates them all and urges them to pick their songs carefully. It's clear that everyone is feeling 'quite nervous' and even Ricky confesses he's feeling terrified. So we should probably get going...
Jessica Steele - 'La La La'
Ricky stole Jessica from Will's team, and likes the personality she brings to songs. She's actually gone very interesting in her song choice, opting for Naughty Boy's 'La La La' (she explains that she likes to pick songs that don't suit her and make them fit, which is ace). The only problem is that she's a big worrier and asks a lot of questions ("Is my face too expressiony?"). Ricky admits he needs her to improve from rehearsals, and that she needs to think about the thing that will go right instead of the things that could go wrong. In the event, I think she does - her reggae-flavoured take on 'La La La' is super fun with plenty of power, energy and lots of good dancing and stage presence. She has a really rich voice - even if nerves make it falter at times - and she even gets Sir Tom clapping along... "That's the best she's done it," Ricky admits. Plus, she didn't cry! Way to go, Jessica.
Chris Royal - 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow'
Ricky says that Chris can walk into a room, and suddenly you feel like everything is fine, which is basically adorable ("He's an unlikely but perfect popstar"). Chris opts to sing 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow' because it's about finding your dreams and that kind of thing, but it's been performed so many times before - can Chris really do something new with it? And Ricky's also concerned about him changing up the song each time he sings it. In the end, though, whatever he did worked. He has a lovely rich voice and the whole performance just sweeps you up - that's without even mentioning the amazing falsetto. Will's eyes are wide open, Kylie can't help but woo and Ricky has his hand on his heart. Basically, Chris won everyone over.
Beth McCarthy - 'Teenage Dirtbag'
First things first, it's frankly disgusting that Beth was only three years old when 'Teenage Dirtbag' came out. It just shouldn't be allowed, and we sympathise with head-in-hands Ricky. Actually, though, being the youngest person in the competition is scaring Beth a little bit, so Ricky advises her not to worry about anyone else. And as soon as she begins her performance, I fall in love with Beth all over again. She does falter a bit on the chorus, but I think she's fantastic with loads of stage presence. She's not perfect, of course, but with so much natural talent and charisma, there's something about her - and her voice is beautiful in the quieter moments. On the other hand, Tom is not happy: "It's not a very nice title, is it, 'Teenage Dirtbag'? Dirtbag?'"
Christina Marie - 'Vision of Love'
Ricky thinks Christina Marie is a powerhouse - in fact, he says she has a "soulful, diva, powerful, massive voice". He likes her, then. And Christina Marie is hoping to show her talent off with Mariah's 'Vision of Love'. Actually, though, Ricky's a bit worried about that - after all, it's hard to compete with Mariah. Christina Marie admits she's nervous, and she stumbles with the timing in rehearsals (though Ricky is encouraging: "I'm not putting you through, because if you get to the final I have to sing with you, and I'm not singing with you"). They clearly have a connection - they have some cute eye contact before Christina Marie begins singing - but wow. When she opens her mouth, it's stunning. Why was anyone worried? She's incredible, and a natural. The other Team Ricky girls look a little bit sick with nerves. The coaches love it too - Ricky laughs, while Tom tells him: "I hate you... She can sing saaaang." He even says "fuhgeddaboutit". Kylie thinks she has raw talent, but Christina Marie and Ricky are too busy telling each other they're shaking. Such a cute relationship.
Jazz Bates-Chambers - 'Work It Out'
Poor Jazz. All she can whisper after Christina Marie's performance is: "Who would want to follow that?" But she has to - and she's going to be taking on Beyoncé. Ricky isn't too sure about the choice at first because he thinks it's safe; it's only when he hears Jazz rehearse that he realises it's anything but. Jazz is keen to make the song her own, and I think she does - she has such a cool voice, and so much lip-curling attitude. It's dancey and fun and earns a standing ovation from all four coaches. "I don't know what to do," Ricky groans afterwards. Seriously, all of his acts could go through, right?
Max Murphy - 'Home'
Ricky thinks the girls are going to love Max, but he's not very familiar with his choice of 'Home' by Gabrielle Aplin (though he thinks that might be a good thing). He suggests that Max's weapon is his confidence - advising him to show his eyes for the girls - but Max feels like he has a lot on the line. I do love how his Scottish accent comes through in his performance to make him more unusual, and it's definitely a different take on the song. It's not a perfect rendition - Tom says it was a bit pitchy - but there's no doubt that Max has talent.
Emily Adams - 'Slip'
Emily chooses to sing 'Slip' by Stooshe to show her youthful side, but Ricky is a little bit worried about the choice of song; he thinks it's copying a '60s aesthetic too much. Emily's worried that Ricky won't put her through because he doesn't like the song, so she's determined to show him it's the right track in the knockouts. And she does have so much power and oomph when she takes to the stage, prowling around and really showing what she can do with her voice. It gets Kylie on her feet, anyway!
Ricky's big decision...
That's it - Team Ricky have done all they can, and it's time for Ricky to make his mind up. Giving him some useful advice, Tom suggests he'd pick Christina, Jazz and Chris (though everyone did well), and will.i.am praises Chris, Christina and Jessica. But it's all down to Ricky, who seems to be finding it a little difficult. First, he puts through Chris Royal, saying he promised to fight for him ("I meant it, man"). Next, he bashes his button for Christina Marie, who dissolves into puddles of tears.
