Everyone knows that the best week of X Factor every year is Judges House. Don't talk to us about Six Chair Challenges, this is the real deal.
Blending heartbreak, tears, Sinitta dressed in only some palm leaves and ludicrous Louis Walsh decisions, it's a microcosm of the entire show squeezed into one handy bite-size chunk of weekend telly.
But who deserves to make the cut and who should be going home on an EasyJet flight from Barbados with nothing more than a Dermot O'Leary hug to comfort them?
Here are the Top 12 acts who we believe must make the Live Shows.
The Boys
1. Andrea Faustini
First name on the team sheet. This Italian pug-lover simply has to be in Mel B's Top 3. His rendition of 'I Didn't Know My Own Strength' at Boot Camp left us a blubbering wreck and he's also the No.1 contestant we would most like to give a cuddle.
Blending heartbreak, tears, Sinitta dressed in only some palm leaves and ludicrous Louis Walsh decisions, it's a microcosm of the entire show squeezed into one handy bite-size chunk of weekend telly.
But who deserves to make the cut and who should be going home on an EasyJet flight from Barbados with nothing more than a Dermot O'Leary hug to comfort them?
Here are the Top 12 acts who we believe must make the Live Shows.
The Boys
1. Andrea Faustini
First name on the team sheet. This Italian pug-lover simply has to be in Mel B's Top 3. His rendition of 'I Didn't Know My Own Strength' at Boot Camp left us a blubbering wreck and he's also the No.1 contestant we would most like to give a cuddle.
- 9/30/2014
- Digital Spy
As we hurtle towards the end of August, one TV show is looming large in the not-so-distant horizon. The X Factor.
Forget all that Big Brother nonsense and soggy bottom silliness on Bake Off. Cowell and Cheryl are back in town and they mean business.
Here is everything we know about the show's 11th series so far...
Warning: Spoilers Ahead
1. When is it back?
Very, very soon. The X Factor has traditionally started in August (ever since series two) and it looks likely that it will return on Saturday, August 30 this year. That is one day earlier than series ten, which kicked off with ratings of 8.78 million.
No doubt Simon Cowell will be wanting to increase those ratings figures in 2014 now that he's back at the helm. He wouldn't want to come off second best to Gary Barlow.
2. The Judges
Simon is back. Nobody mention X Factor USA.
He's managed to persuade Cheryl back.
Forget all that Big Brother nonsense and soggy bottom silliness on Bake Off. Cowell and Cheryl are back in town and they mean business.
Here is everything we know about the show's 11th series so far...
Warning: Spoilers Ahead
1. When is it back?
Very, very soon. The X Factor has traditionally started in August (ever since series two) and it looks likely that it will return on Saturday, August 30 this year. That is one day earlier than series ten, which kicked off with ratings of 8.78 million.
No doubt Simon Cowell will be wanting to increase those ratings figures in 2014 now that he's back at the helm. He wouldn't want to come off second best to Gary Barlow.
2. The Judges
Simon is back. Nobody mention X Factor USA.
He's managed to persuade Cheryl back.
- 8/13/2014
- Digital Spy
Simon is back. Cheryl is back. Louis never went away in the first place. But who else could do an X Factor U-turn and try to rescue the show's faltering ratings?
If 2014 is going to be the year of the comeback on the ITV talent show, here are 6 more things that could potentially return to your autumn Saturday night TV schedule.
1. Gamu
Dumped by Cheryl for Katie 'sod it' Waissel in 2010, Gamu Nhengu's exit was, and always will be, a sore point for X Factor diehards. After being set up as a potential champion with her 'Walking on Sunshine' audition in the first show, there was a national outcry (well, we moaned about it a bit anyway) when she was axed. Gamu-gate and the hastag #bringbackGamu were born and we won't let them die until she gets a second chance.
2. Konnie Huq on The Xtra Factor
More awkward than...
