Ronan picks Upfront, Australia’s answer to Jedward

It must be an Irish thing.

Ronan Keating last night inexplicably chose two 18 year old twins as one of six acts he may mentor for The X Factor.

Dressed in outfits resembling school uniforms, Melbourne act Up Front have been car crash telly, even leaving sister act The Veronicas struggling for words.

Keating, who mentored Altiyan Childs to win the 2010 season, is convinced they have the X Factor.

But based on footage we’ve seen so far it’s not evident through the screen. They should have been booted a long time ago.

“We just realised like two weeks ago that we have this massive range,” one has said.

“Isn’t this show like about improving people?” the other asked.

“They can see we were shit and now we’re like amazing.”

I am reminded of Irish twins Jedward, who performed the gobsmacking “Lipstick” at this year’s Eurovision. They were certainly memorable, but for none of the right reasons.

And they didn’t win.

Last night Guy Sebastian also sent home 18 year old Iraq war survivor Emmanuel Kelly after noting he forgot his words, but picked another singer who also forgot his words.

I wasn’t there so it’s difficult to know whether the judges are making the right calls. But as a viewer the editing isn’t helping the storytelling here. H

How else do we explain why Up Front make it through when other acts have been sent packing?

Pop music thrives on gimmicks, so I guess Up Front fit that bill. They’ve certainly given me more than a few laughs. I can even remember them from 23 other acts.

Hmm. Maybe they have got that X Factor after all?