'X Factor' Finalists 2009: 'You Are Not Alone'

Last year's X Factor charity single, a cover of Mariah Carey's 'Hero', became the second-biggest seller of 2008 and raised more than £1m for wounded servicemen and women, so it was pretty inevitable that this year's finalists – all 12 of them – would be asked to stay late for a bit of pro bono. If possible, it's an even schmaltzier affair than last year, a rendition of Michael Jackson's 'You Are Not Alone' in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital. Just to recap, that's sick kids, a dead beloved superstar and a big old blancmange of a pop ballad.

As you'd expect, the finalists trill their way through gamely enough, with Joe McElderry's bell-clear vocals leading the way, Miss Frank sounding wonderfully husky on record, and John and Edward apparently being given the grand total of one line. Meanwhile, the fact that it's Danyl Johnson who steers the tinselly, choir-assisted climax could offer a clue as to where Simon Cowell's prime loyalties lie. Lots of pop fans will get their G-strings in a terrible twist when this hits No.1 a week today, but the riposte will keep coming back like an automated response email: "Ah yes, but it's all for..." Besides, for our money, this is more listenable than 'Hero' ever was.