The X Factor (British TV series)
 | This article may require copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone, or spelling. (November 2008) |
| The X Factor | |
|---|---|
 The X Factor current logo (2006 – present) | |
| Created by | Simon Cowell |
| Presented by | Main show: Dermot O'Leary The Xtra Factor: Holly Willoughby |
| Judges | Simon Cowell Dannii Minogue Louis Walsh Cheryl Cole |
| Voices of | Peter Dickson Enn Reitel |
| Country of origin |  United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 5 (plus 1 celebrity series) |
| No. of episodes | 15 (Series 1) 18 (Series 2) 18 (Series 3) 17 (Series 4) 18 (Series 5) |
| Production | |
| Producers | talkbackTHAMES (part of FremantleMedia) SYCOtv |
| Running time | 60 – 120 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | ITV (The X Factor) ITV2 (The Xtra Factor) |
| Release | 4 September 2004 – present (renewed until December 2010)[1] |
- For versions in other countries, see The X Factor (TV series).
The X Factor is a British television music talent show contested by aspiring pop singers drawn from public auditions. It is broadcast on Saturdays on the ITV Network in the UK and on TV3 in the Republic of Ireland, with spin-off "behind-the-scenes" shows The Xtra Factor and The X Factor 24/7 screened on ITV2 and TV3. It is produced by FremantleMedia's talkbackTHAMES and Simon Cowell's production company SYCOtv. The current series is sponsored by the Carphone Warehouse. The "X Factor" of the title refers to the undefinable "something" that makes for star quality.
There are four judges on the panel that mentor the acts through the show. In the initial televised audition phase, the acts sing in front of the four judges in hope of getting through to the "Boot Camp". After a further selection process, the finalists progress to the second phase of the competition in which the public vote on live performances. The current X Factor judges are: music executive Simon Cowell, pop singer Dannii Minogue, music manager Louis Walsh, and pop singer Cheryl Cole.
The X Factor is the biggest television talent competition in Europe, with 182,000 auditioning for series 5.[2] The prize is a £1,000,000 (sterling) recording contract with record labels Sony BMG and Syco (the latter being creator and judge Simon Cowell's record label), in addition to the publicity that appearance in the later stages of the show itself generates, not only for the winner but also for other highly ranked contestants. The show has proved hugely popular with audiences, with the series 4 final attracting 12.7 million viewers (approximately a 55% share). There have been four winners to date: Steve Brookstein, Shayne Ward, Leona Lewis and Leon Jackson respectively. The winner's first single is usually released around the Christmas season, in a bid to become the UK's Christmas number one single. As of series 4, each winner's single has entered the UK Singles Chart at number one, three of them being number one at Christmas (see music releases by X Factor contestants).
The X Factor was devised as a replacement for the massively successful Pop Idol, which was put on indefinite hiatus after its second series, largely because Simon Cowell wished to launch a show that he owned the television rights to. (The perceived similarity between the shows later became the subject of a legal dispute.)
Versions of The X Factor have also appeared in a number of other countries. The show has become a major success throughout the world, most notably in Denmark, Spain and Colombia. Creator Simon Cowell stated on the first episode of series 4 that "this is the biggest singing competition in Europe."
Series
- For detailed information see the Series 1, Series 2, The X Factor: Battle of the Stars, Series 3, Series 4 and Series 5 articles.
The first series of The X Factor began in September 2004 and ran to December 2004. It was hugely popular and a second series ran from August to December 2005 . A celebrity special edition The X Factor: Battle of the Stars was shown from May to June 2006. The third series, sponsored by mobile phone manufacturer Nokia, aired from 19 August 2006 and concluded on 16 December 2006. The X Factor producers and creator/judge Simon Cowell subsequently cancelled the show's contract with Nokia, and on 19 June 2007 it was confirmed that mobile phone retailer and ex-Big Brother sponsor The Carphone Warehouse would sponsor series 4. Series 4 began broadcasting on 18 August 2007[3] and the show was given another three year contract with ITV, so should run at least until series 7 in 2010. Series 5 began in August 2008, again sponsored by The Carphone Warehouse.
Format
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR, SINCE LAURA WHITES ELIMINATION THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, SHE HAS MORE TALENT THAN DANIEL, RACHEL AND EOGHAN WHO CAN NOT EVEN HOLD A TUNE
UNTIL LAURA IS ADDED BACK DO NOT WATCH THE X FACTOR
The show is primarily concerned with identifying singing talent, though appearance, personality, stage presence and dance routines are also an important element of many performances. Some acts have also accompanied themselves on guitar or piano, though almost always over a backing track. The single most important attribute that the judges are seeking, however, is the ability to appeal to a mass market of pop fans.
