Croydon's Ben Haenow gives Advertiser readers a sneak peak behind the doors of the X Factor house in the first of his weekly blogs about life on the show...
IT'S been a bit mad in the house this week because we had the ghost hunter round. Apparently the house is haunted so if we could get hold of Derek Acorah and send him over that would be great.
The rest of the week has just been chilled. We had Thursday off so I managed to get back to Croydon and see my girlfriend, Jess, and stay with her.
That was really nice, I sat around in my onesie doing bugger all on Thursday, my nan cooked lasagne and we had a family meal. They were really glad to have me back - it was such a whirlwind getting back and trying to see everybody in that time and then get a bit of time to relax as well, but it was amazing to get back and see them.
I had a bit of a chat with Simon and changed my song on Wednesday because I wanted to go for something that was a bit more me. I was going to sing You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' but for me it didn't go anywhere and is a bit of a cheesy one and a bit boring, so hopefully I'll do something that's a bit more rocky. But I can't say what!
Simon was really cool about it. He's been saying to us throughout the competition "make sure you put your ideas forward". He said to me "if that's what you think you want to do I trust you", so it's definitely put the pressure on me this week.
Simon's a busy man and has his empire to run, but he makes plenty of time for us lot to get in touch and chat. He makes sure we're okay and he's becoming more like a mate now and I can just ring him to have a chat.
With the late song change I've spent some time trying to get my head around the lyrics, so it's been a lot of sitting with my head phones in ignoring everyone else. But it's becoming a lot more like that now, everyone is a lot more focused on their own game.
And I've been getting my spray tan and my make-up done today ready to go looking all TV good.
It's not quite what I'm used to but I am getting accustomed to it. I feel naked without make up now if I go on without me lipstick I can't bare to see myself in the mirror!
When I see Jess on Saturdays after the show she says "you look good". But it's all make up - I'm still the same ugly bloke underneath.
It's been cool in the house this week but because people have started to go it's a bit calmer. People are in bed before 11pm and everyone is rehearsing a bit more.
There's more space so people can get a bit more privacy and concentrate on what they have got to do, so the energy has gone down. As people go you start to miss them and what they bring to the house, so it starts to get a bit quieter and it's a bit strange.
Jake Quickenden and Paul Akister are my two main boys because I share a room with them. They are top lads and it will be really difficult if one of us leaves. They're my boys, keeping me strong and winding everyone else up and having a laugh.
I'm feeling confident in my song choice for the weekend but as I chose it myself the pressure is on there.
I'm feeling a bit nervous too. The competition is so tough and four people have gone. At the moment I can't choose a weak link so it's making me nervous. Everyone here is great now so you've got to be really great to stand out.
I'm used to doing two 40-minute sets in a dingy pub somewhere and on here you get two minutes to just go out and give it your all so I just go for it.
