X Factor 2013

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She’s done it again! A week after winning this year’s X Factor, former prison officer Sam Bailey has gone on to score the 2013 Official Christmas Number 1! The 36-year-old mum of two’s debut single, Skyscraper, has towered above the competition all week long. With sales of 149,000, Sam outstrips Pharrell Williams’ Happy (Number 2) by more than two copies to one to become one of the fastest selling singles of the year. All proceeds from Sam’s single will be split between Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity and Together For Short Lives, and the Chancellor, George Osborne, has agreed to waive VAT on the release. “Being Number 1 is absolutely amazing!” Sam told OfficialCharts.com. “It really is the icing on the cake and it means Great Ormond Street Children’s Charity and Together For Short Lives will benefit from the single which makes it extra special.”
POSTED: 22/12/13 – Source: officialcharts.com

An average of 9.7 million people watched Sunday’s finale, according to overnight figures – the lowest ratings for a final results show since 2005. The audience for Sunday’s finale on ITV peaked at 11.5 million at 21:20 GMT, when the result was announced. It beat BBC One’s Sports Personality of the Year, which averaged 5.6 million viewers and peaked at 8.4 million when tennis player Andy Murray was named the winner at 21:55.
POSTED: 16/12/13 – Source: BBC News Online

THE FINAL – SAM WINS !
To open the grand final all of this year’s finalists were reunited and sang Roar together. The first guest performance was courtesy of One Direction. Then the final two had to sing their favourite song that they performed during the series. Nicholas sang Angel and Sam sang The Power Of Love. The next guest performer was Katy Perry. Then it was time for the final two to sing their songs that will be released if they win. Nicholas sang Superman and Sam sang Skyscraper. Next up Gary Barlow sang a duet with Elton John. Finally, it was time for the results. The winner of the 2013 X Factor is SAM. She was very emotional and thankful and sang her winners single again, and in true X Factor final style was mobbed by this year’s finalists as she performed.
POSTED: 15/12/13

The first part of the X Factor final drew its lowest audience since its launch year in 2004 on Saturday 14 December. The ITV talent show managed to pull an average audience of 8.5 million, that includes viewers catching-up on ITV+1. That’s down a million on the final Saturday last year. The show, which is in its tenth series, also trailed behind its rival, Strictly Come Dancing, which is in its semi-final stage on BBC 1. The latest X Factor ratings are the lowest since the first even final in 2004 when 8.1 million people watched Steve Brookstein win the series. In 2010, 14.1 million viewers tuned in to see Matt Cardle named winner.
POSTED: 15/12/13 – Source: BBC Newsbeat

THE FINAL
This year’s final was opened by all of the contestants singing Lifted and the voting lines opened straight away. Nicholas was first to sing with his solo number, followed by Sam and then Luke. Then there was a musical interlude from Tom O’Dell. Next up were the duets where Luke sang with Ellie Goulding, Nicholas sang with Westlife’s Shane Filan and Sam teamed up with Nicole Scherzinger. Then there was a collaboration medley of songs from some of the most memorable contestants from the past ten years. The next musical interlude was courtesy of The Killers. Then it was down to business where the act with the least public votes had to go straight away. That act was Luke so sadly he hasn’t made the grand final on Sunday night.
POSTED: 14/12/13

The winner of this year’s The X Factor is set to get a big boost to their career by joining Beyoncé on tour. Whoever triumphs on this weekend’s show – Sam Bailey, Luke Friend or Nicholas McDonald – will support the Run The World singer for the UK leg of her world tour. According to Digital Spy, the news was confirmed by XF executive producer Mark Sidaway, who wrote on Twitter: “We just supersized our prize. Winner also gets to join Beyoncé in the UK leg of her world tour.”
POSTED: 14/12/13 – Source: mtv.co.uk

George Osborne is to waive the VAT on this year’s X Factor winners single. The single’s profits will raise money for Together For Short Lives and Great Ormond Street Children’s charity.
POSTED: 12/12/13

For the final, Not only do we know that Katy Perry, One Direction, Elton John, The Killers and Tom Odell will be perfroming, but we also know which songs the finalists – Sam Bailey, Luke Friend and Nicholas McDonald – will be performing. First they’re singing a song of their choice that they’ve never performed before. Then they’ll revisit one of their performances from previous weeks on the show. And, don’t forget the duets Sam, Nicholas and Luke will getting stuck into. Rumour has it Nicholas will be singing with Westlife’s Shane Filan, Luke is due to sing with either Jessie J or Ellie Goulding, and Sam will perform with judge Nicole Scherzinger.
POSTED: 09/12/13 – Source: heatworld.com

Semi Final – Results
The semi final results show was opened by the finalists singing Signed, Sealed Delivered. The guest performers this week were, former winner, Leona Lewis and also Michael Buble. Then it was time for the results and in the final bottom two were Luke and Rough Copy. After the sing-off the judges had their last opportunity to send home a contestant. Louis and Gary chose to save their own acts of course. Nicole chose to save Rough Copy so Sharon had the deciding vote but chose to send it to Dead-Lock. So it went back to the public vote and the act with the least votes and sent home was Rough Copy.
POSTED: 08/12/13

Rylan Clark is demanding a solo singing spot in next week’s final Live at Wembley arena. A row emerged after the show’s bosses wanted him to perform in a special group performance with various “characters” from the past decade like Wagner, 2 Shoes, Kitty Brucknell and Diva Fever. The 25-year-old reportedly said he would only appear if he can sing by himself as he claimed he is more famous than the others. Rylan told TheSun, “The only one who’s doing anything is me. I’ve done so well in the past year and I don’t want to do anything to discredit that.”
POSTED: 08/12/13 – Source: heatworld.com

Semi Final
For this year’s Semi-Final the theme was Beyonce V Elton John where the contestants had to sing one song from each artist. As you would expect, at this late stage in the competition, all of the contestants did very well. Nicholas had some pitching issues on his first song but only because he was very emotional and crying throughout the performance. As ever Sam Bailey was faultless. This Sunday’s results show will determine which three contestants will be in this year’s final which will be held at Wembley next weekend.
POSTED: 07/12/13

