The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent, contested by aspiring singers drawn from public auditions. Created by Simon Cowell, the show began in September 2004 and has since aired annually from August/September through to December. The show is produced by FremantleMedia’s Thames and Cowell’s production company SYCOtv. It is broadcast on the ITV network in the United Kingdom and TV3 in Ireland, with spin-off behind-the-scenes show The Xtra Factor screened on ITV2. It is the originator of the international The X Factor franchise. The X Factor was devised as a replacement for the highly successful Pop Idol, which was put on indefinite hiatus after its second series, largely because Cowell, who was a judge on Pop Idol, wished to launch a show to which he owned the television rights. The perceived similarity between the two shows later became the subject of a legal dispute. The “X Factor” of the title refers to the undefinable “something” that makes for star quality.
The original judging panel was Cowell, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh. Dannii Minogue joined the panel in series 4, and Cheryl Cole replaced Osbourne in series 5 after her departure. After series 7, Cowell and Cole both left to judge the American version of the show whilst Minogue left the show due to commitments on Australia’s Got Talent. Kelly Rowland, Tulisa Contostavlos and Gary Barlow then joined Walsh on the judging panel for series 8, though Rowland announced she would not return for series 9 and was replaced by Nicole Scherzinger. Osbourne later returned in 2013, replacing Contostavlos. Since 2007, the show has been presented by Dermot O’Leary, who replaced original host Kate Thornton. The show is split into a series of phases, following the contestants from auditions through to the grand finale. In the original televised audition phase of the show, contestants sang in an audition room in front of just the judges. From series 6 onwards, auditionees sing on a stage in front of the judges and a live audience. Successful auditionees go through to “bootcamp” and then to “judges’ houses”, where judges narrow down the acts in their category down to three or four acts to mentor for the live shows, where the public vote for their favourite acts following weekly live performances by the contestants.
All Episodes
You May Also Like
Being married to the game comes with its fair share of perks, but make no mistake: managing the pressures of trades, relentless travel, family, career uncertainty, injury, and long periods of separation in the white hot years of your life is a full time job. Meet the off-ice Captains — sexy, savvy, jet-setting women, stick handling life through another grueling hockey season. From wives who are new to the league, to those whose partners are Stanley Cup winning superstars or nearing retirement, these women form a team of their own, supporting and encouraging one another through personal and professional highs and lows.
Welcome to the world’s premier bridal salon, Kleinfeld Bridal. Part fashion show, part bridal story, part family therapy…Randy Fenoli & a team of specialists guide brides through the process of selecting, altering & delivering each dress in time for their perfect day.
Bringing audiences inside the work of one man who has truly seen it all in his 25 years on the job – Graham Hetrick. A seasoned coroner in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, this eight part series features an inside look at shocking murder cases and complex forensic investigations: while detectives search for clues among the living, Hetrick uncovers the secrets of the dead.
Holiday cookies are more than mere sweets: they are gifts, mementos of childhood, and most certainly made with pride. In this Christmas Cookie Challenge hosted by Jonathan Bennett, five confident and daring bakers compete to prove their holiday cookie-making skills. Tough-love judges Duff Goldman, Damaris Phillips, and Sherry Yard are on hand to crown the holiday cookie master, who will go home with a $10,000 prize!
Four of “Ink Master” Season 8’s top female competitors – Ryan Ashley, Kelly Doty, Nikki Simpson and Gia Rose – travel the country and go head to head with some of America’s most talented tattoo artists. Competitors face a variety of tattoo-based challenges to see who has what it takes to beat the “Angels” and earn a spot on Season 10 of “Ink Master”
A cast of young women, who recognize that their outrageous behavior has hindered their relationships, careers and lives, are brought together in a beautiful mansion. They claim they want to change, but will living together help them move forward and turn their lives around – or will chaos rule?
Guy Fieri is heading out on an epic trip with his wife and sons, making stops across America with plenty of eats along the way.
After high school graduation, “Laguna Beach” alumna Lauren sets out to live on her own in Los Angeles and work as an intern at Teen Vogue.
Four Weddings is a lifestyle reality game show that has aired on Sky Living since 6 July 2009.
A one-hour reality series that follows 20-year old Tyler Henry, exploring the world of this self-proclaimed clairvoyant medium as he balances his unique abilities with trying to be a regular young adult. Formerly of a small-town and now living in the City of Angels, Tyler has quickly become one of Hollywood’s top mediums, bringing messages from the heavens and profound visions to today’s stars.
Set in the nation’s largest full service bridal salon, viewers go behind the scenes at Bridal’s by Lori to see what each bride goes through to find the perfect wedding dress. Particular, fashionable and strong willed, these Southern brides keep the staff on their toes to make sure they get exactly what they want for one of the most important days of their life.
