REVIEW: The X Factor Live Tour, Manchester Arena

CHRISTMAS and The X Factor final may seem like long ago but the stars of last year's show are still making the most of their journey. 

Whether success beckons for the top eight acts once the curtain comes down on the final X Factor Live Tour show later this month, only time will tell. 

But the alumni of 2016 — 5 After Midnight, Emily Middlemas, Four of Diamonds, Matt Terry, Ryan Lawrie, Saara Aalto, Sam Lavery and Honey G — certainly looked like they were enjoying every second at the Manchester Arena on Saturday.

One of my favourites acts of the recent instalment of the ITV talent show, boyband 5 After Midnight, opened the gig with Bruno Mars' Uptown Funk, which had everyone on their feet. 

Finnish finalist Saara Aalto, who I voted to win in December, showcased her powerful voice in the cavernous arena with fantastic performances including Bjork's It's Oh So Quiet. 

Love her or loathe her, Honey G was the star of the show for me. I'm all for the entertainment factor and the rapper had it in spades with her renditions of Men In Black and Jump.

Teenage singer Emily Middlemas impressed with her version of Radiohead's 'Creep' but I did think her duet of Wings with boyfriend, and fellow finalist, Ryan Lawrie came across a little awkward. 

Samantha Lavery did a good job of taking on King of Pop, Michael Jackson's Earth Song and Four of Diamonds were nice enough but I don't think I'd be rushing out to buy their albums anytime soon. 

Winner Matt Terry made his appearance in the second half of the show, singing I Put A Spell On You, One Day I'll Fly Away, Purple Rain and When Christmas Comes Around (bit strange in March). 

I could take or leave Matt on the TV show but his version of James Bond theme Writing's On The Wall, by Sam Smith, was stunning.

The finalists all joined forces to end the show with Fleur East's Sax before hitting the road for the next stop on the tour. 

The X Factor Live Tour 2017 will be at Leeds First Direct Arena on Saturday, if any pop fans fancy making the trip down the M62.