Quarter Final – Results
The quarter finals results show was opened with the finalists singing Burn. Guests performing this week were Rebecca Fergusson and last year’s winner James Arthur who also apologised for his recent behaviour saying “sorry for abusing my position as an X Factor winner”. Then it was results time and in the bottom two this week was Tamera and Luke. After the sing-off the judges had to decide who to send home. Nicole chose to save her act Tamera and Luke was saved by his mentor Louis. Sharon chose to send home Tamera and Gary chose to send home Luke. So for the first time this series we saw the dreaded Dead-Lock. Tamera had the fewest votes in the public vote so was sent home.
POSTED: 01/12/13

Quarter Final
From this week the contestants have to sing two songs each. This week’s theme was Juke-Box where the contestants sang one of their own favourites songs of all time while their other song was chosen by the public via the app. All of the contestants did very well this week. Tamera had a much better week too, Not only did she remember her words this week but also vocally upped her game on her second song. Sam and Luke also really impressed this week. The results will be announced on Sunday evening.
POSTED: 30/11/13

This year’s X Factor winner’s single will be released in aid of two charities. Syco Entertainment will split profits between Great Ormond Street Hospital and Together for Short Lives. The charity single will be digitally released on 15 December and in stores on 18 December. The two finalists will perform their prospective winner’s singles during the live final, with the song available to download once the winner is crowned.
POSTED: 25/11/13 – Source: BBC Newsbeat

Cheryl Cole is reported to already be in negotiations with Simon Cowell over a possible return to the UK version of The X Factor. The former Girls Aloud star is claimed by The Sun to be demanding a whopping £1.2m to take a seat on the judging panel next year. And the paper also reports that she has already visited her old frenemy SiCo at his home in Los Angeles to discuss the deal.
POSTED: 25/11/13 – Source: mtv.co.uk

Live Show Seven – Results
To open this week’s results show the contestants teamed up with JLS to perform Everybody In Love. Mary J Blige performed with Jessie J and One Direction performed their latest single. Then it was time for the results and in the bottom two this week were Hannah and Rough Copy. After the sing-off Nicole and Gary chose to save their own acts. Both Sharon and Louis chose to send home Hannah so she has left the competition.
POSTED: 24/11/13

Live Show Seven
This week the show celebrated its tenth anniversary and so the contestants all sang songs from former finalists. Olly Murs opened the show with his new single. Stand out performances this week included Sam, Nicolas and Luke. Rough Copy and Hannah also did well. Sadly Tamera forgot her words for a second week and Louis made her suffer for it with his comments. Nicole screamed at him that Tamera is only 16 and he shouted back so are Nicholas and Hannah. Although even Sam seemed to take offence to Louis’ comments and defended Tamera. The results will be revealed on Sunday night and the show will also feature former contestants JLS and One Direction.
POSTED: 23/11/13

It’s the news X Factor fans have been waiting for – Simon Cowell has confirmed he will return to his hot seat on the British talent show. The 54-year-old also revealed he was in talks with Rita Ora about a role and hinted that he wanted to coax Cheryl Cole back. On his own return, Cowell said: ‘I will at some point. I still miss that, I mean that show is my baby and that last year we did which was the One Direction year was the most fun I’ve had – it was fantastic. When I look back at the clips now and remind myself about it, it was a really cool year that.’
POSTED: 21/11/13 – Source: metro.co.uk

Live Show Six – Results
Tonight’s results show was opened by all of the contestants singing, they sang the Take That classic Never Forget. Miley Cyrus was a guest performer and Gary Barlow also performed his new single. Then it was down to the results and in the bottom two this week was two of Louis’ acts, Sam and Luke. After the sing-off the judges had to decide who to send home. As you might expect Louis chose not to cast a vote. Nicole and Gary chose to send home Sam so as a majority decision had been reached Sharon didn’t need to vote. However Dermot did ask Sharon who she would have sent home and she also said Sam. Sam has left the competition.
POSTED: 17/11/13

Live Show Six
This week’s theme was the Great British Song Book, where the contestants sang classic songs of British origin. Stand out performances this week included Nicholas, Luke and Sam Bailey, although Sam did get a few negative comments this week. Rough Copy, Hannah and Tamera all did well, although Tamera forgot some of the words. Sam Callahan made a mistake with his guitar at the start of his performance however Gary had a longer and kinder critique for him this week. The results will be revealed on Sunday nights show.
POSTED: 16/11/13

Simon Cowell is reported to have signed a new deal with ITV which could see him returning as a judge on the UK version of The X Factor. The Sun reports that the reality TV mogul has signed a deal worth an enormous £150m to keep The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent on ITV until the end of 2016. There has been speculation that Cowell will return to the judging panel on the UK version of X Factor, with the US show’s ratings collapse making it look like a candidate for the chop.
POSTED: 15/11/13 – Source: mtv.co.uk

Four former winners of The X Factor are reportedly set to be “snubbed” as this year’s contestants celebrate 10 years of the ITV talent show. Steve Brookstein, Leon Jackson, Shayne Ward and Matt Cardle are all reported by The Sun to have had their songs left out of the anniversary celebration planned for the weekend after next. That show will see the contestants remaining in the contest tackling songs by previous acts – with winners Joe McElderry, James Arthur, Leona Lewis, Alexandra Burke and Little Mix all represented. But One Direction and Olly Murs will see their songs covered, despite not having won their respective series.
POSTED: 14/11/13 – Source: mtv.co.uk

Sam Callahan has revealed that (his own mentor) Louis thinks he should try his luck at TV presenting instead (of singing). Sam told The Sun: “Louis brings so much knowledge and experience. He was saying I should try TV presenting. “I’d love to do The Xtra Factor, it fits with my personality.” But he added: “My music will always come first.”
POSTED: 13/11/13 – Source: huffingtonpost.co.uk

The future of The X Factor USA appears uncertain after its ratings dropped to a new low. While Simon Cowell had predicted big things for the American equivalent of ITV’s Saturday night staple, just 3.6m viewers are reported to have tuned in to the most recent edition of the show, currently in its third series. And speculation is rife that the show will not return for a fourth run, with some reports even suggesting it could be axed ‘within days’.
POSTED: 13/11/13 – Source: metro.co.uk

