X Factor 2011: Tulisa scraps 'posh' boy band but saves 'shining star' Charlie in judges houses shake-up

Hillary Temmuz 07, 2021

By Holly Thomas

Lifeline: Charlie Healy has been offered a second chance at the expense of the other members of Chasing Keys, pictured below performing at Tulisa's house in Mykanos

It was a pivotal moment for the lucky X Factor hopefuls who managed to reach the crucial judges house stage of the competition.

But for one group their chance was stolen not by their competitors, but one of their own members.

Charlie Healy has been offered a lifeline by Tulisa at the expense of the rest of his group, Chasing Keys.

Tulisa described Charlie's singing: 'When Charlie is singing a line to you, and he's singing it to you, you believe it'

It appears that Charlie will join The Risk, a group which consists of hopefuls who originally auditioned as soloists, but failed to make the cut in their own right.

According to reports, Charlie's move comes at the expense of members Marlon McKenzie and Mitchell McPike.

As a result, The Risk now comprises Charlie, Derry Mensah, Ashley J. Baptiste and Andrew Merry.

Dilemma: Both Tulisa and Jessie J agreed that Charlie stood out from his bandmates, but weren't comfortable putting the group though as a whole

The upheaval has prompted speculation that other members of Chasing Keys were deemed 'too posh' for the competition.

Three members of the band, 24-year-olds Rohan Kapoor, Nick Jackson and Dan Lipman, went to £13,794-a-year St Albans School, Herts.

'She gave them the impression she saw them as toffs trying to be street rappers. The Keys are convinced that's why Tulisa didn't pick them,' a source told The Sun.

Emotional: Charlie described before their performance how difficult it felt to be rejected from something you love

Stole the show: The others' shaky vocals made Charlie's voice stand out even more for the judges

'It smacked to them of a decision based on a difference in their social backgrounds rather than their ability to sing.'

According to the Evening Standard, an ITV insider has insisted there is 'no truth' to the reported complaints of discrimination.

The group as a whole impressed judges at the first audition with their smooth harmonies on Aloe Blacc's hit I Need A Dollar- though even at that stage Charlie stood out for the judges.

Bitter: Charlie Healy is now said to be joining The Risk, reportedly prompting speculation from the others that they were deemed 'too posh' for the show

Making it work: Tulisa said that she felt there was 'something missing' from another group, and that adding Charlie to their number would be the perfect way of fixing this

Successfully reaching the next stage of the competition, the five performed Beyoncé’s Best thing I Never Had at judge Tulisa's house in Mykanos, Greece.

Observing alongside the N-Dubz star was British pop sensation Jessie J, who quipped as the boys arrived 'topped up on the suncream them?'

Following a shaky performance on the part of the others, the Do It Like A Dude singer told Tulisa: 'Charlie was 'the shining star for me.'

Awaiting the verdict: Tulisa's news came as an unpleasant shock to the other band members

Tulisa commented: 'I wanted to shake him and say breathe, cos he looked like he was going to collapse. He was the same colour as my dress.'

'When Charlie is singing a line to you, and he’s singing it to you, you believe it,' she added.

The outstanding member had been extremely emotional before the performance.

Something missing: The Risk see a shake up as members Marlon McKenzie and Mitchell McPike have reportedly been axed to make room for Charlie

First audition: Chasing Keys impressed initially with their tuneful rendition of 'I Need A Dollar'

Charlie described how difficult he found it to be rejected when you 'love something so much.'

However the surprising result rendered the last line he sang during their audition- 'I bet it sucks to be you right now' - somewhat poignant.

It appears that despite his nerves, he has secured a place in the next stage of the competition.

Pivotal moment: The judges face Tulisa and a crutch-wielding Jessie J for the next pivotal stage of the competition

Tulisa later anguished over her decision, saying: 'Here’s the biggest dilemma, this group for me is not working, but I like one member.'

'And in this group for me something is missing. So here’s what I’m thinking, take the one member of this group that isn’t working and put him into this group that has something missing.'

It was clear that Charlie had been 'tagged on' to another group, sending his former bandmates home.

Thrilled: The eight male hopefuls had no problem with Robbie's ensemble

The judge stressed the necessity of her choice, emphasising: 'If I think in my head that they are going to get knocked out in the first few weeks what’s the point?'

Meanwhile in LA things were a little more lighthearted as Robbie Williams took things to the next level when he joined X Factor judge, Gary Barlow for his stint as an X Factor advisor.

Making his entrance in nothing but a nude pair of boxers, pulled up socks and a total of six palm leaves, the Take That star shocked Gary and his male contestants as he made his entrance and proudly struck a pose.

Fragile: 16-year-old Luke Lucas broke down during his performance, prompting concern from Gary

Uncomfortable: Gary told Luke to stop and start again

The singer was making a reference to eighties star Sinitta's appearance on the show in 2009, when she helped ex-partner, Simon Cowell whittle down his hopefuls.

'I saw Sinitta in it and thought, that’s what I want to do! What do you reckon lads?!' he exclaimed gleefully.

The eight pop star wannabes looked delighted to meet the Take That star - even if he was showing a bit too much flesh - with Marcus Collins replying: 'For a minute I genuinely thought it was Sinnita!'

Things took a more serious turn however when fragile Luke Lucas, 16, broke down during his performance.

Tough decision: Robbie wanted to see Luke go through based on the strength of his first audition

Remember when our hair looked like that? Robbie and Gary loved Frankie's performance, but also poked fun at his messy 'do

Feeling the heat: John said auditioning for the second time at judges houses was harder because the pressure was greater, while Marcus belted out We Got Family by Paloma Faith

A source told The Sun: 'Luke found the pressure really difficult. He messed up one of his songs then started crying when he feared he had blown his chance.

'Gary and Robbie were really worried.'

Meanwhile in Miami, Kelly Rowland had invited her close friend, Jennifer Hudson along to help her choose her finalists.

Dream girls: Kelly Rowland was joined in her Miami home by Oscar winner and singer Jennifer Hudson

Entranced: Jennifer Hudson loved 16-year-old Janet Devlin's rendition of Christina Aguilera's Beautiful

Miami girls: Melanie belted out Bruno Mars' Grenade, while Misha impressed Kelly and Tulisa

Melanie -who sang Bruno Mars' hit Grenade - was thrilled, exclaiming: 'Never in a million years would I have dreamed I'd get this far, it’s just what dreams are made of.'

16-year-old Janet Devlin impressed with an original rendition of Christina Aguilera's Beautiful, which left Kelly and Jennifer both moved.

X Factor stalwart Sinitta joined Louis Walsh in Barcelona for his selection stage, where the pair were pleasantly surprised by Johnny Robinson's performance of Love Is A Losing Game.

Sinitta gushed: 'God, Louis I loved that. Where did that voice come from?'

Was it enough? Jade sang a beautiful rendition of I Can't Make you Love Me but Kelly and Jennifer were concerned that her voice lacked 'a certain something' tonight

Nervous: Holly (left) put in a stellar performance while Amelia Lili dazzled with Katy Perry 'Extraterrestrial' which Kelly said she sang like it was written for her

Johnny himself was overwhelmed by his surroundings, and confessed: 'This place is absolutely incredible. It’s not like where I live. I haven’t even got a proper bed,it’s just very pokey.'

Kitty Brucknell was predictably kooky, jumping into the pool after she sang Kelly Clarkson's Beautiful Disaster.