For series 1–3 the competition was split into three categories: solo singers aged 16–24, solo singers aged 25 and over, and vocal groups (including duos). In series 4, the age limit was lowered from 16 to 14, creating a 14–24 age group. This was split into separate male and female sections,[4] making four categories in all: 14–24 males ("boys"), 14–24 females ("girls"), over 25s, and groups.
There are five stages to The X Factor competition:
- Stage 1: Producers' auditions (these auditions decide who will sing in front of the judges)
- Stage 2: Judges' auditions
- Stage 3: Boot camp
- Stage 4: Visits to judges' houses
- Stage 5: Live shows (finals)
Auditions
A round of first auditions is held in front of producers months before the show is aired, either by application and appointment, or at "open" auditions that anyone can attend. These auditions, held at various venues around the UK, attract very large crowds. The auditions themselves are not televised, but shots of crowds waving and "judges' cars" arriving are filmed and later spliced in with the televised auditions shot later in the year. Contestants are told to remove winter clothing so that the crowd shots will be consistent with the summer scenes seen in the sequences filmed later.[citation needed] Selected candidates (approximately 140 per 9000)[citation needed] are then invited back to one or more further auditions in front of the producers, and, if successful, finally called back to audition in front of the judges.
A selection of the auditions in front of the judges – usually the best, the worst and the most bizarre (described by judge Louis Walsh as "the good, the bad and the ugly"[5]) – are broadcast over the first few weeks of the show. Each act enters the audition room, often after waiting for hours, and delivers a stand-up unaccompanied performance of their chosen song to the judges. If a majority of the judges (two in series 1–3 or three in series 4) say "yes" then the act goes through to the next stage, otherwise the act is sent home. Much like the earlier Pop Idol, many acts face harsh criticism from the judges, especially from the controversial Simon Cowell.
Over 50,000 people auditioned for series 1 of The X Factor, around 75,000 for series 2 and around 100,000 for series 3. The number of applicants for series 4 reached an all-time high with 200,000 people auditioning.[2][6][7][8] Over 182,000 people auditioned for series 5.
Bootcamp and visits to judges' houses
The contestants selected at audition are further refined through a series of performances at "bootcamp" (held at a venue such as a country hotel or an arena), and then at the "judges' houses", until a small number eventually progress to the live finals (nine in series 1 and twelve in series 2–5). Judge Louis Walsh revealed in November 2007 that the houses the contestants visit do not actually belong to the judges, but are rented for the purpose.[9]
During these stages, each of the judges is allocated a category to mentor. In early series this allocation took place after completion of the auditions and prior to bootcamp, but from series 4 all four judges have worked together at the bootcamp. They collectively choose 24 acts (6 from each category) for the next round, and only then find out which category they are to mentor. The judges then disband for the "visits to the judges' houses" round, where their six acts are reduced to three for the live shows.[10][11]
Live shows
The finals consist of a series of two live shows each Saturday evening, usually with one act eliminated each week. In the first few weeks of the finals, each act performs once in the first show in front of an auditorium audience and the judges. Acts usually sing over a pre-recorded backing track, though sometimes live musicians and backing singers are featured. Dancers are also commonly featured. The live shows are filmed in studios in London.
In the first two series acts usually chose a cover of a pop standard or contemporary hit. In the third series an innovation was introduced whereby each live show had a different theme (for example, Motown), thus increasing the show's similarity to the Pop Idol format. This format continued during the most recent fourth and fifth series. The contestants' songs are chosen according to the theme, and a celebrity guest connected to the theme is invited onto the show. Clips are shown of the guest conversing with the contestants at rehearsal, and the guest also performs in the later results show, immediately before the results are announced. (See the series 3, series 4 and series 5 articles for a full list of themes and guests.) In series 1, much was made of the idea that each performer/mentor combination was free to present the performance however they wanted, including the performer playing live instruments, or the addition of choirs, backing bands, and dancers. Future series placed less emphasis on this element.
After each act has performed, the judges comment on their performance, usually focusing on vocal ability and stage presence. Once all the acts have appeared, the phone lines open and the viewing public vote on which act they want to keep.