Live Show Five – Results
This week’s results show started with all of the contestants singing ‘Love Me Again’ together. Guest performances this week were courtesy of Celine Dion and Robbie Williams. In the bottom two were Hannah and Abi. After the sing-off the judges had to decide who to send home. Understandably Nicole abstained from voting as she couldn’t choose between two of her own contestants. Both Gary and Sharon chose to send home Abi so Louis’ vote wasn’t required. Dermot did ask him who he would have chosen and he said Abi. So Abi has left the competition.
POSTED: 10/11/13

Live Show Five
The theme this week was Big Band and all of the contestants were accompanied by a live 30-piece orchestra in the studio. Stand out performances included Sam Bailey, Rough Copy, Nicholas and Tamera. Luke got some negative comments this week from both Gary and Nicole and Gary seemed to not give a critique to Sam Callahan at all and just said “you look like you had a great time up there, well done”. The results, as ever, will be revealed on Sunday evenings show.
POSTED: 09/11/13

Gary Barlow says the X Factor is “a game show” where runners-up often “do better” than the winner. The Take That star was speaking after 16-year-old Tamera Foster, one of the favourites to win, found herself in the bottom two last week. Barlow told BBC Radio 4’s Front Row: “I kind of hope she doesn’t win. Because I think she’d be better as a second or third, moving forward into next year.” The likes of One Direction and JLS have taken runner-up spots in prior series.
POSTED: 08/11/13 – Source: BBC News Online

Sam Callahan has broken show’s strict rules by selling his own merchandise. The 19-year-old wannabe set up his own online shop, which sells mugs, keyrings, T-shirts, and even baseball jackets with his name or face emblazoned across it, but the sneaky advertising campaign has angered ITV bosses. One signed photograph, which shows Sam topless with a Union Jack flag draped over his shoulders, costs £12, while a bright pink T-shirt, which reads ‘Future Mrs Callahan’, is £20. A spokesperson for the show told MailOnline ‘Whilst in the competition, contestants are restricted from entering into any personal commercial arrangements without prior consent.’ Sam has now shut the site down.
POSTED: 07/11/13 – Source: dailymail.co.uk

Hand’s up who thought Nicole Scherzinger may have necked a couple of glasses of wine before Saturday’s X Factor? Her hair swinging, screaming and wild arm waving led to a flurry of tweets, accusing the star of having a cheeky tipple. The accusations were so ferocious X Factor took the odd step of issuing a denial, claiming Nicole was just “excited” about disco week. An X Factor spokesman said “Nicole wasn’t drunk. She was just excited and getting into the disco spirit.”
POSTED: 04/11/13 – Source: mirror.co.uk

Live Show Four – Results
This week’s results show was opened by the remaining contestants singing A Night To Remember. The guest performers this week were former contestants Little Mix plus a collaboration from Taylor Swift with Gary Lightbody. In the bottom two this week were Kingsland Road and Tamera. After an emotional sing-off the judges had to decide who to send home. From this week if the judges cant meet a unanimous decision the dreaded Dead-Lock is back. Nicole and Gary predictably chose to save their own acts. Sharon chose to send home Kingsland Road as did Louis so they have left the competition.
POSTED: 03/11/13

Live Show Four
This week was Disco week on the live shows and dancing Dermot was back at the top of the show. The show was opened by Chic and Nile Rogers performing a medley of their hits. Sam from The Boys came under more criticism for his vocals while Abi seemed to win over the judges with her performance this week. Luke, Nicholas, Rough Copy and Hannah all seemed to impress the judges this week too. The Flash Vote has now been scrapped so the two acts with the least public votes will both be in the sing-off on the results show.
POSTED: 02/11/13

Simon Cowell is reported to be considering quitting the US version of The X Factor due to its poor ratings. The first live show of the new series earlier this week had just 4.8 million viewers – which is nearly half the number who watch the UK version of the show, despite the much-bigger population Stateside. And The Sun newspaper claims that SiCo is thinking about jumping ship in order to get the cost of the show down – and to allow him to return to the UK show next year.
POSTED: 01/11/13 – Source: mtv.co.uk

Sir Elton John has once again let rip at TV talent shows, this time saying he “feels sorry” for winners of The X Factor. Appearing on the Graham Norton Show, Elton said the sudden fame and success talent show winners achieve is no substitute for experience. “The type of celebrity that television shows give you these days, without the experience of playing live, means you are just thrown to the wolves,” he told the chat show host. “Getting experience by being in a band and earning very little from what you love doing gives you the backbone, mettle and experience you will need later in life.” The singer-songwriter stressed that he had nothing against the performers themselves, saying: “I don’t dislike the people on these shows but feel sorry for them. They win the show, make their record and the next year it’s someone else.”
POSTED: 31/10/13 – Source: mtv.co.uk

ITV bosses face a row over Lady Gaga’s racy performance of her explicit song Do What U Want after telly watchdogs Ofcom received over 150 complaints about her performance. A spokesperson said “There was a high volume of complaints relating to performance, costume and lyrics.” Gaga performed in nude coloured underwear on Sunday night as she sang the lyrics “do what you want with my body”, before leaping off stage and hugging Mrs O. An Ofcom Spokesman said “We will assess all the complaints received on this issue before deciding whether to investigate.” An ITV spokeswoman said “We do not believe Lady Gaga’s performance was inappropriate for the family audience of the X Factor Results show, which has an established tradition of featuring performances from the biggest music stars.
POSTED: 28/10/13 – Source: mirror.co.uk

Simon Cowell has revealed that he would have chosen Miss Dynamix to stay in The X Factor. Miss Dynamix were the third act to be voted out of the ITV competition after falling into the bottom two with Hannah Barrett. Following the sing-off, three of the four judges chose to save Barrett from elimination, sending Gary Barlow’s girl group home. However, former judge and executive producer Simon Cowell stated that he didn’t understand the overall decision. He tweeted “I would have kept miss dynamix. I don’t get that decision”
POSTED: 28/10/13 – Source: digitalspy.co.uk

Live Show Three – Results
This week’s results show started with all the contestants singing Locked Out Of Heaven. There were also guest performances from The Wanted and Lady Gaga. This week’s public vote saw Hannah with the lowest votes so she had to join Miss Dynamix in the sing-off. After the sing-off both Gary and Nicole chose to save their own acts. Sharon chose to save Hannah. This meant the best Miss Dynamix could do was tie with Hannah which would have seen them sent home so Louis’ decision wasn’t needed and they were sent home anyway. Dermot asked Louis who he would have saved and he said Hannah.
POSTED: 27/10/13