If 2014 is going to be the year of the comeback on the ITV talent show, here are 6 more things that could potentially return to your autumn Saturday night TV schedule.
1. Gamu
Dumped by Cheryl for Katie 'sod it' Waissel in 2010, Gamu Nhengu's exit was, and always will be, a sore point for X Factor diehards. After being set up as a potential champion with her 'Walking on Sunshine' audition in the first show, there was a national outcry (well, we moaned about it a bit anyway) when she was axed. Gamu-gate and the hastag #bringbackGamu were born and we won't let them die until she gets a second chance.
2. Konnie Huq on The Xtra Factor
More awkward than...
- 3/11/2014
- Digital Spy
We're crawling ever closer to the finish line of The X Factor 2013, and who better to chivvy our four semi-finalists along than music royalty in the form of a knight and a queen. That's right, ladies and gentlemen... it's Elton John vs Beyoncé week!
So, which contestants will we be 'Crazy in Love' with and who will we want to say 'Goodbye (Yellow Brick Road)' to this weekend? Will Nicholas McDonald make you pick up the 'Telephone' and vote? Will Sam Bailey keep her 'Halo' or will she be left a 'Broken Hearted Girl'? Will Rough Copy's performance make us 'Listen' or will they 'Sacrifice' their place in the final? And most importantly, will Luke Friend rock it, man? (Sorry).
Join Digital Spy from 8.15pm when we'll find out if 'Saturday Night's Alright' for our semi-finalists. (Ok, we'll stop now...)
21:45So boys and girls,...
So, which contestants will we be 'Crazy in Love' with and who will we want to say 'Goodbye (Yellow Brick Road)' to this weekend? Will Nicholas McDonald make you pick up the 'Telephone' and vote? Will Sam Bailey keep her 'Halo' or will she be left a 'Broken Hearted Girl'? Will Rough Copy's performance make us 'Listen' or will they 'Sacrifice' their place in the final? And most importantly, will Luke Friend rock it, man? (Sorry).
Join Digital Spy from 8.15pm when we'll find out if 'Saturday Night's Alright' for our semi-finalists. (Ok, we'll stop now...)
21:45So boys and girls,...
- 12/7/2013
- Digital Spy
The first Judges' Houses pictures from this year's X Factor, including snaps of Olly Murs returning to the show as a guest mentor, have been revealed.
The former contestant and Xtra Factor host will help Gary Barlow choose between groups Rough Copy, Code 4, Brick City, Xyra, Stop Look Listen and the newly-renamed Kingsland Road in New York.
Nicole Scherzinger will be joined by Mary J Blige in Antigua as she watches girls Abi Alton, Tamera Foster, Melanie McCabe, Hannah Barrett, Jade Richards and Relley Clarke.
Frequent guest judge Robbie Williams is teaming up with Sharon Osbourne in Los Angeles, where Over 25s Andrea Magee, Shelley Smith, Sam Bailey, Zoe Devlin, Joseph Whelan and Lorna Simpson will fight for a place in the live shows.
Meanwhile, Louis Walsh will be joined by a record three assistants - All Saints singer Nicole Appleton, Sinitta and Westlife's Shane Filan - as he...
The former contestant and Xtra Factor host will help Gary Barlow choose between groups Rough Copy, Code 4, Brick City, Xyra, Stop Look Listen and the newly-renamed Kingsland Road in New York.
Nicole Scherzinger will be joined by Mary J Blige in Antigua as she watches girls Abi Alton, Tamera Foster, Melanie McCabe, Hannah Barrett, Jade Richards and Relley Clarke.
Frequent guest judge Robbie Williams is teaming up with Sharon Osbourne in Los Angeles, where Over 25s Andrea Magee, Shelley Smith, Sam Bailey, Zoe Devlin, Joseph Whelan and Lorna Simpson will fight for a place in the live shows.
Meanwhile, Louis Walsh will be joined by a record three assistants - All Saints singer Nicole Appleton, Sinitta and Westlife's Shane Filan - as he...
