It shouldn’t really have come as a surprise. We’ve all experienced Al Fayed’s tastes in interior design before – just think of the sphinxes and gold in Harrods.

Again, we’ve all witnessed his desire to immortalise those he loves – remember the Diana and Dodi statue? So, seeing as Al Fayed was friends with Michael, his commissioning of a statue following the singer’s death was almost foreseeable.

And yet, Harrods is pretty different from Fulham Football Club. Whereas the flashy and frankly bizarre ‘likeness’ of Jackson could have blended in with Harrods’ more flashy design, it stands out like a sore thumb at the FC.

Reactions to the giant statue have been mixed, but Al Fayed is unrepentant:

“Football fans love it. If some stupid fans don’t understand and appreciate such a gift they can go to hell.

“I don’t want them to be fans. If they don’t understand and don’t believe in things I believe in they can go to Chelsea, they can go to anywhere else.”

So, there you go. Whatever you think of Craven Cottage’s newest resident, the message is: like it or lump it…

Now, I admit she has an impressive voice, and I’ve never tried to write a song (I imagine it’s not that easy, which would explain why a lot of songs just regurgitate the same old rubbish), but can’t help thinking that we’re just seeing 2011’s musical bandwagon pick up speed.

Reading comments on an article about Adele, what becomes clear is an overwhelmingly cynical view of the music industry, the feeling that everything is orchestrated to make as much money as possible and that even her Brits slot had more to do with riding the wave of hype.

Some feel she is an exceptional talent, an antidote to the over-sexualised pop stars that dominate the charts, and seem to feel that she is an authentic songwriter. Complaints from the ‘against’ camp include the argument that material isn’t innovative, let alone ground-breaking, and that the hype is completely exaggerated.

It’s all a bit ‘same old, same old’: manufactured pop vs. authentic talent… the debate rumbles on.

Artists include The Beatles, David Bowie, The Chemical Brothers, Radiohead and The Beastie Boys while the items on offer range from private recording sessions and ‘meets and greets’ to signed albums and photos.

At the time of writing, a signed and used Hermès bag belonging to Serge Gainsbourg’s ex, singer and actress Jane Birkin, had reached more than $7,500. A Robbie Williams life-sized cardboard cut-out (?) had so far attracted 3 bids and £67.

EMI is promising to match the money raised, up to a maximum of €1,000,000 and is adding more items to the auction over the coming weeks to sustain interest. So, if you fancy splashing out for a good cause, go and have a look at the EMI auction before 21st April…

But do these shows really discover talent, or do they manufacture it? Do they really give a talented individual a career, or is it a couple of weeks of fame compared to a standard 15 minutes?

I do enjoy the selection process, as we do get to hear from some very entertaining, not necessarily talented, people, but once it gets “serious”, it stops being fun for me – and the recent run that the dreadful Wagner has had simply highlights the lack of talent searching and the abundance of commercial entertainment.

John Adeleye was the act to get booted off the show and i was shocked that Wagner stayed after his awful performance on Saturday’s show and i am sure a lot of other people thought the same.

It has also been reported today that the acts are not sure if they are getting judged on their performance or their mentor as all the Judges are being very bitchy towards each other.

Lets see what happens this weekend.

The list of winners are:

Best newcomer: Tinie Tempah
Best UK R&B/Soul act: Plan B
Best UK Hip Hop/Grime act: Professor Green
Best international act: Eminem
Best reggae act: Gyptian
Best album: JLS – JLS
Best video: Tinie Tempah ft. Labrinth – Frisky
Best UK act: JLS
Best song: N-Dubz ft. Mr Hudson – Playing With Fire
Best African act: K’naan
Best jazz act: Empirical
Best gospel act: Guvna B Lifetime achievement: Billy Ocean

Let me know if you watched it and what was the best bit…

The final acts to go through are:

Groups
1 Direction
Belle Amie
FYD

Over 28′s
John Adeleye
Storm
Mary Byrne

Girls
Cher Lloyd
Rebecca Ferguson
Katie Waissel

Boys
Aiden Grimshaw
Matt Cardle
Nicolo Festa

It has now been shown there is going to be a twist on this weeks show and it is rumoured to be the Judges will be allowed another member/group in their group but lets see what happens.

Although Snoop has also recently received his UK visa, other American music stars haven’t been granted the same right. After being convicted of assaulting his former girlfriend, pop star Rihanna, R&B singer Chris Brown has been refused entry to the UK.

Whilst many will be happy that the UK Home Office is taking such a firm stand on visas for convicted criminals, Brown’s fans will be disappointed that his UK tour has been postponed indefinitely.

The gig in Manchester will be on September 4th with the Wembley leg being on the 11th September. For any band Wembley is like the ultimate goal, The old Wembley made legends and just through the name it means you have made it as a band to the top of your game.

Old Trafford cricket ground however does not have the same legendary ring to it, It is fast becoming a major place to play with Take That taking over in 2009 selling the ground out night after night.

Tickets will be available for around £45 which isn’t cheap but if you get to see your favourite band in one of the best open air venues in the country then it will be more than worth it.

Guy thinks he has seen something in the band which will go mainstream and make both of them a lot of money. The band is an Irish Folk band which isn’t a surprise considering Guy always has Pikies in his films!

Guy has been quoted as saying that he has seen the band connect with people and they have every chance of making it with a wider audience. Guy wants to finance them and make them a success.

Their first single will be released on March 1st.