Live Show Three
It was Movie Week on this weeks live show where all of the contestants sang songs that were featured in movie soundtracks. Sam from the boys, Miss Dynamix and Abi all faced criticism about their vocals. Abi was visibly upset by this. Sam from the Overs, Hannah, Luke and Nicholas all impressed once again. The Flash Vote revealed that Miss Dynamix polled the lowest in the nine minute public vote so they will definitely be in the sing-off on Sunday’s results show.
POSTED: 26/10/13

Music legend Elton John will perform on the X Factor stage, according to a newspaper report. The superstar is said to have been convinced by his friend, X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne, to make an appearance on the music competition later this series. He will apparently also act as a mentor to the acts in the week leading up to his performance. But Elton, who has sold over 300 million records, hasn’t always been so pro-TV talent contests. In 2010 he said: “I’m not a fan of talent shows. I probably wouldn’t have lasted if I’d gone on one. “It’s become boring, arse-paralysingly brain crippling.”
POSTED: 25/10/13 – Source: mirror.co.uk

Louis Walsh says he is having second thoughts about quitting the ITV talent show The X Factor. The judge, who has been on the panel since the programmes started 10 years ago, had previously confirmed this would be his last series, saying: “I need my life back”. Now he has told chat show host Jonathan Ross he is reconsidering his decision. “I’m having so much fun this year, I might stay,” he said in the interview, to be shown on ITV on Saturday night.
POSTED: 25/10/13 – Source: BBC Newsbeat

Simon Cowell is furious about The X Factor’s ratings disaster– and is considering scrapping the new format. The music mogul allegedly rang producers on Sunday morning from Los Angeles furiously demanding why the ITV talent show drew in an average of just 7.6 million viewers. This paltry figure was a whole two million viewers behind BBC rival Strictly Come Dancing– and nearly a million less than last night’s finale of BBC2’s The Great British Bake-Off. Angry Simon, who is currently a judge on the X Factor’s American version, ordered ITV producers to do something about the rapidly tumbling ratings– and the controversial new flash vote could be first being sacrificed.
POSTED: 23/10/13 – Source: dailystar.co.uk

Sharon Osbourne got a carpet-ing from TV bosses for branding a female dancer “a paedophile”. Her outburst came after the blonde pretended to flirt with teen Nicholas McDonald. Osbourne, 61, whose comment sparked complaints, also landed herself in trouble for taking a swipe at ITV bosses by calling the stunt “a disgrace”. Mrs O caused outrage by saying “Who on earth was that piece of whatever next to you? “That paedophile. You’re only 16. You can’t be doing that. That’s a disgrace ITV.” Last night fellow judge Louis Walsh, 61, who is mentoring Nicholas, said Sharon had not intended to cause offence.
POSTED: 21/10/13 – Source: dailystar.co.uk

Sharon Osbourne is angry with Louis Walsh following this week’s sing-off result. The Overs mentor revealed that she feels “betrayed” by Walsh after he opted to send home her contestant Shelley Smith. She told The Xtra Factor’s Caroline Flack “I’m gutted with what Louis just said. “I’ve always had his back and he’s just betrayed me. I said I’d do anything.” However, Walsh explained that Kingsland Road had “more potential” than Smith.
POSTED: 20/10/13 – Source: digitalspy.co.uk

Live Show Two – Results
The results show was opened with the contestants singing a version of ‘Wake Me Up’ together. There were also guest performances from Robin Thicke and Katy Perry. Then it was down to business, it was revealed that Shelley had polled the fewest public votes and had to join Kingsland Road in the sing-off. After they performed the judges had to decide who to send home and Sharon and Gary chose to save their own acts respectively. Nicole chose to send home Shelley so it came down to Louis. After some very uncomfortable begging from Sharon he did chose to send home her act to which she made Gary swap seats with her. Shelley has left the competition.
POSTED: 20/10/13

Live Show Two
The theme of this week’s show was Love & Heartache. The surprise of the night was that Miss Dynamix were given a free pass into next weeks show and wouldn’t be performing. This was due to pregnant band member SeSe Foster being rushed to hospital in rehearsals when she became unwell. The group were given a pass to next weeks show as it was too late for the other band members to learn a new routine. After all the performances the Flash Vote lines were opened and Kingsland Road polled the fewest votes. They will now have to sing in Sundays sing-off.
POSTED: 19/10/13

Former X Factor runner-up Olly Murs is in line for a full-time return to the programme next year – as a judge. Show bosses think his CV makes him the ideal replacement for Gary Barlow, who is leaving at the end of this series. Olly, 29, has had four No1 singles since he was a contestant in 2009, and his infectious personality has been a big hit with viewers during the two years he hosted spin-off show The Xtra Factor. He also impressed producers in his X Factor role this year as a guest mentor when he helped Gary select his three acts for the live shows.
POSTED: 15/10/13 – Source: mirror.co.uk

The X Factor reject Lorna Simpson has lashed out at show bosses – claiming that the contest is rigged. Speaking to The Sun newspaper, the 26-year-old south Londoner claimed she was denied air time, made to look frumpy and forced to sing Whitney Houston songs. She said: “It’s unfair. X Factor set me up to go out in the first week. They underplayed me… it was set up. “They know the outcome of the whole competition. It’s prepared. It’s TV and they have to be ahead.” And the student was miffed that her arena stage performances were not shown. She complained: “It was like I jumped from the audition room to Boot Camp. Of course I sat there with my family ready to watch episodes but my arena audition wasn’t ever shown. “I had backstage talks and loads of fun stuff, even filming at the house — but none of it was shown. In all my auditions, I nailed everything and had perfect comments. “I could have been given a lot more air time.”
POSTED: 15/10/13 – Source: mtv.co.uk

Live Show One – Results
The first results show of this series was opened by the contestants singing ‘Get Lucky’ together. There were also guest performances from Ellie Goulding and Cher. The results were revealed which showed that Lorna has to join Shelley in the sing-off. After they sung it was over to the judges to decide who to send home. Sharon chose to abstain as both acts in the bottom two were from her Overs category. Louis chose to send home Lorna and Gary chose Shelley. So Nicole had the deciding vote and chose to send home Lorna and she left the competition.
POSTED: 13/10/13

