Encore

It was an early 12th birthday present for the girl child this evening: four of her friends were invited to a sleepover, and we all (reluctant boy child included) went to see the X Factor Live Tour gig in Belfast.

If you watched any of X Factor, you really didn't need to go to the show. But then, if you didn't watch any of X Factor, you wouldn't have had a clue who anyone was.

Fleur East was the star of the show - she's a proper superstar in the making. And Ben Haenow did well, but to be honest by the time he came on I'd already lost a little bit of the will to live. The girls all had a great time, though, so that's all that matters. And some of it was actually fun, so I can't complain too much.

This photo was taken when Ben was performing something or other. It's taken looking away from the stage, because even I am not cruel enough to subject you to that.