The 100th episode of X Factor has seen the 2009 auditions continue, with more of the best and worst from around the UK. This week saw more highlights from London and Birmingham, although as usual the auditions were a mixed bag of the great and the ghastly. Among those impressing the judges this week were American college student Ethan Boroian, who won rave reviews for his rendition of Kings Of Leon's Use Somebody. "You seem like somebody who really likes music," Simon said, while Louis added, "The girls are gonna love you...you're gonna go far in this competition." Others securing themselves a place in the next round included 17-year-old Dominic Harris, who narrowly missed out on a place in the final two years ago when he made it to the 'judges houses' stage of the show. This time around Dannii, his original mentor, told him he had "grown and changed since then...you would never have done that performance," she added. Club singer Nicole Lawrence also made it through although divided the panel, Simon complaining that her voice was riddled with "bad habits". The others, however, loved her performance. However it wasn't all success stories and many other hopefuls fell by the wayside - including mum Natricia Thompson whose rendition of Whitney Houston's I Wanna Dance With Somebody was described by Simon as "one of the worst versions of that song I've ever heard". And rocker Richard Green was also in for a disappointment, despite his desire to spread a message of, as he put it, "hope peace and love through the medium of music". His rendition of the 80s hit Word Up - complete with dance routine - won him little love from the judges. "I think you're just somebody who should be listening to music," Simon said, "but I don't think singing is for you." However one of the oldest contestants, 80-year-old Eileen Chapman, landed a reprieve from the judges after Simon stepped in. Having charmed the mogul, telling him "I'd love you for my joy boy," the pensioner's audition got off to a shaky start - but Simon told her to return the next day with another song. Her second audition will be screened on Sunday's show, as the audition highlights finally come to a close.