- 10/1/2013
- Digital Spy
The X Factor's Nicole Scherzinger has selected the six girls that she will take to the Judges' Homes stage of the competition.
Abi Alton, Tamera Foster, Hannah Barrett, Jade Richards, Relley Clarke and Melanie McCabe will travel with the former Pussycat Dolls star to Antigua, where Scherzinger will choose her final three contestants.
Scherzinger was forced to send home contestants to whom she had already awarded a place in the next stage, including 21-year-old Karen Harding and 19-year-old Lydia Lucy, in a dramatic new twist.
What did you think of Scherzinger's decisions? Did she make the right call? Or did she send home the wrong contestants? Let us know what you think by voting in our poll and leaving your comments below.
Abi Alton, Tamera Foster, Hannah Barrett, Jade Richards, Relley Clarke and Melanie McCabe will travel with the former Pussycat Dolls star to Antigua, where Scherzinger will choose her final three contestants.
Scherzinger was forced to send home contestants to whom she had already awarded a place in the next stage, including 21-year-old Karen Harding and 19-year-old Lydia Lucy, in a dramatic new twist.
What did you think of Scherzinger's decisions? Did she make the right call? Or did she send home the wrong contestants? Let us know what you think by voting in our poll and leaving your comments below.
- 9/28/2013
- Digital Spy
The X Factor's Nicole Scherzinger has chosen the final six girls that she will take through to the Judges' Houses stage of the competition.
Abi Alton, Tamera Foster, Hannah Barrett, Jade Richards, Relley Clarke and Melanie McCabe will join Scherzinger and her guest mentor in Antigua.
The 'Boomerang' singer was the first judge to select her final six, with Sharon Osbourne (Over 25s), Louis Walsh (Boys) and Gary Barlow's (Groups) selections airing on tomorrow night's (September 29) episode.
16-year-old Foster won Scherzinger's approval with her rendition of Rihanna's 'Stay', while Clarke, 23, earned her spot with a performance of 'Respect'.
The former Pussycat Dolls star told Clarke that her performance "wasn't perfect" but told the other judges that she found her "adorable".
Scottish singer Jade Richards - who made it to Kelly Rowland's Judges' House two years ago - made it into the final six with a performance of 'Clown'.
Abi Alton, Tamera Foster, Hannah Barrett, Jade Richards, Relley Clarke and Melanie McCabe will join Scherzinger and her guest mentor in Antigua.
The 'Boomerang' singer was the first judge to select her final six, with Sharon Osbourne (Over 25s), Louis Walsh (Boys) and Gary Barlow's (Groups) selections airing on tomorrow night's (September 29) episode.
16-year-old Foster won Scherzinger's approval with her rendition of Rihanna's 'Stay', while Clarke, 23, earned her spot with a performance of 'Respect'.
The former Pussycat Dolls star told Clarke that her performance "wasn't perfect" but told the other judges that she found her "adorable".
Scottish singer Jade Richards - who made it to Kelly Rowland's Judges' House two years ago - made it into the final six with a performance of 'Clown'.
- 9/28/2013
- Digital Spy
This week's X Factor auditionees: In pictures
A yodeller, a cat lover and some familiar faces are among this week's acts on The X Factor.
Week two is dominated by returning contestants, who include last year's wildcard reject Amy Mottram, Scottish favourite Jade Richards, regular auditionee Melanie McCabe and the Dolly Rockers.
Louis Walsh is left in tears by returning act McCabe, who he desperately wants to see succeed.
There are also some new faces who excite the panel including 16-year-old ball of energy Chloe O'Gorman, quirky songwriter Abi Alton and a hot young yodeller who gets Nicole Scherzinger shimmying around the audition room.
More amusing auditions come in the shape of a part-time DJ, who gives an interesting twist on Stevie Wonder, and a man who really, really loves his cat.
