XFACTOR contestant James Arthur suffered a panic attack after his performance on Saturday’s show.

Well, he wants to try writing a review for The Northern Echo about a show I generally try my best to avoid.

Where to start with X Factor in terms of what I dislike the least about it?

The annoying voiceover, the way judges are introduced as superstars, the regularly weak cover versions of classic songs, the way the audience boo even the mildest of criticism.

You have to sympathise with some of the poor “hopefuls”, who are put through the emotional wringer in the name of over-hyped drama.

If that isn’t bad enough, take a look at the names of some of those on show.

District 3? Union J? Those aren’t proper band names.

Then we have Kye Sones and the risible Rylan Clark. Just appalling.

Can someone also tell Gary Barlow that a white shirt and black tie is best left for funerals?

Arthur – is he from Saltburn or Middlesbrough, no one seems quite sure? – sang Mary J Blige’s R&B number No More Drama, appropriate in the circumstances.

Tulisa told him he was his favourite boy by far, and Gary Barlow described him as absolutely awesome.

Arthur, 24, who was the first to qualify for the next round courtesy of the public vote, did not require the ambulance that was called following his panic attack.

He might just want to call it back after the tabloids linked him with ex-Page 3 star Jodie Marsh, who is now into body building and tattoos.

Still things are looking up for the ex-pub singer. According to presenter Dermot Leary he got to go for a pint with former Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger, his mentor in the show.

After yesterday’s results’ show, the two least popular acts with the public were revealed as boy band District 3 and Melanie – the oldest contestant in this year’s competition.

They had to sing for their survival, District 3 going with the Bryan Adams’ classic Everything I Do (I Do It For You).

Meanwhile, Melanie sang Stay With Me, which I confess I had never heard of, but was perhaps best described as a power ballad.

Louis saved District 3 with his vote and Tulisa also went with her “lads” – District 3.

Gary Barlow described it as a great sing off and saved Melanie, who he thought had one of the best voices in the competition.

As did Nicole, who said she had felt Melanie’s efforts in her heart.

This sent the whole thing to “deadlock”, whereby the act that had received the fewest votes would go home.

This meant curtains for Melanie, who could go home and hang up the glittery gold drapes she had around the shoulders of her outfit.

“I have enjoyed every single second,” she warbled.

I must confess – I hadn’t.