Simon Cowell has admitted he wants Stacey Solomon to win The X Factor - though only if his own acts are knocked out first.
The controversial judge lost his first act at the weekend when Jamie Archer was given the boot.
According to reports Cowell may now fear his other competitors Olly Murs and Danyl feeling the fury of a public backlash after he controversially sent the show to deadlock two weeks ago - in the process saving John and Edward.
Cowell confessed when asked for his opinion ofSolomon: "I like Stacey. She's a sweetheart.
“She's a nice girl with a good voice and she's getting better. She's going to be in the final. She's my favourite act after my own acts."
Stacey is mentor Dannii Minogue's last remaining contestant, and was praised by Cowell for her performance of Who Wants To Live Forever by Queen on last Saturday’s show.
Cowell also said of Stacey: "She's got a great personality, her voice is getting better and she's the only girl left. Being the only girl she's going to get a lot of votes."
