The X Factor

The X Factor is one of the most popular television shows in Great Britain. It is a music-oriented programme created by Simon Cowell. The project first aired in 2004. The format quickly gained popularity because it combined music with entertainment. The show launched the successful careers of many artists, such as One Direction, Little Mix, Olly Murs and others. The project aired on ITV, and over the years, versions of it have been adapted in dozens of countries around the world.

Basic information about the show

The X Factor UK owes its popularity to its influence on the music industry. It has discovered many talented artists. Its main goal is to find new solo performers and bands.

History of the show

The audience first saw The X Factor UK in 2004. It is a continuation of Pop Idol, but with an updated concept that includes viewer voting, a more interactive role for the judges, and different categories of participants. The programme was cancelled in 2018, although there have been several debates about its revival since then.

Simon Cowell, the creator of X Factor, was previously a member of the Pop Idol jury. He was accused of copying the format of the show. Simon Fuller accused Cowell of simply copying the format of his show and even took him to court.

Format

The X Factor UK consists of several key stages that take place during each season. The main objective of the show is to select contestants for the final, where they compete for the grand prize — a contract with a music company.

Auditions

The first stage of the show consists of auditions, during which contestants demonstrate their vocal abilities to the judges. At this stage, the best contestants are selected to move on to the next stage. In most cases, auditions are held in different cities across Great Britain. Contestants have the opportunity to make it to the big stage if at least one of the judges likes their voice. At this stage, the judges decide who they want to see in the next auditions.

Auditions among the contestants were held in a closed room and in front of a live audience without the use of backing tracks.

Bootcamp and the judges' homes

The qualifying rounds are followed by Bootcamp, where only the best participants go. This is an intensive stage during which the contestants perform a series of difficult tasks and undergo additional tests. Next comes the judges' houses stage, where the judges choose their protégés and form teams to go on to the next stage.

Elimination stages and the final

After Bootcamp and the judges' houses, the main competition stage begins. At this stage, the participants compete for victory. Live performances by the participants are shown on television and are evaluated not only by the judges but also by the viewers through telephone voting. Throughout the season, participants are eliminated, and only the best advance to the final.

The final episode of X-Factor is the culmination of the show, in which one of the contestants or groups wins, getting the chance to sign a contract with a music studio and advance their career.

Judges

Over the years, different members of the jury have judged The X Factor (UK). The panel of judges included well-known personalities.

Among the invited jury members, it is worth highlighting Alesha Dixon, who appeared sporadically in seasons 13 and 14 of the show.

Participants

Let's list the most famous participants of the project who are remembered by viewers.

We would like to highlight Stacey Solomon, a contestant and finalist on The X Factor UK 2009 in the Girls category, who came in third place. After the show ended, she became a popular TV presenter and media personality in Great Britain.

Another successful X Factor contestant is Rylan Clark (full name Rylan Clark-Neal). He rose to fame in the Boys category and made it to the final. After the show, he began building a career as a TV presenter and appeared in the spin-off Big Brother's Bit on the Side.

Some contestants auditioned 5-6 times before making it onto the show.

Winners

Here are the winners of all seasons of X Factor.

The X Factor: Celebrity

The X Factor: Celebrity is a special season of the popular show The X Factor, launched in 2019. It differed from the main version in that it featured famous personalities instead of regular contestants. The updated format of the show allowed representatives from the worlds of film, television, sports, and music to compete for the win. The winner received the opportunity to sign a contract with a music company. This season was launched with the aim of attracting a wider audience, offering viewers a unique combination of celebrities and a traditional music competition.

The show was hosted by Dermot O'Leary, who had been a key figure throughout many seasons of The X Factor, and Caroline Flack, who returned to the project for a special season as co-host. They managed to create a great atmosphere on stage and on screen, adding energy and interactivity to the show's format.

Among the participants of The X Factor: Celebrity were such famous personalities as:

1. V5 (a group of participants from the British Got Talent).
2. Martin Bashir (a well-known TV presenter).
3. Vicky Pattison (a reality TV star).
4. Rickie Haywood-Williams.

All of them truly immersed themselves in the music competition, demonstrating their vocal abilities to the audience on stage. The winner of the season was Megan McKenna, known as a singer and participant in the reality show The Only Way Is Essex. Her victory in the show was a big step in her career as an artist. Megan McKenna's powerful voice and charisma caught the attention of the judges and viewers, and she was able to stand out among the other famous contestants.

Although the special season of The X Factor was not as long as the main seasons, it contributed to the development of the show, giving viewers an interesting and fresh direction with the participation of famous personalities.

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