Concerns: X Factor semi-finalist Matt Cardle was unable to perform at a secret gig put on by the show's sponsor Talktalk last night because he had lost his voice
One Direction star Zain Malik also forced to pull out for 'personal reasons' X Factor favourite Matt Cardle sparked fears for his health ahead of the semi-finals when he pulled out of a secret official gig last night.
All the contestants remaining in the show performed at the concert for TalkTalk competition winners in London.
But 27-year-old Mr Cardle was unable to perform and could barely speak.
Together: They performed at the Hospital Club in Soho, London, from left, Matt, Mary Byrne, Rebecca Ferguson, Cher Lloyd and four fifths of One Direction, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles and Niall Horan
He attended the event but admitted he was unable to sing - saying he had lost his voice.
He said: 'Everything has been feeling poorly recently. 'I was recording earlier and it was getting very painful, so I can't sing tonight.
Thumbs up: Cher and Rebecca pose for photographs at the special secret gig put on for a small crowd
'I just have to hope it gets better for the weekend.
'There is not much else I can do.'
The show faced a further blow after it emerged Zain Malik, 17, from One Direction, also pulled out of performing and did not even attend.
Insiders said it was for personal reasons but ruled out a death or a serious injury in the family.
Five become four: One Direction were one down after Zain Malik had to rush home for 'personal reasons'
No show: Zain, pictured on Tuesday, and right Dublin contestant Mary Byrne
It is understood he rushed home to see his family in Bradford.
A show spokesman declined to comment.
Mr Malik's bandmates in One Direction did not want to discuss the problem.
Talent: Rebecca belts out a number on stage, wearing a sparkly black dress and, right, Cher gives it some attitude
Liam Payne said: 'Zayn has got some personal problems so he is not here right now. 'We can't elaborate but we hope he is going to be ok.'
The contestants all sang at the Hospital club in Soho, London, last night.
A show source said: 'Matt is in a bad way and is trying to put a brave face on it.
If things don't improve he is going to really struggle for the semi-final and it could ruin his chances.'
Time for a wash: Stacey Solomon takes to the jungle pool in a pink bikini after taking part in another gruesome Bushtucker trial
Stacey Solomon was certainly in need of a good wash following her latest bug-infested Bushtucker trail.
And the 21-year-old mother of one certainly didn't waste any time stripping down to her pink bikini for a rinse down after her gruelling ordeal.
The former X Factor contestant appropriately took part in the challenge 'Star In Their Pies', a play on the singing talent show Star In Their Eyes.
But the usually plucky camper performed only managed to retrieve three out of the six stars available.
For the challenge, Stacey was sat in a giant pie base and was transported along a conveyor belt factory line, while disgusting things were slopped in
The singer had to search for stars in among the ingredients which included offal, meal worms, cockroaches and vegetables.
'Get me in the pie, I’m really excited, let’s do it,' she cried.
Yuck: Earlier she took part in the Stars In Their Pies challenge which saw her have to retrieve stars from a giant pie as all manner of bugs were poured in
As she sat in the pie the first challenge was to empty three bags containing meat and offal into the pie.
But as she opened one bag the star fell to the outside of the crust which mean she could only now get five of the six available stars.
She was transported on the moving tracks around the factory to a vegetable tip containing cockroaches and crickets in among the veggies but she managed to get the star.
Brace yourself: Stacey gets a blast of jungle nasties as she takes part in the trial, winning three out of a possible six stars
Foul: Goo comes flowing in out of pipe as Stacey desperately searches around
At the third station she had to unscrew the end of a tube and meal worms and cockroaches poured down but she managed to pluck out the star giving her two out of six.
'I’ll never eat pie again', she squealed. She then had pepper blown through a wind tunnel at her.
Ant said: 'You’ve now got to have a bit of gravy with your pie, we are northern and we love a bit of gravy.'
As the glutinous gravy poured down the chute, Stacey managed to grab another star.
Close call: Stacey tried to bite hold of a star but failed, despite later commenting she had a 'big enough mouth'
No pie is worth its salt without a crust and the topping was lowered on to the base and Stacey was told she could not use her hands but had to get the final two stars using only her mouth.
An egg glaze showered down on her and Stacey complained it stank. She ran out of time getting the first star and then used her hand to put the second star in her mouth which therefore didn’t count.