Gary Barlow has confirmed he will leave X Factor at the end of the current series. He had previously denied rumours he had made a decision to quit the ITV show. But speaking on Saturday night’s show he told his group Rough Copy: “I’ve been here for three years and I’m so glad that for my last year on the show I get to mentor you guys.” The Take That frontman will release his first solo album for 14 years in November. The ratings for Saturday’s first live show were more than one million viewers down on the first live show last year. It had an average of 8.1 million viewers and peaked at 9.5 million.
POSTED: 13/10/13 – Source: BBC News Online

Live Show One
The theme of this year’s first live show was Eighties Night. All the contestants sang hits from the eighties. After the performances Dermot opened the phone lines for the new Flash Vote. This is where the phone lines are frozen after ten minutes and the act with the fewest votes will definitely have to perform in the results show sing-off. Sharon’s act Shelley polled the lowest so is the first to lose the flash vote. The voting has re-opened and the next lowest polling act will join Shelley in the sing-off on Sunday’s results show.
POSTED: 12/10/13

Nicole Scherzinger has revealed that rejected contestants X Factor receive counselling after leaving the show. The TV show judge said that those who are sent home at the Judges’ Houses stage of the competition receive help from producers. “When the contestants don’t get picked, they fly home that afternoon,” she said on Alan Carr’s Chatty Man. “They do get counselling when they come home as a lot of them are so young.” The former Pussycat Doll, who is mentor for the Girls category this season, spoke about the new chair system at Boot Camp. “It was brutal. It broke my heart. I lose sleep over this show all the time,” she confessed. “It was so emotional for everyone. There were so many tears. They had to fly home together. It’s an awkward situation.”
POSTED: 11/10/13 – Source: hellomagazine.com

The final six acts to make it through to the X Factor 2013 Live Shows have been revealed tonight. Gary Barlow selected his acts in the Groups category with the help of Olly Murs in New York and chose to take through Rough Copy, Kingsland Road, Miss Dynamix. Meanwhile Nicole Scherzinger joined up with Mary J Blige in Antigua to choose the successful Girls and picked Abi Alton, Tamera Foster, Hannah Barrett.
POSTED: 06/10/13

Caroline Flack is set to be hosting the live X Factor shows with Dermot O’Leary. The 33-year-old will help main presenter Dermot from next week. Despite admitting TV work life stressed her out, her surprise signing is expected to be announced tonight by show bosses. A source told The Sun, “Caroline will be doing links with the contestants before they go on stage and when they come off. “She’s not going to be presenting side-by-side with Dermot a lot as bosses don’t want it falling into the same format as The Voice.”
POSTED: 06/10/13 – Source: heatworld.com

The X Factor has revealed the first contestants going through to this year’s live shows. Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh selected their top three Overs and Boys that will perform live on next Saturday night’s first live episode. Osbourne selected Shelley Smith, Sam Bailey and Lorna Simpson as her final three following their performances at her home in Los Angeles. Robbie Williams helped her make the difficult decision, which saw Joseph Whelan, Andrea Magee and Zoe Devlin eliminated from the competition. Meanwhile, Walsh selected the final three boys in St Tropez with the help of Shane Filan, Sinitta and former All Saints star Nicole Appleton. Luke Friend, Sam Callahan and Nicholas McDonald will represent the Boys category and compete in the live shows. However, Paul Akister, Giles Potter and Ryan Mathie were sent home.
POSTED: 05/10/13 – Source: digitalspy.co.uk

Gary Barlow’s X Factor boyband Code 4 have now become three after visa issues forced one of the members to drop out of the competition. The foursome made it through to the judges’ houses stage and were due to fly to New York with Barlow and the five other hopeful groups. But band member Mark Wyman had to stay at home in the UK because legal issues over his visa meant he was banned from entering America. Now Ryan Nembhard, Jermaine Donegal and Jordan Lee will continue in the show as a three-piece.
POSTED: 01/10/13 – Source: metro.co.uk

Boot Camp is over, and we’re one step closer to the X Factor live shows. But before we know who’s in with a chance of winning The X Factor 2013 there is the small matter of Judges’ Houses to get through. Gary Barlow is taking the groups to New York City, Nicole Scherzinger and the girls are going to Antigua, the boys are flying off to St Tropez with Louis Walsh and Mrs Sharon Osbourne is taking the overs to Los Angeles. Joining the judges at their ‘homes’ are Louis’ Boys Paul Akister, Sam Callahan, Luke Friend, Ryan Mathie, Nicholas McDonald and Giles Potter. Nicole’s Girls Abi Alton, Hannah Barrett, Relley Clarke, Tamera Foster, Melanie McCabe and Jade Richards. Gary’s Groups Brick City, Code 4, Kingsland, Rough Copy, Unnamed girl group and Xyra. Sharon’s Overs Sam Bailey, Zoe Devlin, Andrea Magee, Lorna Simpson, Shelley Smith and Joseph Whelan.
POSTED: 29/09/13 – Source: heatworld.com

Olly Murs has taken to Twitter to confirm long-standing rumours that he will act as a guest judge on the brand new season of X Factor. The former contestant, who was runner up on the show back in 2009, and Xtra Factor host will take his seat alongside Gary Barlow during the Judges Houses stage of the competition.
POSTED: 25/09/13 – Source: mtv.co.uk

Simon Cowell’s X Factor machine is facing stiff competition yet again from Gareth Malone in the annual race to the Christmas No.1 spot. Gareth toppled X Factor winners Little Mix from the top spot in 2011 with his Military Wives single Wherever You Are. And he looks set to do the same again this year as he reveals plans to release a brand new track just in time for the festive period. Gareth has teamed up with composer Paul Mealor this year and plans for the track from new album Voices – which will be released in November with his new choir – to beat all competition.
POSTED: 24/09/13 – Source: metro.co.uk

