With this weekend marking the X-Factor final and the finish line in sight, Marcus Collins leads the race with 33% of X-Factor fans backing him to win followed by Little Mix in 2nd (27%) and Amelia Lily set to finish in 3rd (25%).

However, with Little Mix enjoying a significant advantage over Marcus amongst viewers aged under 35 and tied amongst likely voters (34% of the vote each), it could well come down to which acts performs best on the live shows this weekend.

Looking further forward, asked which acts they believe will go on to have a number one single in the UK charts the most likely front runners to score a UK number one according to our panel are:

• Mischa B – 35%
• Little Mix – 35%
• Marcus Collins – 34%
• Amelia Lily – 31%
• Craig Colton – 19%
• The Risk – 15%
• Janet Devlin – 15%

With a lot of controversy surrounding the show this year, we asked fans how they thought this year’s show compared to past years.

50% of X-Factor fans rated this year’s shows as worse than previous years with the judging line coming in for criticism with 50% also considering the judges worse than previous years. It wasn’t all doom and gloom however as there was some increased support for the judges amongst younger viewers with 25% of under 35s rating the judges line up as better than previous years.

Asked to create their ideal judges line up for next year, 44% support the return of Simon Cowell with 26% also wanting to see a return of Cheryl Cole. Of the current 4 only Gary Barlow (25%) and Louis Walsh (20%) would retain their place, with Tulisa (16%) and Kelly Rowland (10%) both missing out.

Other potential new judges could see the debut of Robbie Williams (17%), the return of Sharon Osbourne (16%) and 9% backing outspoken X-Factor critique Noel Gallagher for a place on the line up.