'I just couldn’t get the stars in my mouth, I know you were thinking she’s got a big enough mouth why couldn’t she get it in,' she said to Ant and Dec.
Closed in: At the end of a trial a huge pie lid was lowered on top, meaning Stacey was not allowed to use her hands and had to try to retrieve the stars with her mouth
'I’m gutted to only get three stars, I might as well just go and kill myself!' She told her fellow celebrities on returning to camp: 'It wasn’t hard, I was just poo.
'I thought it would be a piece of cake but it just went past my face… it was so disgusting. I thought ‘thank your daddy for the big teeth and big mouth’ but they didn’t come in handy.'
Just good friends? Miss Cole is said to be moving to LA to be close to Derek Hough
She is on the brink of making a fresh start in America following a tumultuous year.
But to ensure she can really put the past behind her, Cheryl Cole is moving out of the £6million Surrey mansion she shared with her former husband Ashley Cole.
The plan is to move to the States to be nearer to her increasingly close friend, dancer Derek Hough
His family have claimed the pair are ‘in love’ but Miss Cole has repeatedly refused to discuss their friendship.
Despite rumours that Miss Cole, 27, planned to sell the property in Hurtmore, Surrey, her ex-husband is, in fact, to move back in.
A source close to the footballer told the Mail: ‘Ashley and Cheryl have come to an agreement. Ashley will keep the house as part of the final financial settlement.
‘Cheryl has said that she wants to buy a pad in town – but obviously she is making plans to buy a property in Los Angeles.’
Happier times: the couple before they split over Cole's alleged infidelities
The house, which the couple bought in 2007, boasts nine bedrooms, four bathrooms and garage space for ten cars as well as a tennis court and swimming pool.
Cole moved out after the couple’s split in February – but is keen to get home after his bachelor pad was burgled in September.
Marital home: Ashley Cole will move back into the Surrey mansion
The friend continued: ‘There is no dispute regarding anything between Cheryl and Ashley. Despite the gossips, the financial discussions have been very amicable.’
Me too: Cheryl Cole's mother Joan Callaghan is set to join her in the U.S.
As the Mail revealed this week, Miss Cole was thrilled after learning she had scooped a judging role alongside close friend Simon Cowell on the American X Factor.
The star was told the news on Saturday night after U.S. TV executives from Fox came to watch her in the studio.
Music mogul Cowell, 51, has said he will unveil the judging line-up next month. Only then will Miss Cole start house hunting in the States with the help of her mother Joan Callaghan, who plans to go with her.
Although Miss Cole and Hough refuse to discuss the exact nature of their relationship, the singer has praised the 25-year-old dancer as an ‘amazing, amazing person’.
Hough’s stepfather Aaron Nelson confirmed Miss Cole was looking at moving to LA. He said: ‘She came over to see him a few weeks ago. I can say that when you love someone you want to be around them.’
However, Miss Cole’s past could come back to haunt her. The singer, who was found guilty of actual bodily harm seven years ago for an attack on a toilet attendant, could find herself unable to obtain a U.S. visa.
Despite this, it is thought that lawyers will be able to ‘make things work’, according to an X Factor source.
Top of her game: With fellow X-Factor judges Louis Walsh, left, Danni Minogue and Simon Cowell
Ice queen: Katy Perry was wearing her sparkly silver Christmas fairy dress as she rehearsed for the Grammy Nominations Concert at Nokia Plaza in Los Angeles last night
She's been on top of the world since marrying Russell Brand in October - but Katy Perry looked more suited for the top of a Christmas tree when she was rehearsing for the Grammy nominations live show in Los Angeles last night.
The 26-year-old Fireworks star was wearing a tight silver frock with tutu, embellished with a hat made of festive baubles pinned in her hair, played the show at Nokia Plaza in downtown Los Angeles.
The show will be broadcast live tonight in the U.S. on CBS and is also set to feature performances from Selena Gomez, David Grohl and Stevie Wonder.
Deck the halls: Katy was wearing a matching silver hat made of baubles balanced on a giant snowflake
Katy will be hoping to add to her good fortune with a few nominations as an early Christmas gift - she's been nominated twice before for a prestigious Grammy but has yet to win.
The fact she's playing the nominations show is certainly a good sign - most performers at the concert have received nominations. The actual awards ceremony takes place at LA's Staples Center on 13 February.