In the results show, screened an hour or so later, the two acts polling the fewest votes are revealed. Both these acts perform again in a "final showdown", and the judges vote on which of the two to send home. Ties became possible with the introduction of a fourth judge in series 4. In the event of a tie the show goes to deadlock, and the act who came last in the public vote is sent home. The actual number of votes cast for each act is not revealed, nor even the order (this is presumably to maintain interest in the event that there might be a clear winner from an early stage). In series 3, a twist was introduced in one of the live shows where the act with the fewest votes was automatically eliminated, and the two with the next fewest votes performed in the "final showdown" as normal.
Once the number of contestants has been reduced to four (series 1) or five (series 2-4), the format changes. Each act performs twice in the first show, with the public vote opening after the first performance. The second show reveals which act polled the fewest votes, and they are automatically eliminated from the competition (the judges do not have a vote; their only role is to comment on the performances). In series 1 the acts also reprised one of their songs in the second show.
This continues until only two (series 1 and 3) or three (series 2 and 4) acts remain. These acts go on to appear in the grand final which decides the overall winner by public vote. In past series some of the failed auditionees from the early rounds have also returned for a special appearance in the final.
Post X Factor
In series 1–3, the premise of The X Factor was that the winner would be managed in the industry by their mentor on the show. With music executive Cowell and managers Osbourne and Walsh as judges/mentors, any of the three would be qualified to do so. Following the appointment of singer Dannii Minogue as a judge in series 4, the same principle could not universally apply. In fact, when Minogue won series 4 with Leon Jackson, a new, outside manager was appointed. It is still believed that if Cowell or Walsh wins a future series then they are entitled to manage their act in the industry.
In series 1–2, the winner's debut album would be released a few months after their victory in the show. The album would contain some new material but would consist largely of cover versions. This format changed with series 3 winner Leona Lewis. Simon Cowell, Lewis's X Factor mentor and newly-appointed manager, said: "We could have gone into the studio for a month, made the record quick, and thrown it out. It would have been the wrong thing to do."[12] The success of Lewis' debut album Spirit ensured that the debut albums of future series winners (with Jackson as an example) would consist more of new material than of cover versions.
Judges and presenters
From series 1 to 3, The X Factor judges were Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh.
After some months of speculation and provisional lineup changes (see series 4 article), the series 4 judges were finally confirmed in June 2007 as Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne, Louis Walsh and Dannii Minogue.
Speculation also surrounded judging lineup changes for series 5, centring on whether or not Sharon Osbourne would return. On 6 June 2008 (six days before filming for series 5 was due to begin), ITV confirmed that Osbourne had left the show,[13] and Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Cole was confirmed as her replacement four days later. It has been confirmed that a number of other artists and managers had been approached regarding Osbourne's replacement, including former Spice Girl Melanie Brown, Paula Abdul, Sinitta, and former Pop Idol judge Pete Waterman.[14][15]
The show was hosted up to series 3 by Kate Thornton. Thornton was replaced for series 4 by Dermot O'Leary who signed a contract worth £1 million to present two series of the programme on ITV. O'Leary was not forced to leave the Big Brother franchise and continued to present Big Brother sister shows during summer 2007. However, Dermot announced that Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack was to be his last Big Brother hosting role so he can focus on presenting The X Factor.
Brian Friedman, briefly a judge in Series 4, has taken a role as performance coach and choreographer (billed as "Creative Director") in Series 4 and 5. Yvie Burnett has been X Factor vocal coach since Series 2. Voice-overs are provided by Peter Dickson and Enn Reitel.
For information about The Xtra Factor presenters, see The Xtra Factor below.
Judges' categories and their finalists
In each series, each judge is allocated a category to mentor and chooses a small number of acts (three or four, depending on the series) to progress to the live finals. This table shows, for each series, which category each judge was allocated and which acts he or she put through to the live finals. Series winners are in italics.
Key:
- – Winning judge/category
Ratings and Awards
Viewing figures of around ten million were claimed for series 2 and 4. Over three million public votes were cast in the series 2 semi-final, and six million in the first part of the final. The series 3 final attracted eight million votes and 12.6 million viewers.[16]
At the British Comedy Awards 2005, The X Factor beat Friday Night with Jonathan Ross and Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway to take the award for Best Comedy Entertainment Programme (rather bizarrely, since it is not intended as comedy). The award was presented by Ricky Gervais. In both 2005 and 2006, The X Factor won the award for "Most Popular Entertainment Programme" at the National Television Awards. At the same awards in 2007 the show won the "Most Popular Talent Show" category. Series 1–3 judges Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh were present to receive the awards.
Historically, the show has lost out in the ratings to its BBC rival Strictly Come Dancing. However, in early parts of the 2005 series and in 2008 so far, the show has rated higher than its BBC 1 counterpart. It rates as ITV's most popular program whilst it airs; the first format (along with Britain's Got Talent) in years to knock Coronation Street off the top.