Strictly Come Dancing nudged ahead of ITV rival The X Factor in the annual Saturday night ratings war as the shows clashed for the first time this year. The BBC One dance show, which began this weekend, drew an average audience of 8.4 million viewers. The debut put it only narrowly ahead of the 8.3 million (including viewers of the +1 catch-up channel) who watched the hour-long edition of The X Factor. At its peak, X Factor drew 9.5 million, just ahead of 9.4 million for Strictly. However, the ITV talent show had a big slump in its audience compared to the launch show last week, which saw an average of 9.2 million tune in to see the return of mentor Sharon Osbourne to the judging panel. Strictly’s ratings marked an increase of 400,000 on the first show of last year.
POSTED: 08/09/13 – Source: BBC News Online

Miley Cyrus has reportedly been booked to perform at this year’s The X Factor live shows – but is rumoured to have been told to keep it clean. The former Hannah Montana star caused controversy with her VMAs twerking, and according to The Sun newspaper, XF bosses are keen to cash in. A TV insider told the paper: “X Factor never miss an opportunity to exploit a situation, so the moment Miley put on THAT routine at the VMAs, producers put the wheels in motion to try to sign her up.”
POSTED: 07/09/13 – Source: mtv.co.uk

Nicole Appleton joined Louis Walsh at his pad in France to act as his co-judge during the Judges’ Houses round of ITV’s X Factor and any contestants in the Boys category who might have been practising Oasis’ classic track Don’t Look Back In Anger will have been swiftly ordered to wash their mouths out with soap. According to The Sun, the music manager has banned any covers of tracks by Nicole’s philandering ex, Liam Gallagher.
POSTED: 06/09/13 – Source: mirror.co.uk

Simon Cowell has hinted he may return to The X Factor as a judge this year. The singing show has suffered falling ratings since he left two years ago, although he has remained hands-on behind the scenes. But when asked about the possibility of his return in 2013, he told the BBC: “I wouldn’t rule it out.” Speaking at the 10th series launch on Thursday, he added he was confident about the show’s future. “It’s here to stay, it feels fresh, it’s revived. I feel really good about the future,” he said. The show is hoping for a ratings boost with a number of revamps to the format.
POSTED: 29/08/13 – Source: BBC News Online

X Factor judges Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne are said to be after a spot on Strictly Come Dancing! The pair are both set to quit the ITV show after the current series ends in the winter, and are already making plans for next year. The Sun reports that both Louis and Sharon fancy their chances on rival BBC One series Strictly. “Louis has made no secret of his desire to star in Strictly, and knows how this will wind Simon up,” a source told the newspaper. “But now he’s taking it to the next level by saying Sharon’s up for the move.”
POSTED: 24/08/13 – Source: tellymix.co.uk

Leona Lewis has been named the X Factor’s best-selling artist in the UK, beating One Direction, Olly Murs and JLS to the top spot. The Bleeding Love singer has sold a total of 3.9 million albums and a further 4.4 million singles in the UK since winning the show back in 2006. The figures were released by Music Week in the run up to the show’s tenth anniversary. To date, artists from the singing contest have sold 30 million singles and 18 million albums here since the show began in 2004. Murs is one behind Lewis in the singles with 3.9m in sales, while JLS trail behind in third with 3.4m. The positions are reversed however when looking at album sales. JLS came out on top out of the two with units of 2.7m, beating Murs who sits back in third with 2.6m.
POSTED: 22/08/13 – Source: mtv.co.uk

ITV bosses are said to be planning an overhaul of The X Factor’s voting format in a bid to keep viewers interested during the live shows. According to The Sun, each of this year’s Saturday performance episodes will feature a ‘flash vote’ in which fans will have just 200 SECONDS to vote to save their favourites. Presenter Dermot O’Leary will then reveal who polled the fewest votes, and they will be the first act in the bottom two. The normal public vote then follows, and the contestant with the least support in Sunday’s results show will also face the head-to-head battle. Deadlock rules have also been tweaked, with Saturday’s flash vote loser automatically being eliminated if judges Gary Barlow, Sharon Osbourne, Nicole Scherzinger and Louis Walsh cannot decide who should go home. The new system has been introduced to freshen up the talent contest after last year’s series struggled in the ratings.
POSTED: 21/08/13 – Source: tellymix.co.uk

The X Factor is returning bigger than ever for series 10, with episodes airing on both Saturday and Sunday throughout the show’s run. Digital Spy reports that the hit series will return to screens on Saturday August 31 and will also air the following night as ITV extends their coverage to include ‘closed’ auditions. During the ‘closed’ audition stage, acts will first have to successfully impress the judging panel before progressing to the arena auditions. The auditionees will then once again have to get the tick of approval from judges Gary Barlow, Nicole Scherzinger, Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne at the arena audition stage before they can progress through to Boot Camp. The two-night format will run all the way through until the final show on December 15.
POSTED: 16/08/13 – Source: mtv.co.uk

SPOILER: This year’s series of The X Factor hasn’t even hit our screens yet, but already the judges’ categories have been leaked to the press. The Sun reports that Louis Walsh has been rewarded for his 10 years of loyal service by being handed the mentorship of the boys, rather than the over-25s as on numerous previous occasions. And it is apparently prodigal mother Sharon Osbourne who will be taking care of the older contestants on her return to the hit ITV show. Gary Barlow is claimed to be looking after the groups, with Nicole Scherzinger being given the girls. A source told the paper: “The groups are really strong and Gary knows all about how to get the best out of them, because of his experience with Take That.
POSTED: 09/08/13 – Source: mtv.co.uk

Simon Cowell is reported to have changed his mind about returning to the UK version of The X Factor in the wake of the news about his alleged impending fatherhood. The reality TV mogul had intended to play a bigger part in this year’s series, inviting the judges to his yacht in the Med to help them whittle down their contestants. But now The Mirror claims that he has decided to put his comeback on hold – apparently leaving ITV bosses fuming.
POSTED: 06/08/13 – Source: mtv.co.uk

Louis Walsh has confirmed he will quit The X Factor after this series. The TV talent show star is stepping down from the ITV programme after a decade on the judging panel. He told TV Times magazine he is looking forward to returning to his day job of managing musicians. “I’m happy this is going to be my last year,” said Louis, who has mentored acts including JLS and Jedward. “I’ve been judging X Factor for 10 years so I’ve done it all.” A spokesperson for The X Factor said: “We’re delighted Louis is back for a record breaking 10th series this year. “It’s far too early to say what the judging panel for 2014 may or may not look like.”
POSTED: 06/08/13 – Source: BBC Newsbeat

