X Factor: Jay James jumps to the top of the early betting

In true X Factor style the crafty TV moguls behind the reality hit saved the best until last with Jay James Picton stealing the show.

The Royal Navy fitness instructor from Saundersfoot wowed the judges with his rendition of Coldplay’s Fix You and now jointly heads up the ‘winning act’ market at odds of 4/1 with Ladbrokes.

It was a performance that brought the house down at the culmination to Sunday’s broadcast of arena auditions.

Judge Cheryl Fernandez-Versini was visibly moved, saying “That was a stunning performance.”

Meanwhile, show creator Simon Cowell was also full of praise for the 30-year-old.

In time honoured X Factor tradition he delivered the phrase: “We make shows like this to find people like you.”

Can Jay James continue to impress? He’ll have some of our best of the rest to contend with first.

Check them out below and let us know what you think!

Our best of the rest

Paul Akister @ 4/1

Joint-favourite with Jay James, Paul Akister is determined to make up for the disappointment of failing to make the live shows last year.

The 25-year-old with the ‘liquid gold voice’ (according to Cheryl) has come back with a bang and his arena performance of Marvin Gaye classic Let’s Get It On proved he’s now a real X Factor contender.

Andrea Faustini @ 14/1

Pug-loving Andrea may not look like your typical popstar but there’s no doubting his ability on the mic.

The Italian singer has already shown he’s full of soul with his performance of Otis Redding’s Try a Little Tenderness ensuring “one of the best audience reactions we’ve ever had”, according to Simon.

Overload @25/1

The latest boyband sensation look like a junior version of One Direction and could well go on to follow in their footsteps and enjoy chart success.

Singing their own catchy creation, a track called ‘No, No, No’, the teen group ticked all the boxes and sent the girls in the audience into a frenzy. Ones to watch but will the supposed weaker singers in the group let them down?

Stevi Ritchie @ 66/1

Plumping for Stevi Ritchie would be an ambitious betting choice but you can’t deny the fact that the 33-year-old office worker’s likability alone could see him continue to progress in the competition.

We all love a novelty act and Stevi’s brand of shower singing, dad dancing and pure showmanship may well mean he earns this year’s offbeat tag.

For a full list of X Factor markets please click here.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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