The programme has typically been an awards show favourite, having been crowned "Best Talent Show" for two years. However, it has more recently lost out to Strictly Come Dancing at the TV Quick Awards, TRIC Awards and National Television Awards, all in 2008, despite overtaking it in the ratings.
The Republic of Ireland
Series 1-4 of the "UK" version of The X Factor effectively included the Republic of Ireland on an equal footing, and viewers in the republic were able to vote in these series via SMS or telephone. However for series 5 in 2008, the decision was made to discontinue Republic of Ireland voting, with no explanation given by ITV. The first series was available to viewers only through the Northern Ireland based ITV station UTV which is widely available in the Republic of Ireland, but subsequent series have been shown on the republic's terrestrial TV station TV3. The show has held auditions in Ballsbridge, Dublin and Belfast for all series, and also in other Irish cities over past series. Acts from the Republic reached the finals in series 1 (Tabby Callaghan and Roberta Howett) and series 2 (The Conway Sisters). Northern Irish finalists have included Phillip Magee (series 2) and Eoghan Quigg (series 5)
The Xtra Factor
The Xtra Factor is a companion show that airs on digital channel ITV2 and on TV3 Ireland on Saturday nights. It features behind-the-scenes footage of The X Factor and shows the emotional responses of the contestants after the judges comment on their performances.
Cameras follow the finalists during their day, and some of the footage is aired in a spin-off show The Xtra Factor: The Aftermath, which is broadcast in the middle of the week on ITV2. The Xtra Factor: Xcess All Areas is a live show in which there are interviews, games and trips around the contestants' homes. The show also lets viewers know which songs the contestants will be singing in the next live show.
The Xtra Factor was hosted up to series 3 by Ben Shephard. The voiceover on series 1 to 3 was Peter Dickson. Shephard did not return for series 4 after being upset at not getting the main ITV presenting job,[17][18] and Fearne Cotton took over as host, for the fourth series only, before leaving the show to concentrate on her career in the US.[19][20] Allegations of a falling-out with Simon Cowell were also reported.[21] For series 5, Cotton was replaced by presenter and close friend, Holly Willoughby.[22][23][24] Willoughby first presented The Xtra Factor on 9 August 2008, a week before series 5 began airing. The first show recapped on series 4 of The X Factor and revisited the series 4 finalists.
The X Factor Live
The X Factor Live is a live show that tours the UK and Ireland in the new year, following the conclusion of the TV series. It features an array of finalists and other memorable contestants from the most recent X Factor series.
The X Factor: Battle of the Stars
- Main article and detailed results: The X Factor: Battle of the Stars
The X Factor: Battle of the Stars was a celebrity special edition of The X Factor, which screened on ITV, starting on 29 May 2006 and lasting for eight consecutive nights. Pop Idol was meant to air in its place as Celebrity Pop Idol but was stopped shortly before transmission, when ITV picked The X Factor over it.
Nine celebrity acts participated, singing live in front of the nation and facing the judges of the previous The X Factor series, Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh. Voting revenues were donated to the celebrities' chosen charities.
The contestants were Michelle Marsh, Nikki Sanderson, Matt Stevens, Lucy Benjamin, Gillian McKeith, Chris Moyles, Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee, James Hewitt and Rebecca Loos, and "The Chefs", a quartet of celebrity chefs comprising Jean-Christophe Novelli, Aldo Zilli, Paul Rankin and Ross Burden.
The winner of the show was Lucy Benjamin, mentored by Louis Walsh.