But with just one spot left, Ricky starts to struggle - who should he pick? He goes to the other coaches for advice, saying he's stuck between Emily and Jazz. Kylie's for Jazz ("her name is Jazz"), Will backs Jessica, and Tom likes "little Beth". In the end, Kylie tells Ricky to follow his heart and he does, picking Emily Adams as his final team member! Jessica obviously ends up in tears ("At least I didn't cry when I was singing!"), while Ricky tells Jazz she was so close. Phew, that was emotional.
Team Will
Will thinks his team is pristine with vocals to the extreme, so there. He advises his acts to choose their songs carefully ("There's no secret ingredient to blowing-away sauce, it's the song"), and admits that he's worried about potentially sending home a superstar. So let's get it going and find out what he'll do...
James Byron - 'Love Hurts'
Will compares James to Ziggy Stardust or Billy Idol, saying he has something really special. And James wants to prove he does with 'Love Hurts', which he chose because it made his hairs stand on end the first time he heard it. He also talks about how the show has improved his confidence, which is lovely. But when he steps on stage it's all about the voice, obviously, and his is amazing. It's so clear and pure - just wow. "I like that!" Tom declares. "You can tell he means it," Ricky adds.
Iesher Haughton - 'Try It On My Own'
Will thinks Iesher is a "little powerhouse" and she'll need to be - she's taking on a Whitney Houston song, because her mum used to sing it to her, which is sweet. She also feels like Will has helped her with her confidence, but it seems like they connect on a different level too, as Iesher starts talking about how she feels like a fizzed-up coke bottle. They're clearly meant to be. And Iesher has the voice to match - she's so strong, and you can tell her confidence has been boosted (plus, her mum looks so touched, and it's sweet).
Callum Crowley - 'Sound of the Underground'
There are instant points for Callum for choosing a solid gold tune, but he wants to prove that he can perform, and his attempts to dance and sing are leaving him out of breath ("It's the sound of the out of breath," Will grins). Will suggests that he could either perform amazing vocal runs or dance around, but what will he do? Callum feels like the song is a massive risk now, but he does a good job with it - he feels like he would work as a popstar (and hey, he's not losing his breath!). Tom isn't entirely convinced though as he thinks Callum messed up at one point - and, indeed Callum says he missed a note. Oh dear.
Jermain Jackman - 'A House Is Not A Home'
Will thinks Jermain has old soul and a heart of gold, but he's just taken on a big challenge - performing Will's mum's favourite song! "Don't mess it up," Will jokes. Eek. Will also thinks that Jermain's humble attitude could hold him back ("You can't politely decapitate the competition"), and advises him not to do the "Scooby Doo" (it's hard to explain, but it weirdly works when Will says it). In the end, Jermain does a fabulous job - he has such a soulful, classic voice that makes you sit up and listen. Ricky doesn't think there's anyone else like that at the moment, Kylie was "gone" and Tom says: "That's the kind of music I understand." Good job, Jermain.
Anna McLuckie - 'Autumn'
Anna has chosen 'Autumn' because she sang it once at school, and it was the first time people really told her she could sing. But Will isn't too convinced ("It's the least likely song to see someone just trailblaze") and begins mixing up the arrangement ("glockenspiel?"). Anna's excited to see him work, but she's also a bit worried that her song choice could be a little bit safe. In the knockout, there's no doubt that she has a magnificent voice - it's so pure and captivating that in the quieter moments you could hear a pin drop. "I don't think anyone could dislike that," Ricky admits.
Nomakhosi - 'Runaway Baby'
Will stole Nomakhosi - "She's a gem because she's vocal jewellery" - leaving her worrying about the fact that he knows the other contestants better. Mind you, he seems to like her a lot, warning his other acts to watch their backs! Nomakhosi chose 'Runaway Baby' because it allows her to have fun on stage, and she certainly does that in her knockout. She has a great voice and she stalks around, prompting the coaches to go a bit weird. "Who put the bump in the bumpy bumpy bump?" Tom asks. "I think it was you," Ricky replies. "I saw you put the bump in the bumpy bumpy bump." Let's move on.
Sophie May Williams - 'Moon River'
Will thinks Sophie May should have been in The Great Gatsby, what with her 1920s vibe, and she's keeping it vintage with her song choice - though she does worry about messing up Audrey Hepburn's song. Still, Will seems to like it ("She's like a unicorn and took me to wonderland"). He even goes on an extended rabble about being on a swing in the meadow. And when Sophie May takes to the stage, it's easy to see why. I can't exactly explain it, but when she opens her mouth, it's like she's telling a story; it doesn't feel like just a note, but complex and layered. She pulls you in brilliantly and I was utterly compelled.
Will's big decision...
So, who will Will choose? Ricky says it's hard to whittle them down because they're all so different, but names Jermain and Anna as his favourites. Kylie says she was just enjoying it because she doesn't have to choose (helpful), while Tom admits that he's a big Jermain fan ("He's got the whole choir right there in one mouth").
But, of course, it's down to Will - who marvels at how quiet it gets when he pushes his button. But who did he push it for? Iesher Haughton! She's followed by Jermain Jackman and, finally, Sophie May Williams. That's it! That's Team Will!
In fact, now we have all the teams and it's less than a week to the live shows. All the coaches think they're going to win, but what do you think? Let us know whether the coaches picked the right people below!
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