The X Factor airs tonight (September 7) at 8pm on ITV.
A yodeller, a cat lover and some familiar faces are among this week's acts on The X Factor.
Week two is dominated by returning contestants, who include last year's wildcard reject Amy Mottram, Scottish favourite Jade Richards, regular auditionee Melanie McCabe and the Dolly Rockers.
Louis Walsh is left in tears by returning act McCabe, who he desperately wants to see succeed.
There are also some new faces who excite the panel including 16-year-old ball of energy Chloe O'Gorman, quirky songwriter Abi Alton and a hot young yodeller who gets Nicole Scherzinger shimmying around the audition room.
More amusing auditions come in the shape of a part-time DJ, who gives an interesting twist on Stevie Wonder, and a man who really, really loves his cat.
The X Factor airs tonight (September 7) at 8pm on ITV.
- 9/6/2013
- Digital Spy
We blame Alexandra Burke. The X Factor series five champion was knocked back by Louis Walsh when she first auditioned for the show. When she returned, the public felt a connection with her, she'd become a stronger singer and she steamrolled her way to victory.
Now, every single year on The X Factor we get familiar faces going for "one last shot", "a make or break audition" or "my last chance". *Play Adele music, wheel out the soppy montage and pass Nicole Scherzinger a tissue*.
Tonight's X Factor audition show features a smorgasbord of familiar X Factor faces from yesteryear. In fact, they fill the entire last segment of the show. Are we really running so low on pop singers that we need to see people coming back for a second, third and even fourth attempt at the live show?
Jade Richards may have been robbed of a spot on...
Now, every single year on The X Factor we get familiar faces going for "one last shot", "a make or break audition" or "my last chance". *Play Adele music, wheel out the soppy montage and pass Nicole Scherzinger a tissue*.
Tonight's X Factor audition show features a smorgasbord of familiar X Factor faces from yesteryear. In fact, they fill the entire last segment of the show. Are we really running so low on pop singers that we need to see people coming back for a second, third and even fourth attempt at the live show?
Jade Richards may have been robbed of a spot on...
- 9/6/2013
- Digital Spy
Returning X Factor act Melanie McCabe reduces Louis Walsh to tears on tonight's audition show.
The Dublin singer, 19, who has been rejected three times before on the ITV show, covers Rihanna's 'Diamonds' in the audition rooms.
Following her performance, Walsh campaigns to get McCabe into the second round of the competition and breaks down in tears.
"I know Melanie. I really want this for her. I know what this means to you. I know her family. I know she needs this," said Walsh.
"I know you've got the talent. And I really, really want you to do well."
McCabe tells viewers that it felt like her life was "totally pulled apart" when she was rejected at Judges' Houses by Kelly Rowland, adding: "My dream had been crushed into a million little pieces."
Explaining why she keeps returning to the show, she added: "Coming back on a fourth time, you're...
The Dublin singer, 19, who has been rejected three times before on the ITV show, covers Rihanna's 'Diamonds' in the audition rooms.
Following her performance, Walsh campaigns to get McCabe into the second round of the competition and breaks down in tears.
"I know Melanie. I really want this for her. I know what this means to you. I know her family. I know she needs this," said Walsh.
"I know you've got the talent. And I really, really want you to do well."
McCabe tells viewers that it felt like her life was "totally pulled apart" when she was rejected at Judges' Houses by Kelly Rowland, adding: "My dream had been crushed into a million little pieces."
Explaining why she keeps returning to the show, she added: "Coming back on a fourth time, you're...
- 9/6/2013
- Digital Spy
Rough Copy, Jade Richards and John Adams are among the former X Factor contestants who have been seen auditioning for this year's series.
The judges started filming the second stage of auditions in front of arena audiences last week, and fans on the Digital Spy forums have already spotted some familiar faces among the series 10 contestants.
Boyband Rough Copy were one of the early favourites in last year's series, but were forced to pull out of the competition at the Judges' Houses stage due to visa issues.
