X Factor - Simon Cowell chooses his weapons
9 October 2007 - Over in the Groups category, on the morning of their big reveal, Simon was sure of his decision, but for once wasn't relishing telling "people I like that they won't be going through".
As the Marbella sun beat down everyone was getting hot under the collar as the groups who chased their dream knew that for half of the bands there, it would all be over, and all before lunch.
As Simon sat sprawled on a throne-like chair, he delivered straight-up bad news to trio Ghostt. A shame for the band Simon called "three of the most respectful guys ever".
I Sette Cantante – or seven skinny lads as the crew called them throughout – also missed out, and now, they're off to university. As singer James said, "it's the end of the road for the group".
But it was good news for Same Difference "two of the nicest people I've ever met", Futureproof (even though he called them five of the most miserable guys!) and girl group Hope.
While some were shocked at those results – even one of the groups who had won had some gobsmacking news of their own.
If you read the papers last weekend perhaps the show's final reveal wasn't exactly unexpected – Sisi Jaglef, effervescent member of brand new girl band Hope, was sacked from the show.
Sisi, the show explained, was removed because she had an outstanding criminal conviction which is against the rules of The X Factor. The producers then asked her to leave both the group and programme.
As Sisi missed her much longed-for chance for fame, her new band was shaken to the core. Remaining members Pheobe, Raquelle, Emily, Charlie and Leah valiantly tried to step over yet another big hurdle in their road to the top. Will they let it phase them? We think not!
Check out the full profiles of the three groups who've won through to the live final...
X Factor finalist profile - Same Difference
