Simon Cowell has apparently been laying down the law to those hoping to be X Factor finalists, drawing up a list of songs he doesn’t want to hear.

The list of banned songs includes Kings of Leon’s Sex On Fire, and anything by Paolo Nutini, but inexplicably fails to include You Raise Me Up, or Flying Without Wings.

Other songs banned include Chasing Cars, Songbird and I’m Yours.

This week everyone is singing two songs – one by Elton John, the other by Take That. With John and Edward’s departure leaving Louis out of the running, will Dannii be eliminated with the exit of Stacey Solomon? Or will Simon or Cheryl lose another act?

Here’s what they will be performing:

Stacey Solomon
Something About The Way You Look Tonight
Rule The World

Joe McElderry
Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
Could It Be Magic

Lloyd Daniels
I’m Still Standing
A Million Love Songs

Danyl Johnson
Your Song
Relight My Fire

Olly Murs
Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)
Love Ain’t Here Anymore

Song choices for George Michael week are:

Danyl Johnson – Careless Whisper
John and Edward – I’m Your Man
Lloyd Daniels – Faith
Joe McElderry – Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me
Stacey Solomon – I Can’t Make You Love Me
Olly Murs – Freedom!

We have to admit to being slightly confused when we were told that X Factor’s theme this week would be royalty, but it turns out they were of course referring to rock royalty in the form of Queen.

Here’s what the remaining acts will be singing this week:

Jamie Archer – Seven Seas Of Rhye
John and Edward – Radio Ga Ga or Under Pressure
Danyl Johnson – We Are The Champions
Olly Murs – Don’t Stop Me Now
Lloyd Daniels – Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Joe McElderry – Somebody To Love
Stacey Solomon – I Want To Break Free

John and Edward are as yet undecided whether to do Radio Ga Ga or Under Pressure, and have apparently been rehearsing both.