It was reported on 26 August 2006 that Simon Cowell had axed the show, describing it as "pointless" and adding "we are never going to do it again".[25]
Controversy and criticism
Judges
In series 1, tabloid reports claimed that the show was fixed, after Louis Walsh allegedly cheated and tried to help a band that he had previously managed to get through to the final stages. Footage of Simon Cowell and Sharon Osbourne coaching contestants to argue back to the judges was also being sold over the Internet to the highest bidder.[26]
Shortly before the first ever live show, Sharon Osbourne claimed that Simon Cowell had "rigged" the show by editing footage to make his contestants more appealing to viewers.[27]
The show received a record number of complaints in December 2004, after Sharon Osbourne made a verbal attack on Steve Brookstein in the series 1 finale.[28] As a result, her future on the show was uncertain, but she later made an apology[29] and was allowed to return.[30]
Sharon and Louis were criticised in series 2 for tactical voting, due to an alleged pact against Simon Cowell carried forward from the first series.[31] Louis was alleged to have told Chenai Zinyuku in the second live show of the second series that she was safe, because "Sharon owed him one" from the previous show.[citation needed] Later in the same series Louis was heavily criticised for casting the deciding vote to keep Irish group The Conway Sisters in the show at the expense of the popular Maria Lawson, especially after it was revealed that he had worked with the Conways personally prior to the show.[32] The Conway Sisters had supported Westlife, a band managed by Louis, on one of their tours. On one occasion, judge Louis Walsh announced after the live Saturday show that he would quit the series, claiming that the other two judges had been 'bullying' him.[33] This included various verbal assaults on Louis, and Sharon Osbourne even throwing water over him, live on air. Louis' announcement was claimed by many to be a publicity stunt, especially when he decided to return to the show the following Saturday night.[34]
Contestants
In series 3, one boyband, called Avenue, were accused of cheating. It emerged that they already had a management deal with music mogul Ashley Tabor, who reportedly hoped to use the show in order to publicise the boys.[35] It was also revealed that one of the members, Jamie Tinker, once had a recording contract with Simon Cowell's recording company SonyBMG, though this was judged not to be against the rules of the show.[36] The boys later lost their places in the final 12,[37] though they insisted that they were not cheats.[38]
During series 4 the producers discovered that Sisi Jghalef, a member of six-piece girl group Hope, had a criminal conviction in contravention of the show's rules. Sisi was asked to leave, and Hope, who had already been selected as finalists, continued as a five-piece.
Later in series 4, 15-year-old Emily Nakanda pulled out of the show after being discovered in a "happy slapping" video, in which she apparently attacks another girl. Both her mentor, Sharon Osbourne and her family were said to be upset with her behaviour. She was given the option of leaving of her own accord or being forced out, and she chose to withdraw.[39][40]
The lowering of the minimum contestant age from 16 to 14 in series 4 attracted criticism from some quarters. Groups such as the Family and Parenting Institute expressed concern that children of this age might be not be sufficiently emotionally robust to cope with the experience.[41]
After the second audition episode of series 5 had aired, Simon Cowell vowed to make changes to the show by reducing the emphasis on contestants' "sob stories", conceding that they had been "out of hand" in the previous series and viewers were "starting not to believe them".[42]
Series 5 auditionee Alan Turner was later criticised in the press for allegedly lying to the judges in his original audition. Turner had told the panel that he had been fostered since the age of four, did not know his real parents and had been sexually abused aged four, but his father and uncle publicly disputed the claims.[43] Producers vowed to stand by the hopeful, who had been put through to boot camp, insisting that his place on the show was "never in jeopardy".[44] Meanwhile, Turner insisted that the show's editing had made him appear dishonest.[45] His mother later claimed that her son had made false claims which had "hurt [her] beyond belief".[46] On one episode, Simon Cowell was shown to have asked Alan face-to-face whether his story was true, and was satisfied that indeed it was. Ultimately, however, Turner would be eliminated at the final stage before the live shows.
Auditions
There is anecdotal evidence from blogs and discussion forums that some of the first-round X-Factor audition sessions held in front of the producers have been poorly organised, with auditionees forced to wait for many hours outside in the cold with few facilities and little information about when they will be seen. Attendees have also complained about queue-jumping, exorbitantly priced refreshments, the very short period of audition time that they are given, and the fact that selection decisions are left in the hands of unqualified production staff. It has been alleged that some of the "open" audition events are simply an opportunity for producers to get shots of large crowds, rather than a serious attempt to find talented contestants.[47]
It is claimed that some talentless contestants — described by one journalist as "sad no-hopers picked so the judges can mock them" — are deliberately sent forward to the televised audition rounds simply to provide entertainment value.[48] The fact that auditionees will have had to attend as many as four producers' auditions before being selected to face the celebrity judges lends considerable credence to this claim.
Accusations of staging
There have been suggestions that much of the controversy surrounding the show, such as the bickering between the judges, is deliberately orchestrated to attract publicity, and that some supposedly "spontaneous" scenes are rehearsed or refilmed.[49][50][51]
Legal row
Simon Fuller, the creator of Pop Idol, claimed that the format of The X Factor was copied from his own show, and, through his company 19 TV, filed a lawsuit against The X Factor producers FremantleMedia, Simon Cowell and Cowell's companies Simco and Syco.[52] A High Court hearing began in London, England in November 2005, and the outcome was awaited with interest by media lawyers for its potential effect on the legal situation regarding the copyrighting of formats. However, in the event the hearing was quickly adjourned and an out-of-court settlement was reached at the end of the month.[53]
Voting irregularities
After series 3, it was discovered that ITV had overcharged viewers who voted via interactive television by a total of approximately £200,000. ITV said a data inputting error was to blame and that they would refund anybody affected on production of a telephone bill. They also indicated that they would make a £200,000 donation to Childline.[54] This error, and those by other broadcasters, eventually led to a temporary suspension of all ITV's phone-in services on 5 March pending an audit and meeting with ICSTIS. The suspension of phone-in programming also saw ITV Play "temporarily" taken off air. ITV Play never came back, and was replaced on Freeview by ITV2+1.