Dress rehearsal: Katy will be hoping for a Grammy nomination when the show takes place for real tonight
Christmas fair: The extravagant set at the open air Nokia Plaza in Los Angeles features a helter skelter
Also likely to get nods for their albums are Eminem, Sade, Usher and Arcarde Fire. Katy meanwhile is certainly getting into the spirit of the season - she's guest starring in a special festive edition of The Simpsons.
Rather than appear in cartoon form though, Katy has filmed a live action segment with puppets, in a sly dig at Sesame Street, who dumped her scenes filmed with Elmo earlier this year due to her overly revealing dress.
The episode has been described as 'an edgy, dysfunctional Christmas with the Simpsons with some disturbing twists.'
Katy will also lead Homer, Bart and the whole Simpsons clan in a rendition of 'the 39 Days of Christmas.'
No turkey: Despite her tin foil-looking dress, Katy will be hoping for at least one Grammy nomination for her album Teenage Dream
Top of the world: Katy reaches for the sky in her Christmas fairy outfit as her gift-wrapped backing dancers throw some festive moves around her
I'm with the band: The Firework singer rehearsed her Grammy nominations show with full musical backing
In the special Christmas edition of the Simpsons, she first takes to the screen as the girlfriend of Elmo.
However, she dumps him and is seen flirting with nuclear plant owner Mr Burns - but apparently it's bartender Moe who's really caught her eye.
It's being premiered in the U.S. on December 5.
Producer Al Jean couldn't resist a tongue-in-cheek statement, declaring: 'In the wake of Elmo’s terrible betrayal, the Simpsons puppets wish to announce they stand felt-shoulder-to-shoulder with Katy Perry.'
Festive : Kylie Minogue wore a huge white coat and leather knee high boots for the lighting of the Christmas tree at the Rockefeller Center in New York
New York's Rockefeller Center looked like a true winter wonderland, and pop star Kylie Mingoue fitted right in with her snow queen inspired outfit.
The singer was among a host of stars who turned out for the annual lighting of the Christmas Christmas tree in the Big Apple.
Mariah Carey, Jessica Simpson, Sheryl Crow, Katherine Jenkins, and Susan Boyle all performed at the event.
Holiday spirit: The singer performed Santa Baby at the ceremony, which was watched by 50,000 people live in New York City
Mariah Carey kicked off the show singing Oh Santa while Kylie performed Santa Baby and Let It Snow in front of more than 50,000 people who watched the event live.
Jessica Simpson sang I'll Be Home For Christmas and Britain's Got Talent runner-up Susan Boyle performed a haunting version of Away In A Manger backed by a children's choir.
Classical singer Katherine Jenkins appeared to put glamour ahead of warmth, choosing a sleeveless black satin frock while the other performers wrapped up warm.
Christmas carols: Sheryl Crow and Jessica Simpson were among the performers
Snow angel: Mother-to-be Mariah Carey, who famously adores the Christmas season, belted out Oh Santa
Sheryl Crow, Boyz II Men and Josh Grobin also kept the crowds entertained at the ceremony.
Philippines singer Charice, who recently guest starred in Glee, performed uptempo Jingle Bell Rock.
The 12-ton, 74-foot Norway Spruce is illuminated by 30,000 environmentally-friendly LED lights strung together using five miles of wire, and topped with a Swarovski crystal star.
Haunting: Britain's Got Talent runner-up Susan Boyle performed Away In A Manger with the backing of a children's choir
Songbird: Welsh classical singer Katherine Jenkins chose glamour over warmth in a sleeveless black dress
Gleeful: Charice, who recently starred in Glee, sang the Jingle Bell Rock
This year's tree, which is about 75 years old, came from the yard of Peter Acton, a New York City firefighter and September 11th first responder.
'Over the years, people would say to us that the tree belonged at Rockefeller Center, but we never really paid much attention,' said Acton, who lives in Mahopac, New York, about 50 miles north of New York City.
'Even now, my wife is disbelieving that our tree is really going to be this year's Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.'
High note: Kylie met up with fellow singer Jessica Simpson backstage
Acton was one of the firefighters first dispatched to downtown Manhattan on the morning two hijacked jets struck the World Trade Center.
The tree will remain lit from 5.30am to 11.30pm, through early January. It will stay lit for 24 hours on Christmas Day.