Producers on The X Factor are reported to have been forced to cut out a series of sweary rants from newly returned judge Sharon Osbourne. The 60-year-old is claimed by The Sun newspaper to have turned the air blue on several occasions during the pre-recorded auditions – leaving bosses fearing that she could do the same in the live shows. A source told the paper: “Sharon has been on fine form. But so much has to be edited out as she keeps cursing on camera.
POSTED: 29/07/13 – Source: mtv.co.uk

A Sensational shake-up of this year’s X Factor will see the judges summoned by Simon Cowell to a dramatic summit in the Med on his yacht. The show, out to end two years in which he has barely shown his face, will fly out Louis Walsh, Sharon Osbourne, Nicole Scherzinger and Gary Barlow so he can discuss Boot Camp acts who will progress to the judges’ houses stage. Multi-millionaire Cowell, 53, has agreed to take less of a back seat this time round despite still being busy with the American version of the franchise. In the States he appears as a judge, ruling him out of making a comeback as “Mr Nasty” on the UK panel.
POSTED: 27/07/13 – Source: thesun.co.uk

X Factor bosses are recycling acts again with no fewer than six solo wannabes and groups back on this year’s show.
All of them have already got through to at least the judges’ houses stage in previous series, TV Biz can reveal. One returning act set to sail through to the live final is Rough Copy. The soul and pop boy band were forced off the show last year after one of the trio, Nigerian-born Kazeem Ajobe, could not get a visa in time to travel to Vegas for Louis Walsh’s judges’ houses round. They caused a storm at the auditions with a version of One Direction’s Little Things.
POSTED: 23/07/13 – Source: thesun.co.uk

Returning X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne says Simon Cowell asked her back because she is “the best” and because she offered to perform a SEX ACT on him. She agreed to rejoin the ITV talent show for its tenth series after quitting at the end of series four in 2007 over her spat with fellow judge Dannii Minogue. Now the judging line-up will see Sharon alongside old pal Louis Walsh as well as Gary Barlow and Nicole Scherzinger. Sharon who decided to return to the show after dinner with Simon back in March, told TV Biz “I am the best, it is the truth.”
POSTED: 19/07/13 – Source: thesun.co.uk

Simon Cowell is on the verge of agreeing a new X Factor deal with ITV. The next series was rumoured to be the last ever, but channel boss Adam Crozier said: “It is going to be around for quite some time. “It remains a very important programme for ITV.” But he admitted: “We’ve got to make sure we improve it and get it right.
Meanwhile Sharon Osbourne is reported to have lost her temper and thrown a pen at an elderly contestant on The X Factor after she made a comment about Sharon’s husabnd Ozzy Osbourne’s talents as a singer.
POSTED: 30/06/13

Sharon Osbourne has already drawn up the battle lines on the new X Factor judging panel, using her gigantic gob to overshadow Nicole Scherzinger. As the new series, set to air on ITV in August, shapes up to be the most brutal yet, mouthy Shazza dominated the first day of auditions as wannabes were slammed and shamed during a marathon Ten-hour audition. The judge, who is back on the show after quitting in 2007, eclipsed the returning ex-Pussycat Doll, despite Nicole coaching last series’ winner James Arthur. Less than half of the 50 hopefuls were invited back to the next round as dreams were dashed during trials at Glasgow’s Hilton hotel on Tuesday.
POSTED: 06/06/13 – Source: thesun.co.uk

Caroline Flack is confirmed to return for her third series of The Xtra Factor, with co-host Olly Murs set to be replaced by young comedian Matt Richardson. Murs has decided to leave the ITV2 spin-off show behind him to focus on his music, with 21-year old Richardson set to step into his shoes alongside Cazza. Speaking of her new partner in crime, Flack stated “I’m really excited to be hosting Xtra Factor for the third year! Of course I’m going to miss Olly every day, but I am very proud that his music is doing so well all around the world.
POSTED: 29/05/13 – Source: mtv.co.uk

A new spoof X Factor musical called ‘I Can’t Sing!’ is set to open in the West End next year. According to The Guardian, the show, created by Harry Hill, will run at the London Palladium and is said to feature “a singing hunchback, a talking dog and a man in an iron lung,” as well as an explanation behind the height at which Simon Cowell wears his trousers. It also boasts 19 original songs written by Steve Brown, who has previously worked on Spitting Image and Hill’s TV Burp, and is being co-produced by Simon Cowell’s company Syco Entertainment. Hill has put together a book for the musical and contributed lyrics while Sean Foley, who is about to make his debut at the Royal Shakespeare Company, will direct the show. No details of the cast have been announced as yet.
POSTED: 23/05/13 – Source: nme.com

The X Factor bosses are reported to have clocked up the show’s biggest-ever wage bill for this year’s series – nearly £6m. The Sun newspaper claims to have been told how much each judge is getting – and reckons the total wage bill has rocketed by around £2m. It says new judge Sharon Osbourne is getting £1.5m, plus £300k travel expenses, and also claims Gary Barlow and Nicole Scherzinger are each getting the same amount – with Scherzy doubling her pay from the £750k she earned for last year’s series. Louis Walsh is apparently earning £1m – having declined to push for a payrise in his 10th year on the show.
POSTED: 23/05/13 – Source: mtv.co.uk

Sharon Osbourne has agreed a £1.5million deal to return to the UK version of X Factor. After much wrangling, and rumours surrounding which judge would be axed to make way for the fiery red head, the reality star has agreed terms this week and ITV bosses are already drafting an announcement. According to reports the 60-year-old wife of rocker Ozzy Osbourne will replace Tulisa who has reportedly been told she will not return. A source close to the show confirmed to MailOnline that Sharon has agreed terms and is set to sign. Although some reports suggest the music producer has signed for £1.5million, others hint she may have been offered up to £1.8million to sit back on the panel.
POSTED: 09/05/13 – Source: dailymail.co.uk

Noel Gallagher has once again stated that he will NOT be joining The X Factor judging panel. During an interview with The Daily Star, the former Oasis rocker explained that he would be worried about swearing on live TV, joking he might even call Louis Walsh a “c**t.” Gallagher – who previously revealed Simon Cowell had once offered him a seat on the panel – told the tabloid: “Yes I was asked to do it again.
POSTED: 30/04/13 – Source: mtv.co.uk

