X Factor is Hope-less
3 December 2007 - X Factor's sexy girl group Hope have been voted off the show in week 7 after failing to impress the public.
The "manufactured" five-piece band - put together during the audition stages of the show after failing as soloists - missed out to Same Difference on Saturday night in the first ever public-only vote.
But despite being voted off, the girls from the band - Raquelle Gracie, 20, Phoebe Brown, 16, Charlie Mole, 23, Emily Biggs, 17, and Leah Lauder, 20 - still reckon they've got what it takes to land a record deal.
"We are just five normal girls who took a chance to go into this competition and we've come out as a strong-bonded girl group and we are not letting go of that," said Raquelle, who was contraversially given lead vocals ahead of Phoebe on Saturday night.
Mentor
That decision was made by their mentor Simon Cowell, whose brother and sister group Same Difference remain his only act left in the competition.
Cowell said: "They've just been great fun. It's not going to be the same without you girls."
"Contrary to what everybody said you've been an absolute pleasure to work with. I don't think this is the end of you," he said, criticising recent tabloid rumours that the band have been difficult to manage.
White-haired Welsh tenor Rhydian Roberts remains the firm favourite to win the contest.
