The X Factor (television series)

:This article refers to the British version of The X Factor. For the Australian version, see The X Factor (Australia)

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The X Factor was first broadcast in 2004 as an ITV television show of similar format to Pop Idol, the first series of which was won by Steve Brookstein. It is a music talent search split over three categories: group, solo 16-25 and solo 25 and over. The judges are Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne. Voice Overs were provided by Peter Dickson and Enn Reitel. Much like Pop Idol, many acts face harsh criticism from the judges, including the highly controversial Simon Cowell.

Related Topics:
2004 - ITV - Pop Idol - First series - Steve Brookstein - Simon Cowell - Louis Walsh - Sharon Osbourne - Peter Dickson - Enn Reitel

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In the initial weeks of the show, we see the three judges overlooking the auditions (obviously only a selection were on the shows, as 50,000 people auditioned). Each act would enter the audition room after waiting hours, and perform their song. The act would get through to the next stage if at least two of the three judges said "yes" to them.

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After the initial auditions, each judge is randomly allocated a category. In the first series, Cowell was assigned solo 25 and overs, Walsh got the groups and Osbourne had the solo 16-25s. Each judge then must choose 12 acts of their group to go through to round two - boot camp. After boot camp, each judge must select 5 acts to go through to round three - the judge's home. In this round, the 15 acts (5 for each judge) would go to their judges' homes, and would be interviewed, and perform to the judges alone. Each judge then has to choose three acts to go through to the live shows.

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The final 9 went through to live shows on Saturday nights. There were two live shows on each Saturday evening. The format for the first five weeks was that each act would perform once in the first show, after which the public voted for the act that they wanted to remain in the show. In the results show, the two acts with the fewest votes were revealed. They then had to sing again before the three judges decided who was eliminated. The format changed in the sixth week; each act performed twice in the first show (with the judges offering their opinions after the second songs), and reprised one of their songs in the results show. The act with the lowest number of votes was eliminated at the end of the second show, with the judges no longer having a say in who left.

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The show is hosted by Kate Thornton and labelled as the UK's biggest ever talent search, as it was the first contest to have no upper age limit, and to allow both solo singers and groups to compete. As with many other ITV programs the main show is shown first on ITV1, with The Xtra Factor, a companion show looking behind the scenes, shown on ITV2.

Related Topics:
Kate Thornton - UK - ITV1 - ITV2

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A second series of The X Factor started on 20 August 2005, and it is longer than last series, with seven acts in the three categories going to the judges' homes, and 12 acts in the final instead of 9. Kate Thornton returned as host, and all three judges returned for the series, unlike previous reports that Osbourne and Walsh might not due to financial reasons.

Related Topics:
20 August - 2005 - Kate Thornton

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1. 75,000 people auditioned for the second series. The winner of the X Factor 2 will be announced on 24 December, 2005 at the Royal Albert Hall.

Related Topics:
Winner - 24 December - 2005 - Royal Albert Hall

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The X Factor (Australia) began screening in February 2005 on Network Ten. The judges are Mark Holden (Australian Idol judge), Kate Ceberano (singer), and John Reid (a Scottish events manager). Daniel MacPherson (from the soap opera Neighbours and British police drama The Bill) is the show's host.

Related Topics:
The X Factor (Australia) - Network Ten - Mark Holden - Australian Idol - Kate Ceberano - Singer - John Reid - Scottish - Daniel MacPherson - Soap opera - Neighbours - The Bill

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