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How are you feeling today?
"A little bit gutted, but there's a silver lining to every cloud as they say. We've got a lot of things to crack on with because obviously we want to stay together as a group. We really get on with each other as a group and we really enjoy each other's musical ability."
You were one of the early favourites on the show. Were you shocked to be in the bottom two?
"I think it was a bit of a shock to everybody. I think even Simon was a bit shocked we were in the bottom two. He did say at one point during the show that he was a bit worried about the results so maybe he did see it coming, but none of us wanted to believe we would be in the bottom two. No, it was a shock."
How did you feel about lining up against Hope?
"It was really, really odd that the two manufactured bands were up on week three. I thought it would happen at some point. But not so early. I thought we'd make it to at least week five or week six. But obviously not. Standing there alongside them was horrible."
Groups always appear to struggle against the solo artists on X Factor. Any ideas why?
"Yeah, I think the way the voting goes, you've got people like Andy and Leon, who have the Welsh and Scottish vote, where as I'm from Yorkshire. If I was solo I'd have the whole of Yorkshire behind me, but because I'm in a group, that gets diluted a bit. Also with things like soundchecks, it takes a lot longer to soundcheck a group than it takes to soundcheck a solo artist. So in some ways they are favoured more music-wise as well. It is difficult for a group. I think that's why a group has never won."
What were your thoughts when you were told you'd be singing Andy Williams' 'I Can't Take My Eyes Off You'?
"Initially we were a bit hesitant about the song. But then Tim, Simon's right-hand man, told us that it had been sung before on other shows and done really well. But the thing is, the song's always been done before by solo performers. In the song, because of the melody and where the notes are, there's not many opportunities for harmonies. So we had to keep it to a two-part harmony, otherwise it would have sounded wrong. So I think in that respect it wasn't the right song."
Louis Walsh made some quite scathing comments about you on the show. What did you make of him?
"The thing is, that's not only a singing competition for us, it's a competition for the judges and they want their act to win. I think Louis obviously tried to put down as many of the other acts as possible. I think vocally we put down a good performance with what we were given and I think some of his comments were downright rude. And I think he might be a little bit concerned about us posing a threat to both his acts in the show and the boybands he has on his books that are in the charts at the moment. We'll wait and see what happens."
What are your plans now for the band?
"We're going to get ourselves a flat in London. We've got some studio time booked and a couple of friends who are going to help us with the recording. We're going to get our own original material down and we're just looking forward to making some sweet music together. In the right way obviously, and not the wrong way, ha, ha."
Daniel made some quite cutting comments about Simon Cowell last week. How was he to work with as your mentor?
"Simon was our mentor so he was as good as gold with us. The shoe's on the other foot with Daniel. He obviously thought Louis was good with him and Simon in his eyes was quite cutting towards him. It works both ways around. The judges are constantly butting heads with each other because at the end of the day they want to win the competition."
How much of the arguing between Simon and Louis is for genuine?
"I think a lot of the time, they have seen all the rehearsals, so they have made their opinions up on the act on the Thursday or Friday. What you do on the night might change their opinion slightly, but they know what they're going to say to each act before the credits roll on each show. But also I think there is genuinely some competition between them all. There's a bit of politics as there is in any competition. Judges will say stuff to try and shake your confidence."
What did you make of Simon's comment that Hope had more "long-term potential"?
"It was disappointing. But I think Hope are a lot better for the X Factor than we are. We knew right from the start when we were put together at boot camp, that no matter what, we knew we would stay together as a group. Whereas with Hope, if they get put out of the competition, a couple of the members really do detest each other. Because we've heard them arguing! There's no way that if they were put out of the competition that they'd stay together. Raquel would definitely be out chasing a solo career somewhere."
Who is your tip to win the show?
"In my eyes, personality-wise and vocal-wise it should be Beverley that wins. But it's never the person who you think it will be that wins. Well aside from last year, where it was really obvious. I'd really like Beverley to win. I'd also really like Same Difference to do really well out of the competition. I'm not sure if they'll win though. I'd like them to win, but unfortunately not everybody can."
Thanks a lot for your time Richard!
"Thank you. We've had a look on your site a few times you know and there's been quite a few cutting remarks, you know? On the forums, I was looking through after the first audition and it was a 60-40 split between people saying we were great and people saying we were sh*t. So at least we're in the 60%. Hopefully they'll like the new stuff we put out next year."
There seemed to be quite a lot of people on the forums saying Hope should have gone
"I think on GMTV this morning they did a survey and about 85% of people reckon Simon made the wrong decision putting us out over Hope. I think, and you can quote me on this, we are a hell of a lot better vocally than Hope. We really are. Hope have brilliant backing vocals, really good backing vocals. But you know, they are good girls. They get on and are professional when it counts, so we'll let them put on a good show."
The X Factor continues on Saturday at 6.45pm on ITV1.