In October 2007, it emerged that "serious technical issues" had resulted in viewer votes being ignored in the series two final, though it was found that the problems did not "alter the actual outcome" of the vote.[55] ITV put in place a scheme which allowed affected consumers to be offered refunds.[55]
Following the result of the series 4 final, won by Leon Jackson, media watchdog Ofcom received a number of complaints from viewers who said that they were unable to register their vote for Rhydian Roberts, despite trying up to ten times.[56] After complaints topped 1,100, ITV issued a statement which assured viewers that "Leon won The X Factor fair and square" and did so with a winning margin of 10%.[57] A subsequent Ofcom investigation found that Roberts had not been unfairly disadvantaged and that 0.99% of viewers that called couldn't get through to vote for Roberts, compared to 1% for Jackson.[58]
In week two of series five, fans of contestant Ruth Lorenzo complained that at one point during the live show the incorrect number was displayed on screen. Lorenzo ended up ranked in the bottom two alongside Girlband. ITV denied that the mistake affected the result. A spokesperson commented: "During one short sequence, a single digit was missing from Ruth Lorenzo's vote number. The incorrect number was on screen for less than three seconds, and this was accompanied by an audio announcement giving the correct number. The error would not have changed the outcome of the vote. The mistake was that the digits 0901 61 61 10 were shown instead of 0901 61 61 110."[59]
Product placement
In series 4, media watchdog Ofcom upheld a complaint that The Xtra Factor had inappropriately featured close-up shots of the products of then sponsor Nokia.[60]
Music releases by X Factor contestants
Singles
Several singles released by contestants in The X Factor have reached the top twenty in the UK Singles Chart, six of them reaching number one. Following the release of Leona Lewis' single "Bleeding Love", the series 3 winner became the most successful contestant from the show, with the song reaching the number one spot in 34 countries around the world, including on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US. Though other contestants have also had chart success, only Leona Lewis has achieved any significant success on an international scale. Shayne Ward has also had chart success in parts of Asia and South Africa plus top ten singles in Denmark and the Czech Republic in 2008.
Three winners' singles in a row have achieved the Christmas number one spot: "That's My Goal" (Shayne Ward), "A Moment Like This" (Leona Lewis) and "When You Believe" (Leon Jackson).
Albums
This first list only includes contestants with at least one certified album, and the totals do not include pre-X-Factor recordings, digital-only albums or EPs.
Gold, Platinum, and/or Multi-Platinum (UK Sales Only)
| Former Contestant Total Sales |
Debut Album | Second Album | Third Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Leona Lewis (Series 3 winner) 2,000,000 |
Spirit (9 November 2007) Sony BMG 2,000,000 6x Platinum[64] Peak: #1 |
||
| 2. | G4 (Series 1, Runner-Up) 1,500,000 |
G4 (28 February 2005) Sony BMG 800,000 2x Platinum[65] Peak: #1 |
G4 & Friends (28 November 2005) Sony BMG 400,000 Platinum[66] Peak: #6 |
Act Three (27 November 2006) Sony BMG 300,000 Platinum[67] Peak: #21 |
| 3. | Shayne Ward (Series 2, Winner) 980,000 |
Shayne Ward (17 April 2006) Sony BMG 510,000 Platinum[68] Peak: #1 |
Breathless (26 November 2007) Sony BMG 470,000 Platinum Peak: #2 |
|
| 4. | Journey South (Series 2, 3rd Place) 440,000 |
Journey South (20 March 2005) Sony BMG 410,000 Platinum[69] Peak: #1 |
Home (22 October 2007) Anca 30,000 N/A Peak: #43 |
|
| 5. | Andy Abraham (Series 2, Runner-Up) 353,000 |
The Impossible Dream (20 March 2006) Sony BMG 300,000 Platinum[70] Peak: #2 |
Soul Man (13 November 2006) Sony BMG 50,000 N/A Peak: #19 |
Even If (2 June 2008) Pinnacle Records 3,000 N/A Peak: Failed To Chart |
| 6. | Steve Brookstein (Series 1, Winner) 257,000 |
Heart and Soul (9 May 2005) Sony BMG 250,000 Gold[71] Peak: #1 |
40,000 Things (9 October 2006) Numunu Records 7,000 N/A Peak: #165 |
|
| 7. | Ray Quinn (Series 3, Runner-Up) 215,000 |
Ray Quinn (12 March 2007) Sony BMG 215,000 Gold Peak: #1 |
