X Factor 2015: Can Reggie 'N' Bollie really win The X Factor?

Their sense of humour has been a hit with the audience, but things are starting to get serious for the double act

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X Factor 2015 final 13: Reggie 'N' Bollie Photo: Syco/Thames TV

By Telegraph Reporters

11:59AM GMT 30 Nov 2015

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They couldn't do it, could they...?

After five weeks of live shows, Reggie 'N' Bollie aren't just defying the odds, they're triumphing. Simon Cowell believes they'll be in the final, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini wants to rename The X Factor "The Reggie 'N' Bollie Show" and the public have voted in enough numbers to keep the Ghanaian duo out of the bottom three each week. Just how far can they go?

After their mash-up of Shut Up and Dance and Dangerous Love (by Ghanaian-born musician Fuse ODG) in the fourth week of live shows, the Reggie 'N' Bollie wagon showed no sign of slowing down. Nick Grimshaw encapsulated the mood when he suggested that the world needs artists like Reg and Bol at the moment.

"There's so much in this world going on that can make people feel sad," he said. "This just makes everyone feel so happy - it's pure escapism, and the energy in this room when you perform is incredible."

Week Five saw them perform twice - and they were even joined onstage by their children and mentor Cheryl at one point.

They have never been in the bottom two and the smart money says they'll survive next week and make the final. The public love them and, ultimately, it's the public, not Simon Cowell, who decides The X Factor winner.

From Ghana with love

Jolly (jollie?) Reggie ‘N’ Bollie have become firm fans’ favourites from the moment they bounced onto the stage like a pair of toddlers who’ve found the stash of Sunny Delight.

You kind of remind me of Beavis and Butthead, but you’re really funny

Simon Cowell

While their vocal performances aren’t the best, their sheer exuberance is infectious. “I feel like every day will be sunny with you guys” said Simon, who made a chart success of Zig and Zag so could easily help these guys to musical triumph. Every week we expect them to leave but the public love them…

“You kind of remind me of Beavis and Butthead, but you’re really funny," said Simon Cowell.

Back in their native Ghana, however, the duo are already musical stars. Bollie had a hit back in 2004 called You May Kiss The Bride (naw, romantic), while Reggie released three singles in 2006: Virgin, For Sale and Adoma.

Reggie 'N' Bollie cover Shaggy's It Wasn't Me - Week 1

However, if the hyperactive pair are serious about winning The X Factor(and evidence suggests they’re not particularly serious about anything) then surely now is the time for them to prove their musical chops and stop playing the comedy act.

Jumping about gamely to Who Let the Dogs Out is all very well but until the likeable pair show that they’re more than just a novelty act (caveat – they’re probably just a novelty act) then they’re simply making up the numbers.

Reggie 'N' Bollie's X Factor Journey

The cheeky chappies from Ghana might be low on actual musical talent but their infectious enthusiasm and joie de vivre has made them cult favourites

Reggie 'N' Bollie

Live Audition

Turn It Up - Reggie 'N' Bollie

Bounding onstage with their matching red pants, Menn on Point (as they were called then) promised to “turn the energy up” and, ominously, spoke of “world domination”. Their own tune, Turn It Up, brought a smile to judges’ faces and through they went. “You’re like Beavis and Butthead” trilled Simon.

Boot Camp

Unknown!

Mason Noise may have caused a stink about only getting 47 seconds of air time at Boot Camp but he hardly had cause for complaint – Menn on Point got none! But they went through, so it’s fine.

Six Chair Challenge

Cheerleader - OMI

No matching red pants this time, but the same berserk energy and total lack of self awareness as they continued their charm offensive with OMI’s Cheerleader. Cheryl “just had” to give them a chair. She didn’t have to! But she did.

Judges' Houses

Twist and Shout - The Top Notes

Surely this was where the newly rechristened Reggie ‘N’ Bollie’s journey would end? Surely the jolly but tone-deaf duo couldn’t get a place in the live finals? However, it turns out they could as their winning take on Twist and Shout caused singer Jess Glynne to exclaim that she “loved them”. It seems there is a place for fun in The X Factor after all.

Live Show No.1

It Wasn't Me - Shaggy

This Is Me was the theme for the first weekend on the live shows. And nothing says “Reggie ‘N’ Bollie” like a novelty rap song from the equally silly Shaggy. A typically hyperactive cover of It Wasn’t Me even managed to break Simon Cowell’s resolve – as well as branding them “great” and “fun”, he dubbed them “relevant”. Relevant!

Live Show No.2

You Don't Know You're Beautiful - One Direction

Reinvention Week was totally lost on the pair, as they reinvent – whether on purpose or not is up for debate – every song they cover. This time it is was One Direction’s You Don’t Know You’re Beautiful getting the R n B treatment. The judges were cockahoop. Rita Ora shouted “mash it up, mash it up, mash it up, boom!” which we take to be a sign of approval.

Live Show No.3

Who Let the Dogs Out? - The Baha Men

At this stage it seems like a hallucination but, no, Reggie ‘N’ Bollie are still in the competition and they sailed through the final seven after their cover of – what else? – Who Let the Dogs Out by the Baha Men, though not before sending white hot fear through Simon Cowell’s bowels by pretending to be doing Celine Dion’s My Heart Will Go On. Lads!

Live Show No.4

Shut Up and Dance/Dangerous Love - Walk the Moon/Fuse ODG

Ok, we give in. We love Reggie 'N' Bollie too. Another week goes by and once again the Ghanian duo bring the party to The X Factor stage. "You're going to be in the final" said Simon. "This country is really falling in love with you". Cheryl went one step further and rechristened the whole thing "The Reggie 'N' Bollie Show".

Live Show No.5

Watch Me, Azonto - Silentó, Fuse ODG/Dynamite - Taoi Cruz

Reggie 'N' Bollie are this year's Leicester City, aren't they? Surely they can't win the whole thing and yet they won't go away... At what point do you have to say they're genuine contenders? How about after seeing off 4th Impact and making it into the final four? Yes, at that point, I'd say. 'I am excited about you!' honked Nick Grimshaw.