Liverpool X Factor contestant Christopher Maloney has his hopes hanging in the balance after he was dropped before the live shows, then chosen as a wildcard by judge Gary Barlow to go before the public vote.
After failing to convince the Take That front man that he was deserving of a place in the live finals, the 34-year-old from Kirkdale was handed a lifeline as a twist to the contest allowed all four judges to choose a wildcard in each category to compete for the last available place.
He now faces an agonising wait until next Saturday’s first live show when he will finally discover if he is one step closer to fulfilling his dream of a singing career.
In a show filled with agony, ecstasy, and a lot of tears, the remaining 24 acts were whittled down to 12 at the judges’ houses as the talent show reached the business end of the competition. Among those disappointed were Merseyside act Poisonous Twin, who went all the way to Las Vegas to perform for Louis Walsh and Sharon Osborne only to be rejected by the Irish judge.
Customer service advisor Maloney confessed he was “literally in a state” as he waited for judge Gary Barlow’s decision.
Admitting “it would totally change my life” if selected, Maloney said: “I’ve give everything that I’ve got. I can’t give any more.” He performed Air Supply’s ‘I’m All Out of Love’ in front of Barlow and former X Factor judge Cheryl Cole on Saturday night’s show.
Barlow was left impressed saying: “You’ve had an amazing reaction at every audition. People spend years trying to master that and you just seem to have it.” However, the head judge confessed that Maloney’s nerves “scare the living daylights out of me” and warned that those emotions are hard to conquer.
Confessing that it was his “hardest decision” Barlow found it difficult to tell a teary-eyed Christopher that his dreams had been dashed, opting for Scot Melanie Masson instead in the over 28s category. But the latest twist to the talent show has given him an opportunity to join the 12 chosen finalists on the road to possible fame and fortune.
On hearing that he was able to choose a wildcard, Gary Barlow said: “I’m so relieved we’ve got a wildcard because I agonised over Christopher. Telling him ‘no’ was awful.”
Voting for the wildcard acts closes at midday Saturday 6th October. The four wildcards are: Christopher Maloney (Overs); Adam Burridge (Boys); Amy Mottram (Girls); and Times Red (Groups).
The winner will be announced at the beginning of Saturday’s show which starts at 8pm on ITV1.