Season 11
It's about to get louder! The UK's biggest search for a music superstar gets underway as The X Factor returns for its eleventh season with judges Simon Cowell, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini (formerly known as Cheryl Cole), Mel B and Louis Walsh. Dermot O'Leary returns as host.
The talent juggernaut The X Factor gets back into action as the competition scours all corners of the UK in search of a singer worthy of landing a life changing record contract.
The nation's most talked about entertainment show sees former 'frenemies' Simon Cowell and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini reunited on the judging panel. They are joined by new signing, straight-talking Spice Girl Mel B, and renowned music manager Louis Walsh, who returns for another season.
Expect drama, banter and bickering as the all-new judging panel set out to uncover star quality like never before.
Dermot O'Leary returns to host the show, presiding over all of the drama, tears, joy and heartache, as well as lending the hopefuls a much needed shoulder to cry on as they perform in front of the most formidable panel yet.
Performers will once again tackle two sets of tough audition rounds – first the intimate closed rooms in one of four cities – Manchester, London, Newcastle and Edinburgh. Should they impress and get
three or more yeses, they secure a spot to sing at the SSE Arena, Wembley to prove they can impress a live audience of thousands.
But the pressure won't end there; once through the arenas stage, the hopefuls go through to Boot Camp and the return of the tense 'six chair challenge', with each chair representing a coveted place at their category's Judge's House.
The hopefuls will be banded in one of four categories – the Over 25s, the Groups, The Boys and the Girls. For the first time since 2008, the competition has lowered its age limit, with any performer over the age of 14 able to audition.
This year's live final returns to the SSE Arena, Wembley where the lucky finalists will sing their hearts out in front of an audience of 10,000, before the winner of X Factor 2014 is crowned.
The X Factor has spawned numerous worldwide music artists, creating more international stars than any other TV talent show. Artists discovered by The X Factor have sold more than 160 million records worldwide with the show's alumni including One Direction, Olly Murs, Leona Lewis, JLS, Little Mix, Ella Henderson and Cher Lloyd.
Created by Simon Cowell, The X Factor is produced by FremantleMedia's Thames (previously Talkback Thames) and Cowell's production company SycoTV.
Format
Stage 1: The Auditions
It's tough enough to sing in public, but when you step in front of the judges the pressure is through the roof. Now add in a live audience of thousands and you've got an audition for The X Factor.
Thousands try, few advance. If a majority of the judges (and the audience) think you might have what it takes, you make it through to the next round.
Stage 2: Bootcamp
If you make it through auditions, it's straight to boot camp; a performance pressure cooker that will put your nerves to the test.
You'll be sorted into categories – guys, girls, older singers or vocal groups – and you'll have to prove yourself by singing, dancing and performing under greater scrutiny than ever before.
Make it through boot camp and you're on your way to the big time.
Stage 3: Judges' Houses
After the boot camp selection, each constant category – guys, girls, older singers or vocal groups – is assigned to a particular judge.
The contestants then travel to their respective judge's house where each judge selects the best acts, with the biggest chance of winning, to take to the live show.
Stage 4: The Live Show
When the show goes live, only the best are left. Drawing from their experience, the judges coach the acts in their individual categories on what to sing, what to wear and how to "own" the stage.
The judges then critique the live acts every week, but ultimately it's the audience who decides who has the "X Factor" and wins a recording contract worth a million pounds.
The X Factor has spawned numerous worldwide music artists, creating more international stars than any other TV talent show. Artists discovered by The X Factor have sold more than 160 million records worldwide with the show's alumni including One Direction, Olly Murs, Leona Lewis, JLS, Little Mix, Ella Henderson and Cher Lloyd.
Created by Simon Cowell, The X Factor is produced by FremantleMedia's Thames (previously Talkback Thames) and Cowell's production company SycoTV.