It’s that time of year again when the seasons change and you know Summer is over. Maybe the temperature has dropped those few degrees or the start of the winter season marks a change or a shift in gears. Possibly the end of a Summer romance and the beginning of a new Winter wardrobe. Either way, it happens ever so suddenly and the transition is subtle.

For me, I know Winter is encroaching upon my sun-filled days of delight when X Factor dominates my TV screen, and invariably my life. I am 100% hooked. I adore watching hopefuls step onto the stage backed by the cheers of the new enlarged studio whilst judges Simon, Cheryl and Louis maintain stoic stares until they are either pleasantly surprised (I swear I once saw £ signs flash Simon’s eyes) or shockingly horrified. Dreams are realised and crushed within seconds. I also remain in awe of the fact that Simon Cowell has been allowed to copyright and claim ownership over the basic talent show formula.

What was hilarious about the latest episode was the performance of best friend chav duo Abbey Johnston and Lisa Parker, aka Ablisa. Taking to the stage to perform Shane Ward’s That’s My Goal (Shane Ward won X Factor and has since disappeared into oblivion), the two girls babbled on in unintelligible tones, told their audience to shut up and asked guest judge Natalie Imbruglia who she was. Amidst the boos and hisses, Ablisa started to argue and then Abbey from Leamington Spa hit her friend in the face in a moment of embarrassed fury. This is a shocking first for X Factor. Never before has there been a Jerry Springer-like moment wherein two contestants have argued and come to blows. What on earth were they arguing over? Abbey claimed to have assaulted her friend because she has disgraced them both. Yet, their performance was horrendous anyway! Come rain or shine, I will be glued to my TV screen next Saturday!