Thousands of people traditionally attend the annual tree lighting ceremony at Rockefeller Center in midtown Manhattan, where police issued a gridlock alert, and millions of other people watch the event on NBC television.
Bright lights: The 74-foot Norway Spruce is illuminated by 30,000 environmentally-friendly LED lights
Christmas spirit: More than 50,000 watched the event live
Expensive ride: Scott Disick takes a mystery woman for a spin round Los Angeles in his Rolls Royce convertible
With his convertible Rolls Royce and thirty year old attire, it's fair to say Scott Disick is a throwback from the 1980s.
Not that his female companion seemed to mind as he took her for a spin around Los Angeles yesterday.
The boyfriend of reality TV star Kourtney Kardashian looked every inch the Eighties yuppie as he and the mystery woman went for lunch in Beverly Hills.
Disick, 27, was snapped enjoying the unseasonal Los Angeles weather as he and his friend soaked up the sun in his car.
They were also spotted leaving a restaurant and took the opportunity to light up a cigarette as they made their way back to the car.
But it was Disick's unusual attire that really stood out, and he wouldn't have looked out of place in the Eighties with his high v-necked cream jumper, light blue jeans and brown loafers.
Lighting up: Disick smokes a cigarette as he and his female friend leave a restaurant after lunch
Sun in their eyes: Disick and his friend turn their heads away from the low winter rays as they drive off
Disick is known for his yuppie dress sense and is often seen paying tribute to the decade that fashion forgot.
He is very fond of his suits with braces and wearing loafers without socks, resembling Christian Bale's character in American Psycho.
Disick has been dating Kourtney for the past four years and have a one-year-old son Mason Dash together.
Acceptable in the 80s: Disick sported some dated attire that wouldn't have looked out of place 30 years ago
Yuppie: Disick, looking every inch the Eighties executive, chats to his girlfriend's sister Kim at the basketball two weeks ago
They have had a turbulent relationship and he's known for his temper tantrums and violent outbursts which were made public on an episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians in which he punched a mirror during an argument.
Kourtney took her family's advice and took a break from Scott after he became violent but after receiving therapy for his issues Scott appears to be a changed man and the Kardashian clan have clearly welcomed him back.
Kourtney Kardashian and her boyfriend Scott Disick walked to a Coffee Bean in Beverly Hills, CA. Working it out: Scott and Kourtney take son Mason out for the day in Los Angeles last week
Even his mother-in-law Kris, who had vowed: 'I hate him, I hate him!' was been spotted at his side.
Scott and Kourtney also spent most of their summer in New York filming their reality show and attempting to make a fresh start in their relationship.
Yesterday, Kourtney and her sisters Khloe and Kim jetted back into Los Angeles from New York where they had been promoting their new autobiography Kardashian Konfidential.
Ready for bed: The Kardashian sisters (L-R) Khloe, Kim and Kourtney carring son Mason, arrive back late into Los Angeles from New York last night
Proud family: Aunts Khloe and Kim look on in delight as Kourtney helps son Mason walk along the moving pathway at JFK airport in New York
And Khloe and Kim looked on like the proud aunts they are as walked along the moving pathway at LAX Airport as Kourtney helped Mason, who has recently begun walking.
The sisters' book details their lives so far and their rise to fame, and is just one of many projects the Kardashians are involved in.
One of those projects recently was stopped - the sisters have backed out of a credit card deal after it was blasted over 'outrageous' fees, according to U.S reports.
Sign your name: Pen poised, Kim gets ready to autograph copies of her book at Barnes and Noble in New York yesterday
Life story: Khloe and Kourtney also met fans and signed books for fans
The card is being investigated by Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, who claims it appeals to 'financially unsophisticated young adults'.
Now the Kardashians have issued a termination notice and returned their fees, the New York Post reports.
The family's lawyer, Dennis A. Roach, wrote in the notice that the sisters are 'honest, ethical and fun-loving individuals who are kind and caring to others... the negative spotlight turned on the Kardashians threatens everything for which they have worked.'
Sisters are doing it for themselves: The three girls pose for the cameras as they arrive at the signing
Aside from work, the Kardashian sisters are famous for their love of style and fashion.
While Khloe was showing off her curves, Kourtney stepped out with a bizarre Elvis-inspired quiff.
