BB FANS

Thursday, 13th October 2005
Manchesteronline for the full story
Simon Donohue

Trevor after a session with hairstylist Nicky Oliver and some nre gear from Harvey NicholsWHEN crest-fallen X-Factor hopeful Trevor Hodgson was told he didn't have the look of a pop star his army of fans were outraged. But even the most ardent Trevor devotee had to concede the slightly built 5t 3ins Rochdale teenager was more geek than chic. And his penchant for bling didn't really help either.

But now, after our amazing makeover, the boy with the big voice has been transformed into a sharply-dressed man about town who could match the boys from Blue or Westlife in the style stakes.

Nope, he still looks like a librarian.

Meh, thats a bit harsh. He does scrub up ok. He certainly looks a lot older than he did on the show in that pic.

I feel quite strongly that if they dont want 16 year olds applying, they should have an 18 year old age limit. X-factor is about not just the singing, but the whole "popstar" image, and I can understand him not being put through because of his image.

However, I was quite cross that they took him so far before dumping him because of his image without trying to change that image or improve it. They talked about doing it with that lad that looked like a surfer dude as well, who didnt get through either, they were talking about him as though he would be marvellous (once he had a haircut and got himself some decent clothes and wouldnt the transformation make for great viewing...) It probably would have done, but in neither case, when both were strong singers, it didnt happen.

Louis saying it was because "he wasnt old enough to handle it" was unjustified. He seemed to be handling everything thus far ok. I know theres a case for the "16 can mean 6 as much as it can mean 26" in terms of personal maturity, but if you set an age limit that low, you have to expect that some of your contestants will be rawer, and need more support than some of the more hardened contestants who have been doing the rounds for years and got nowhere until now. It seems that if it gets to having to actually make some effort to be supportive, the only place you can find that, is in the Sharon Osbourne camp. Simon seems too busy furthering his own interests, and Louis just cant be bothered with someone who may make demands on him in terms of emotional support.

I know Sharon got the 16-24s last year, but they seemed to flourish under her hand and with her support. It seems a shame that because they felt the need to change things round this year, to swing the balance of power and make it in someway different, that they have left the most vulnerable age group with the least interested party.