||
| 8. | Ben Mills (Series 3, 3rd Place) 133,000 |
Picture of You (12 March 2007) Sony BMG 133,000 Gold Peak: #3 |
A comprehensive list of other X Factor alumni album sales reflects the fact that commercial success can be achieved through association with The X Factor and with post-X-Factor promotion, although the degree of success varies considerably. (This list only includes contestants who have no certified albums and again does not include pre-X-Factor recordings):
| Former Contestant | Total Sales | Albums | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9. | The MacDonald Brothers (Series 3, 4th Place) |
25,000 |
|
| 10. | Maria Lawson (Series 2, 8th Place) |
19,000 |
|
| 11. | Rowetta Satchell (Series 1, 4th Place) |
10,000 |
|
Merchandise
- The X Factor Revealed The Greatest Auditions Ever (Series 1 DVD)
- The X Factor Greatest Auditions Ever (Series 2 DVD)
- The X Factor Revealed (Series 3 DVD)
- Access All Areas (Book)
- Interactive DVD Game
- The X Factor Chocolate Board Game
- The X Factor Sing (Karaoke Game)
- The X Factor Top Trumps (Released November 2008)
Transmissions
Series
Exact dates for The X Factor series 6 and 7 are as yet unknown. Series 5 began on Saturday 16 August 2008.
| Series | Start date | End date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4 September 2004 | 11 December 2004 |
| 2 | 20 August 2005 | 17 December 2005 |
| 3 | 19 August 2006 | 16 December 2006 |
| 4 | 18 August 2007 | 15 December 2007 |
| 5 | 16 August 2008 | 13 December 2008 |
| 6 | 15 August 2009 | TBA |
| 7 | TBA | TBA |
Specials
| Series | Start date | End date |
|---|---|---|
| Battle of the Stars | 29 May 2006 | 5 June 2006 |
References
- ^ "£20m Si scoops highest TV deal". The Sun. 18 December 2006. Retrieved 2007-12-24.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ a b "The auditions begin..." The X Factor. 20 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-21.
- ^ "Britain's best TV listings, storylines, news and video from soaps like EastEnders". What's On TV. 31 July 2007. Retrieved 2007-07-31.
- ^ "Dannii Minogue 2007 interview". YouTube RELEVANT SECTION FROM 3:08. 16 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Walsh's charm factor", Whitby Gazette, 30 October 2007
- ^ "All change as The X Factor returns". BBC News. 17 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-18.
- ^ "Wannabes line up for X Factor auditions". Daily Mail. 17 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-18.
- ^ "150,000 wannabes apply for X Factor". thelondonpaper. 18 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-18.
- ^ "Walsh's X Factor house 'not his'", BBC News, 11 October 2007
- ^ "The X Factor - About the show". The X Factor. 17 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
- ^ "Cowell: 'X Factor' judges are out of sync'". Digital Spy. 16 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-16.
- ^ "Cowell defends Lewis' chart absence". Digital Spy. 16 August 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-22.
- ^ "Sharon leaves The X Factor". ITV. 6 June 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-06.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Cheryl joins The X Factor". ITV. 10 June 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Cheryl is the new judge!". ITV. 10 June 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "The X Factor final is a rating winner", talkbackTHAMES
- ^ "Ben Shephard Exits X Factor". The Sun. 2 May 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-02.
- ^ "Ben Shephard leaves Xtra Factor". The Daily Mirror. 2 May 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-02.
- ^ "Cotton quits X Factor role for US". Digital Spy. 6 February 2008. Retrieved 2007-05-09.
- ^ "Fearne Cotton to host Xtra Factor". The Sun. 9 May 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-09.
- ^ "TV Holly Willoughby's nice F-earner", News of The World
- ^ "Holly to host ITV2's Xtra Factor". Daily Mirror. 4 June 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-04.
- ^ "Holly has Xtra Factor". The Sun. 4 June 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-04.
- ^ "Holly Willoughby to present 'Xtra Factor'". Digital Spy. 4 June 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-04.