The sisters are open about their competitive sibling rivalry, and it looks as if Kourtney is not above experimenting with her hair to steal some attention from Khloe and Kim.
It's tough to keep up! Kourtney leads the way as their promotional blitz rolled on
Charitable: Jennifer Lopez showed off her curvy shape in her signature look - a very tight dress at a charity event in Los Angeles yesterday
After giving birth to her twins Max and Emme, Jennifer Lopez took on a rigorous fitness regime to get back in fighting shape.
Her devoted fans feared the Latina might take her quest for a pre-baby body too far and lose her most famous asset, but the singer put any concern to rest yesterday when she wore a stunning skin tight dress by Herve Leger which showed off her curves to perfection.
The 41-year-old was joined by Denzel Washington and Mario Lopez at the event, held to announce that she has become the national spokesperson for The Boys And Girls Club Of America.
Curvaceous: Jennifer shows off her famous derriere as she walks to take her place for the announcement
The singer is credited with kicking off the curvy trend in the late Nineties when she bounced on to the scene with her first album On The 6.
Her infamous derriere made headlines around the world and paved the way for other bountiful stars like Beyonce and more recently Kim Kardashian.
Lopez complemented the flattering cream dress with some nude platform pumps by Brian Atwood and simple jewellery.
Quick change: Jennifer Lopez started off in a warm brown coat dress which she later whipped off to reveal a stunning white mini dress yesterday in Los Angeles
Her long thick glossy chestnut and gold coloured hair was styled to perfection, falling in waves around her shoulders.
The newly appointed American Idol judge appeared to be in great spirits, laughing and joking around and grinning from ear to ear as she posed with Denzel and Mario, and later on with a bunch of excited children from the Boys and Girls Club.
Lopez will be joining Denzel as the club's joint spokesperson, the first time they have appointed two people into the role in the organization's 104-year history.
All smiles: Lopez happily posed between Mario Lopez (L) who was filming for his TV show Extra and joint spokesperson Denzel Washington (R)
Giving back: Lopez was a member of the Kips Bay club in the Bronx and learned to sing and dance as part of the club's K Company performing arts program
Denzel has been a tireless active advocate for the non-profit since his appointment in 1992, appearing regularly in billboard ads, filming PSAs and fundraising on the organization's behalf.
The 55-year-old has participated in five national advertising campaigns, has served as an active member of BGCA's Board of Governors since 1996, appeared before Congressional leaders on Capitol Hill, and wrote a book about mentorship - A Hand To Guide Me - with proceeds benefiting Boys & Girls Clubs.
In 2008 Denzel also launched the BE GREAT campaign, asking more than 20 fellow Club alumni to give back by supporting the organization that helped them open the door to a great future.
On great form: Lopez appeared thrilled to be named spokesperson for the charity alongside Denzel Washington
Lopez will be the first ever female spokesperson and will participate in print and commercial ads across the U.S.
A press release for the group announced: 'By inviting fellow-alumnus Jennifer Lopez to join him as national spokesperson, Denzel is expanding this key role to two people for the first time in the organization's 104-year history.
'The announcement commemorates the 20th anniversary of the organization's name change from Boy's Clubs to Boy's and Girl's Clubs of America, marking the expansion of the mission to reach all young people in need.'
Lopez has a long history with and a vested interest in the BGCA.
She was a member of the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club in the Bronx, N.Y. and she learned to sing and dance as part of the Club's renowned K Company performing arts program.
The organization have been running an ad campaign incorporating Lopez's old membership photograph.
In the adorable picture little Lopez gazes at the camera with her big, beautiful brown eyes, her hair in pigtails, curled up either side Princess Leia style, dressed in a smart tartan dress.
Past member: The BGCA have been using Lopez's old membership picture in of their current ad campaign
Together: They performed at the Hospital Club in Soho, London, from left, Matt, Mary Byrne, Rebecca Ferguson, Cher Lloyd and four fifths of One Direction, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles and Niall Horan 
Thumbs up: Cher and Rebecca pose for photographs at the special secret gig put on for a small crowd
Five become four: One Direction were one down after Zain Malik had to rush home for 'personal reasons'
No show: Zain, pictured on Tuesday, and right Dublin contestant Mary Byrne
Talent: Rebecca belts out a number on stage, wearing a sparkly black dress and, right, Cher gives it some attitude
