Niall takes centre stage for ‘Total Eclipse’

Niall Horan and his band One Direction, who met with mentor Simon Cowell at the Sony Music Offices on Monday, are rumoured to be on the verges of signing a recording contract with Sony.The five teen heart throbs made it into the final ten of X Factor as they sang their way with ease through “Total Eclipse of the Heart” in Saturday’s show.Dressed in vampire style for the Halloween edition of the X Factor, Niall looked calm as he took centre stage on last weekend’s live show, as he opened the song alongside bandmates Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson.His mum Maureen, who travelled from Mullingar to London for the show, watched on from the audience.While images were screened of the boys’ meeting and greeting hordes of screaming and adoring teenage female fans, One Direction remarked how upset they were by judge Louis Walsh’s comments last week regarding fifty-one-year-old Simon Cowell’s apparent favouritism of the band, saying it was like all their hard work had stood for nothing.However the judging panel were nothing short of continued adoring themselves after what was for all intents and purposes a fantastic rendition of Bonnie Tyler’s epic 80’s ballad. Cheryl Cole said they had come a long way in the competition, while Danni Minogue said they were a boyband doing exactly what a boyband should do. Their mentor Simon said “You’re 17 years old, you don’t believe the hype, you work hard, you rehearse, it’s a total pleasure working with you,” while Louis said he simply loved their performance. It was hard luck however for Belle Amie and Dublin girl Rebecca Creighton, who were sent home by the public when judges were left tied after their sing off against Katie Waissel. Ireland’s other hopeful, Mary Byrne, remains strong contender in the competition.