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Think the reverse

With hundreds of hours of reality tv show meetings under his belt, Simon Cowell knows exactly how to play a nation - he has done it in America and he has done in the UK - every sentence scrutinised, knowing what resounds and what doesn't

Sky news is currently churning out the (old chestnut) message - Cowell will leave the country of Jedward win X-Factor

And the BBC are running this story...

X Factor judge Simon Cowell says he is "praying" Irish twins John and Edward Grimes do not win the ITV talent show.

"If they win, it will be a complete and utter disaster," he said. "I'd probably sulk for about six months [and] get on a very fast plane out of the country."

The 18-year-old duo - dubbed 'Jedward' by their many fans - are one of nine acts left in this year's series.

"I don't dislike them as people," added Cowell. "I just don't think they are the act we were looking for."

The pop impresario was speaking at a press conference on Thursday to announce his patronage of the Children's Hospices UK charity.

'Singing candle'

Cowell, who is hoping to steer one of his over-25 acts to victory this year, also had some criticism for popular contestant Stacey Solomon.

"She's like a singing candle," he told reporters. "She hasn't moved in three weeks."

Singer Danyl Johnson remains favourite to win, despite ending up in the sing-off on Sunday's results show.

"He's back on Saturday to prove he should be there," said Cowell, who admitted a meeting had been called after Sunday's programme.

"It was simply to say I thought that Saturday's show song choices and performances weren't as good as I would have expected and that we have got to dig a bit deeper."

Fans have been assembling outside the north London property where the X Factor hopefuls are currently being housed.

Barnet Council said on Thursday it had closed the road to through traffic "to protect children and teenagers who have been amassing"

Thinking the reverse when Cowell offers a position is fast becoming a decent strategy

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Rio it is

IOC president Jacques Rogge...

"Rio de Janeiro presented the IOC with a very strong technical bid, built upon a vision of the Games being a celebration of the athletes and sport, as well as providing the opportunity for the city, region and country to deliver their broader long-term aspirations for the future. This call to "live your passion" clearly struck a chord with my fellow members, and we now look forward to seeing Rio de Janeiro staging the first Olympic Games on the continent of South America. Well done, Rio!"

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Madrid actually led proceedings going into the second round of voting with their votes base of 28 holding firm throughout the remaining rounds - but ultimately, Rio was the second preference of many IOC members and that showed up strongly in the final tally where Rio prevailed 66 votes to 32

Our money will be on Madrid if they choose to bid for the 2020 games. They will be the choice of at least 20 members and can easily look to 31 international IOC friends for the remaining 31 votes needed

First round: Madrid 28 votes; Rio de Janeiro 26; Tokyo 22; Chicago 18 (Chicago eliminated).
Second round: Rio 46; Madrid 29; Tokyo 20 (Tokyo eliminated)
Final round: Rio 66; Madrid 32 (Rio to host 2016 Games)