I think we are all being too hard on the artists, it's got to be the worst and most nerve-wracking show for any of them to ever be on, many artists nerves have got the better of them on this show because it is a
critical show where everyone critiques the contestants/artists from the moment they step on the stage, it's not like singing at a gig, when you
know people have come to see you because they love you, that builds confidence, not like X factor where people will be looking for comparisons and faults, it goes with the territory of this show.
So far there has only been one proffessional artist who has smashed their performance and that was Alexandra Burke, she did really well with little nerves, probably because this was her launch pad for her career, she'd won the show and felt the support already there.
Unlike Cheryl, Robbie and Whitney who had a
lot to prove the pressure must have been enormous for all of them. I really think you can only come across well on that show if you are in a happy and secure place so the nerves don't get to you.
Robbie, (I don't like his song) re-launched his career with a song which isn't a ballad, isn't a dance song, there isn't really much to it to show any talent, IMO it was a hard song to sing in public, hence the adlibbing, it's been a very long, long, long time since he has performed with no drugs/alchohol to stay his nerves, he was at his rawest and most exposed than he has ever been, Robbie has been criticised continually for his performance, what do people want, him back on drugs, or to have his confidence built wherein he can go back on stage with no drugs at all. He is probably more nervous than ever about singing without something to calm him, and the media have slated his performance, he'll be back on drugs in no time no doubt, well done to the media. **rolleyes**
Whitney, (I'll give her the benefit of the doubt that she too is off drugs

) may well have also been nervous, her wardrobe, I dare say she will be sacking someone

not her fault at all, terrible thing to happen, but again as with Robbie she had sooooo... much to prove, can she not be human and find the whole thing nerve-wracking too, it's just not like a gig for them and nothing like a finished single and video.
Cheryl is no diva, she doesn't have a strong voice, but not many do in the charts today, again the knives were out for a good week, before she even did her turn, I sometimes wonder what we want from people. I take my hat off to her to even get up and perform on that show at all. I'm glad that Simon praised her afterwards, we all saw the relief in her face.
Truth is not many artists sound like they do on their records when live, there are only a few who can sing note perfect without all the technology. I think we should give them a break.
Happy note: Jamie was fabulous on Saturday, beautiful take on that song, he's my absolute favourite now. :-)