- ^ "Simon scraps Celeb X Factor", The Sun, August 26, 2006
- ^ "'X Factor' judge accused of cheating", Digital Spy
- ^ "Osbourne brands Cowell "f*****g w****r"", Digital Spy
- ^ "Sharon Osbourne facing 'X Factor' axe?", Digital Spy
- ^ "Osbourne apologises for 'X Factor' rant", Digital Spy
- ^ " Osbourne to return for 'X Factor 2'", Digital Spy
- ^ "The axe factor for Cowell", The People
- ^ "X-Factor Maria's agony", The Sun
- ^ [1] Louis Quits X Factor? Digital Spy
- ^ [2] Louis agrees comeback deal http://www.digitalspy.co.uk
- ^ [3] Simon and Louis Have Been Duped, They're Livid Daily Mirror
- ^ [4] 'X Factor' boyband cause more controversy Digital Spy
- ^ [5] X-Factor Boyband Dumped Daily Mirror
- ^ [6] Axed, but boyband Avenue insist they're not cheatsDaily Mirror
- ^ "Emily axed from the X Factor", The Sun, 3 November 2007
- ^ http://uk.news.yahoo.com/pressass/20071102/ten-x-factor-emily-quits-over-attack-5f8abb3_1.html
- ^ "X Factor children will risk Cowell barbs", The Times, March 12, 2007
- ^ "X Factor: Simon Cowell says stop all the sobbing". Sunday Mirror. 24 August 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "X Factor hopeful exposed as a fake". Daily Mirror. 26 August 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "X Factor denies contestant claims". BBC News. 27 August 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "X Factor faker Alan Turner talks to the Mirror". Daily Mirror. 28 August 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Fostered?! He did kareoke with us a few weeks ago". The People. 31 August 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-31.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ See, for example, [7], [8]
- ^ "The Fix Factor: Just how real is Simon Cowell's hit show?". Daily Mail, 29th September 2007
- ^ "G4: X Factor is just panto", The Sun, 25 Nov 2006
- ^ "The Fix Factor: Just how real is Simon Cowell's hit show?", Daily Mail
- ^ ITV admits staging X Factor shots, BBC News, 15 August 2007
- ^ "X Factor copyright case adjourned", BBC News, retrieved 15 May 2007
- ^ "X Factor copyright case settled", BBC News, retrieved 15 May 2007
- ^ "Reality Show Rip-Off". Sky News. 28 February 2007. Retrieved 2007-02-28.
- ^ a b "'X Factor' final hit by phone scandal, Digital Spy
- ^ "Watchdog looks into X Factor vote", BBC News, 17 December 2007, retrieved 2007-12-17 — Many fans believe that the contest was somehow rigged to the benefit of Leon Jackson. Though unproven, there were 'apparently' thousands of votes that were not properly counted.
- ^ "ITV defends Leon's 'X Factor' win, Digital Spy
- ^ "Ofcom Broadcast Bulletin, Issue number 108, 8 May 2008" (PDF).
- ^ http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/xfactor/a133440/x-factor-bosses-play-down-phone-error.html
- ^ Nokia drops X Factor sponsorship, BBC News, 10 May 2007
- ^ "That's My Goal". BPI. 2006-01-13. Retrieved 2008-01-06.
- ^ "A Moment Like This". BPI. 2007-01-05. Retrieved 2008-01-06.
- ^ "Bleeding Love". BPI. 2008-01-18. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
- ^ Platinum Awards Content
- ^ "G4". BPI. 2005-03-25. Retrieved 2008-01-06.
- ^ "G4 & Friends". BPI. 2005-12-09. Retrieved 2008-01-06.
- ^ "Act Three". BPI. 2007-01-05. Retrieved 2008-01-06.
- ^ "Shayne Ward". BPI. 2006-04-21. Retrieved 2008-01-06.
- ^ "Journey South". BPI. 2006-03-24. Retrieved 2008-01-06.
- ^ "The Impossible Dream". BPI. 2006-03-31. Retrieved 2008-01-06.
- ^ "Heart and Soul". BPI. 2005-05-27. Retrieved 2008-01-06.
External links
- The X Factor at itv.com
- X Factor Community X Factor Community!
- The X Factor Official MySpace page
- The X Factor at IMDb
- The X Factor at talkbackthames.tv
- The X Factor 2008 - The latest X Factor Downloads, News and Gossip Daily at xfactornews.com
- The X Factor - Show News & Gossip at thexfactor.com
- The X Factor at Unreality TV
- The X Factor Guide & News Guide to the X Factor
- "X-cetera Forums" - unofficial discussion boards
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