HAPPY, cringeful, amusing, impressive,outrageously bad and extraordinarily good- X Factor Live was everything the TV program had been- without Simon Cowell and his judging posse.

This lavish stage production impressed with its stadium sized video screens, allowing live close-ups and replays of TV highlights, a live band, sensational dancers and everything from fire balls and dry ice to confetti and fireworks.

Acts descended from a giant staircase or appeared from beneath the stage to be raised or lowered on hidden podiums.

Bold and brash, all of the wannabe finalists from the smash hit TV talent show lived the dream- but sometimes the X Factor star treatment outshone the acts.

Some seemed worthy; others looked out of their depth and in the final throws of their 15 minutes of fame.

For the family audience this was a chance to see their favorite act and lap up the TV experience splashing out cash on official merchandise like large pointing foam hands, flashing bunny ears, glow torches and T-shirts.

A pre-recorded TV host Dermot O'Leary introduced the acts.

Girl group Hope in basques, pelmet-length skirts and fishnets singing Umbrella oozed confidence and looked and sounded great. From here it was a roller coaster ride of highs and lows.

Puppy dog eyed Andy looked uneasy and dull by comparison, whilst Alisha singing Valerie gave us a vocal highlight.

Boy band Future Proof could have been any group of lads from any street corner yet a wave was enough to get the girl fans screaming.

A high spot followed: footage of the worst auditionees -prize comedy! This was only topped when three of them - including Japanese No 1 Simon Cowell fan Totoshko, appeared unannounced live on stage to sing!

Brenda the teacher and Niki the dinner lady, could both belt out a song but the X Factor was sorely lacking.

Happiness' ambassadors brother and sister Same Difference delivered more cheese than Waitrose but the younger members of the audience adored them-especially singing High School Musical's Flying- their forthcoming single.

Rhydian made a showstopping entrance in white fur coat and outshone all others with his big operatic, theatrical voice and melodramatic persona. He put fun into Go West joined by hunky sailors and astounded us with a moving performance of You raise Me Up.

Young, inoffensive X Factor winner Leon, 19, proved he has a good but safe voice, singing Ray Charles and McCartney numbers, but will we remember him next year coming from a TV show that is bigger than its aspiring stars?