Meanwhile, popular Scottish singer Jade Richards, who was a surprise departure from Judges' Houses in 2011 and a Boot Camp reject in 2012, is back for a third attempt to make the Live Shows.
Other returning singers from previous series include teacher John Adams, who appeared in 2011, and Joseph Whelan, whose axing at Boot Camp last year prompted a 200,000 strong Facebook campaign to get him back on the show.
The judges started filming the second stage of auditions in front of arena audiences last week, and fans on the Digital Spy forums have already spotted some familiar faces among the series 10 contestants.
Boyband Rough Copy were one of the early favourites in last year's series, but were forced to pull out of the competition at the Judges' Houses stage due to visa issues.
Meanwhile, popular Scottish singer Jade Richards, who was a surprise departure from Judges' Houses in 2011 and a Boot Camp reject in 2012, is back for a third attempt to make the Live Shows.
Other returning singers from previous series include teacher John Adams, who appeared in 2011, and Joseph Whelan, whose axing at Boot Camp last year prompted a 200,000 strong Facebook campaign to get him back on the show.
- 7/23/2013
- Digital Spy
X Factor 2012 wildcard act Amy Mottram is among the contestants returning for the TV talent show's 10th series.
Mottram was rejected by Tulisa Contostavlos at Judges' Houses last year and lost out to Christopher Maloney in the public wildcard vote.
However, the Essex singer is back for a second attempt at pop fame and appeared at this year's auditions singing 'I Know Where I've Been' by Queen Latifah.
2011 contestant Terry Winstanley, who also made Judges' Houses, has also returned. He sang Michael Bolton's 'When I'm Back On My Feet Again' for Nicole Scherzinger, Gary Barlow, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh.
It has also been reported on the Digital Spy forums that former contestant Melanie McCabe is back for a fourth attempt at reaching the Live Shows.
The X Factor series 10 starts on ITV later this year.
Digital Spy speaks to the X Factor judges and hosts:...
Mottram was rejected by Tulisa Contostavlos at Judges' Houses last year and lost out to Christopher Maloney in the public wildcard vote.
However, the Essex singer is back for a second attempt at pop fame and appeared at this year's auditions singing 'I Know Where I've Been' by Queen Latifah.
2011 contestant Terry Winstanley, who also made Judges' Houses, has also returned. He sang Michael Bolton's 'When I'm Back On My Feet Again' for Nicole Scherzinger, Gary Barlow, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh.
It has also been reported on the Digital Spy forums that former contestant Melanie McCabe is back for a fourth attempt at reaching the Live Shows.
The X Factor series 10 starts on ITV later this year.
Digital Spy speaks to the X Factor judges and hosts:...
- 7/18/2013
- Digital Spy
This weekend sees the final of The X Factor, and former contestants were back in the spotlight as they made their way to Manchester, where the competition's finale will be staged. Union J joined Kye Sones, Melanie McCabe and Lucy Spraggan as they travelled on the train, while Rylan Clark was spotted in a blue onesie which covered his face. In the capital, Jls handed out Christmas presents to fans on the South Bank as they launched the Jls Foundation for Cancer Research UK, and Anita Dobson attended the Whatsonstage.com Awards launch (more)...
- 12/8/2012
- by By Donna Cini
- Digital Spy
This weekend sees the final of The X Factor, and former contestants were back in the spotlight as they made their way to Manchester, where the competition's finale will be staged. Union J joined Kye Sones, Melanie McCabe and Lucy Spraggan as they travelled on the train, while Rylan Clark was spotted in a blue onesie which covered his face. In the capital, Jls handed out Christmas presents to fans on the South Bank as they launched the Jls Foundation for Cancer Research UK, and Anita Dobson attended the Whatsonstage.com Awards launch (more)...
- 12/8/2012
- by By Donna Cini
- Digital Spy
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.