Former Oasis star Noel Gallagher is reported to have been offered around £2 million to appear as a judge on The X Factor. The mouthy Manc, 45, is claimed by The Sun to be Simon Cowell’s No 1 target for the show’s judging panel – and bosses are now reckoned to be pulling out all the stops to land him. A source told the paper: “Simon is determined to get Noel on board. He sees him as his natural replacement as the real alpha male on the panel. “He thinks Noel would be ideal, with his music knowledge, straight-talking and rapier wit.”
POSTED: 09/04/13 – Source: mtv.co.uk

X Factor wannabes will have to audition in poky clubs under one radical idea to shake up the ten-year-old format. The plan comes as Simon Cowell confessed this year’s show will feature “a lot of changes” in a bid to win back the millions of fans who have deserted in recent years. As we have previously revealed, bosses want to strip back the auditions. They fear the arena try-outs introduced in 2009 mean viewers are too used to glitzy performances by the time the live shows start. They are considering a number of changes, including going back to the original set-up of wannabes singing for the judges in a drab room. But some senior staff have suggested they sing in jazz clubs, working men’s clubs and social clubs in towns and cities across the UK.
POSTED: 20/03/13 – Source: thesun.co.uk

Sharon Osbourne was last night touted as a dead cert to replace dumped Tulisa on The X Factor, after Mel B ruled herself out. Show boss Simon Cowell was said to be “not looking at anyone else” other than Ozzy Osbourne’s missus after ex-Spice Girl Mel delivered her bombshell. A source said: “Simon is a huge fan of Sharon. “Things are looking good for her. She is in pole position.” It means Sharon, 60, will be back on the judging panel full-time six years after she last held the job.
POSTED: 19/03/13 – Source: thesun.co.uk

Louis Walsh is reported to have secured a seat on the judging panel of The X Factor for another year – meaning he will notch up a whole decade on the show. The Sun reports that Simon Cowell has won his battle with ITV bosses to keep Louis on the channel’s flagship reality show, but has agreed in return that Gary Barlow can stay too if a deal can be done.
POSTED: 22/03/13 – Source: mtv.co.uk

ITV has escaped censure over complaints from an X Factor contestant who claimed she was “misrepresented” by bosses. Pink tribute act Zoe Alexander was shown swearing and pushing people and stage equipment after her performance of the US rocker’s song, So What. Ms Alexander complained to broadcast regulator Ofcom that she was unfairly portrayed as “a laughing stock”. ITV admitted “advising” the Welsh singer to consider a Pink song but denied ignoring her own song choices.
POSTED: 04/03/13 – Source: BBC News Online

Mel B is still in talks with UK X Factor bosses about joining the panel. The news comes despite the Spice Girl landing a role on America’s Got Talent. Show producers are considering starting the audition process in June, a month later than usual, to get her on board. They were impressed with her bitchy stand-in stint last year. Mel, a former panellist on The X Factor Australia, caused a stir as a guest judge at the Manchester auditions, tearing into wannabes.
POSTED: 27/02/13 – Source: thesun.co.uk

No decision has been made on the future of the judging line-up of The X Factor, an ITV spokesman has said. It follows reports that judge Tulisa and possibly Louis are to be replaced on the panel. An X Factor spokesperson said “No formal decisions have been made about the panel for this year’s series of the X Factor as yet”. The press have rumoured that Robbie Williams could join the panel or we could see a return of the former judge Sharon Osbourne.
POSTED: 22/02/13

Rumours have been circulating that Sharon Osbourne will return to X Factor after she was spotted meeting with Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh. The three original judges met at the Arts Club in Mayfair last night which posed the question – will Sharon return as a judge next season? With Tulisa Contostavlos rumoured to be leaving the show, this would be a good opportunity for Cowell to bring back the outspoken judge.
POSTED: 17/02/13 – Source: mtv.co.uk

X Factor producers are reportedly discussing new ways for viewers to vote on the show. Fans may be able to vote for their favourite acts each week via Twitter, according to The Sun. The idea would allow fans to vote for free via the show’s Twitter page. Viewers would have to follow the official feed, which would then follow them back, and then they would send a direct message for who they wanted to vote for. X Factor executives are reportedly attempting to find new methods of easy and free voting, so that popular acts are not axed too soon. “Twitter explodes when The X Factor is on so it makes sense to see if this can be harnessed for voting,” a source said. “But, obviously, there is currently no way of charging for this so that could create a problem.”
POSTED: 06/02/13 – Source: digitalspy.co.uk

Olly Murs looks set to miss The Xtra Factor audition shows again – and could quit for good. The singer admitted it was “unlikely” he would return to co-host with Caroline Flack . . . assuming she is spared Simon Cowell’s infamous axe. Asked if he’d be back on the ITV2 spin-off, Olly said: “I’ve never said it was definite that I wasn’t going back, just that it was unlikely due to my music. “I’ve enjoyed The Xtra Factor, it’s been a great part of my career.” Producers are keen to get Olly on the show as they know he lures female viewers.
POSTED: 06/02/13 – Source: thesun.co.uk

Nicole Scherzinger has revealed that she has not yet been asked to return to The X Factor’s judging panel this year. The former Pussycat Dolls star, who went down a storm after making her debut last year, told Kiss FM that reports she had already been invited to return were premature. “I don’t know [if I’ll be back],” she said. “We haven’t had the conversation yet – they’ve got to ask me.” But she did admit that she’d love to return, saying: “I had the best time. It was one of the best years I’ve ever had. I didn’t know how much I’d fall in love with being here and the people – it’s awesome.”
POSTED: 24/01/13 – Source: mtv.co.uk

Strictly Come Dancing has beaten The X Factor to win the best talent show prize at the National Television Awards (NTAs) in London. The BBC One show ended The X Factor’s three-year run of winning the prize, also beating Britain’s Got Talent, Dancing On Ice and The Voice. It comes after Strictly consistently beat the ITV programme in the ratings during their most recent series. Presenter Tess Daly said she was “thrilled to bits” to win the award.
POSTED: 24/01/13 – Source: BBC News Online

A college course has been launched to help wannabe musician’s succeed in X Factor auditions. The 17-week programme that gives tuition in singing and confidence will end just in time for the talent shows 2013 auditions.
POSTED: 20/01/13

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