This year The X Factor set up a very special treat for viewers: ABBA week.

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Not only did Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus join the semi-final this Saturday alongside select cast members from the Mamma Mia! films, but viewers were promised a Saturday night packed with songs by the Swedish supergroup.

However, fans couldn’t help feeling a little frustrated after watching an hour of the acts performing some distinctly non-ABBA tunes, from Snow Patrol’s Run to Bon Jovi’s Livin on a Prayer.

And although viewers saw all contestants perform a short Mamma Mia! medley, many thought it wasn’t worth the hype.

Especially when Acacia and Aaliyah rapped Money, Money, Money...

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Fortunately, fans will hear marginally more ABBA music on Sunday night, with the cast of Mamma Mia! set to perform songs from the hit film.

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Authors

Thomas LingDigital editor, BBC Science Focus

Thomas is Digital editor at BBC Science Focus. Writing about everything from cosmology to anthropology, he specialises in the latest psychology, health and neuroscience discoveries. Thomas has a Masters degree (distinction) in Magazine Journalism from the University of Sheffield and has written for Men’s Health, Vice and Radio Times. He has been shortlisted as the New Digital Talent of the Year at the national magazine Professional Publishers Association (PPA) awards. Also working in academia, Thomas has lectured on the topic of journalism to undergraduate and postgraduate students at The University of Sheffield.

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