(Jamaica Observer) DALTON Harris is one step closer to clinching the X Factor UK title for 2018 after the Jamaican cruised into next weekend’s semi-final of the popular televised talent show.
Harris, who stunned the audience on Saturday with a stirring rendition of Listen —originally recorded by pop superstar Beyoncé for the soundtrack of the film version of the hit musical Dreamgirls — was one of the early ones chosen to move on to next week and was visibly relieved when his name was announced by the show’s host, Dermot O’Leary.
Within hours of his performance on Saturday the studio recording of the song began racing up the iTunes singles charts in the UK. The song jumped onto the chart at number 43, and by early yesterday was sitting pretty at number 15.
For the past four weeks Harris has been the only X Factor UK contestant to consistently chart with his studio recordings. Harris’s covers of California Dreamin’, Creep and I Have Nothing from past weeks are also still ranking on the iTunes chart just shy of the top 100 mark. He has also been the top X Factor contestant on this chart since the the live performances began quite often he is the only contestant who cracks the iTunes chart for the week. At one point yesterday he had three songs charting — Listen, California Dreamin’ and Creep.
His consistent and exceptional performances have made him a favourite to take the title and continue to earn him a new legion of fans. Music legend Nile Rodgers, who sat in a guest judge for series judge and mentor Robbie Williams, named Harris as his pick for this season’s title.
“I really love Dalton,” he responded when asked during yesterday’s show.
Guest performer on yesterday’s show, British pop act Cheryl, also named the 24-year-old Jamaican singer as her choice.
Harris is the 2010 winner of the local Digicel Rising Stars.
It was another nail-biting results show on Sunday as the eight contestants awaited their fate based on their previous day’s performances. At the end of last night in addition to Harris it was Danny Tetley of the Overs, Brendan Murray and Anthony Russell of the Boys’ team, Scarlette Lee of the Girls’ team and Acacia & Aaliyah from the Groups. Simon Cowell’s Girls’ team got a double blow as Bella Penfold and Shan Ako were the two contestants to go home. Both these girls will, however, have a chance to participate in the X Factor Live Tour across the United Kingdom along with the top six finalists, thanks to a lifeline thrown to them by Cowell, who is the show’s co-creator and their mentor.
The semi-final performance show airs this coming Saturday with the results the following day. The finals of X Factor is set for December 1.
