The X Factor Series 8 - The auditions week 1

The long-wait for Britain's biggest singing-competition was over as the nationwide-search for the next potential X Factor winner got underway with the first-week of auditions!

It returned with a bang last-night as 11.3m viewers were said to have tuned-in, as a new-look judging-panel made up of Take That star Gary Barlow, N-Dubz star Tulisa Contostavlos, former Destiny's Child star Kelly Rowland and remaining X Factor judge Louis Walsh started their search in Birmingham and London, with thousands waiting for their chance to impress!

One of the auditionees the judges met was Goldie Cheung, who was held backstage due to illness but was able to audition but the judges were left gobsmacked by what they saw as she did Tai Chi moves to impress them.

It didn't seem to impress Gary, who decided that it was a NO from him, whilst Louis and Tulisa all gave her a YES, with Kelly left to give the casting vote and it was a....YES.

With 3 YES's, it's enough to see Goldie through to Bootcamp!

On-stage to give an impression was 16-year old Janet Devlin, whose audition of Elton John's 'Your Song' left everyone blown-away that they gave her a standing-ovation.

It was a convincing 4 YES's all-round for Janet, whose X Factor journey continues on to Bootcamp.

Frankie Cocozza was another hopeful the judges met, an 18-year old student from who already made an impression to the crowd before singing 'Valerie,' as he showed 7 names tattooed on his bum, leaving everybody gobsmacked!

From the judges' perspective, it was 4 YES's all-round for Frankie, who makes it through to Bootcamp.

We'll definitely see more of them in Bootcamp, which is still some time away!

Missed any of last-night's action? You can watch both The X Factor and The Xtra Factor online NOW on the ITV Player @ http://www.itv.com/itvplayer

Good luck to all of this year's hopefuls, the judges/mentors, the presenters and everyone of the X Factor team!

Admin


CHART WATCH

Some of our past X Factor stars have already made an impression on the charts this-week.

The Big Top 40 (iTunes) chart sees a new NO#1 this-week as X Factor 2009 runner-up and Xtra Factor host Olly Murs is on TOP spot with his latest single 'Heart Skips A Beat'

Elsewhere, JLS' latest single 'She Makes Me Wanna' is now at NO#12 and Cher Lloyd is at NO#26 with 'Swagger Jagger'

Meanwhile, in the Official UK Top 40 Singles Chart, JLS are now at NO#9 with 'She Makes Me Wanna' whilst 'Swagger Jagger' by Cher Lloyd is on NO#11 this-week!

Congratulations to all of our artists, we are proud of you!

It's almost here. The X Factor launches tomorrow!!!!!

DAYS LEFT FOR LAUNCH OF THE X FACTOR 2011 SERIES 8: Only 1 day left to go!



The nationwide search for the next big-thing in music is almost about to start as Britain's biggest singing-competition launches tomorrow night!

A £1 million recording-contract is up-for-grabs and out of the thousands of auditionees, only 1 act will scoop that prestigious prize.

Our new judging-panel in Take That star Gary Barlow, N-Dubz star Tulisa Contostavlos, ex-Destiny's Child star Kelly Rowland and our remaining judge and Irish music mogul Louis Walsh, will travel all-across the country in-search for this-year's winner!

It is none-other than......THE X FACTOR!!!!!!!

Dermot will have all-the-action from the auditions as our judges begin their search to find the next big-thing in music, whilst Caroline Flack and former X Factor runner-up Olly Murs will have something Xtra to offer as they will be behind-the-scenes!

It's almost here and we cannot wait!

Join Dermot with all of the action from the first-round of auditions with the launch of The X Factor at 8:00pm tomorrow only on ITV1!

Also, don't forget to join Caroline and Olly with all the backstage action on the launch of The Xtra Factor at 9:15pm tomorrow only on ITV2!

We're in for an exciting-year! Bring it on!

Good luck to all of this-year's auditionees, the judges/mentors, the presenters and everyone of the X Factor team!

Admin


eXtra NEWS

With the exciting and anticipating launch of The X Factor Series 8, it just gets even better!

After months of speculation about the live X Factor Grand Final, it will be the first-time it will be happening in a renowned and major venue!

The X Factor Live Final Weekend, will be happening at.....WEMBLEY ARENA!

Now this is something to definitely look forward to as our finalists of this-year perform at such a venue!

It may be a long-time away but we cannot wait for it!

With some of last-year's acts having released material recently, the winner of last-year is also back with new material. It's none-other than Matt Cardle.

Matt is set to release his new, debut album 'Letters' in October of this-year! We cannot wait for that!

Good luck to Matt and to all of past X Factor stars, we're proud of you and we're behind you all the way!

Say hello to a new-year of The X Factor!!!!!!

DAYS LEFT FOR LAUNCH OF THE X FACTOR 2011 SERIES 8: Only 10 days to go!

So after months of anticipation and changes ahead of a new-year, Britain's most popular talent-show is back as a nationwide-search begins for the next big-thing in music, with a recording contract worth £1 million up-for-grabs!

Out of the thousands that are auditioning, there can only be one winner and that winner will be amongst them somewhere!

It's a new-series with a new-look, it's none-other than THE X FACTOR!

Dermot O'Leary is back with all of the action at-the-scenes, as the new judging-panel of Take That star Gary Barlow, N-Dubz star Tulisa Contostavlos, American artist and ex-Destiny's Child star Kelly Rowland and Irish music mogul Louis Walsh travel all-across the country to find the next potential X Factor winner!

When it comes to all of the backstage-action, that is something Xtra! All of that and more will be with TV personality Caroline Flack and X Factor 2009 runner-up Olly Murs, with the return of THE XTRA FACTOR!

Don't miss the launch of The X Factor on Saturday 20th August at 8:00pm only on ITV1!

Don't forget to tune-in on ITV2 at 9:15pm with the launch of The Xtra Factor!

The show is almost here and we cannot wait! Only 10 days away!

Good luck to all of this-year's auditionees, the judges/mentors, the presenters and everyone of the X Factor team!

Admin


eXtra NEWS

There is certainly some new material coming-out from some of our X Factor stars.

Last year's winner Matt Cardle, is set to release his debut album in October of this year!

Runner-up of last-year Rebecca Ferguson, secured a joint record-contract and her new album is set to release later this-year.

Another of last-year's finalists, One Direction, have announced details of their debut single 'What Makes You Beautiful,' which is set for release on September 11th!

Definitely something to keep an eye out for! As for the last few-weeks, there has been plenty of action in the charts for some of our former X Factor stars!

This-week's Big Top 40 (iTunes) chart has seen JLS remaining at NO#1 for the 2nd-week running with their latest single 'She Makes Me Wanna,' whilst one of last-year's stars, Cher Lloyd has gone to NO#4 with her debut single 'Swagger Jagger'

Meanwhile, in the UK Singles Chart, Cher Lloyd has made it at NO#1 this-week with 'Swagger Jagger' as a new-entry and JLS currently at NO#2 with 'She Makes Me Wanna,' which is currently in it's 2nd-week in this chart.

Congratulations to all of our artists! We are proud of you!

From the judging panel to The Xtra Factor!

DAYS LEFT FOR JLS' NEW MOVIE 'EYES WIDE OPEN: THE 3D MOVIE' TO HIT CINEMAS: Only 3 days to go!


Whilst the search for the X Factor UK judging-panel was underway, the search for the new presenter of The Xtra Factor was also underway!

The judging-panel was confirmed a few-days ago and now the new presenters of The Xtra Factor have now been announced!

Following the sad departure of Konnie Huq, who presented the ITV2 show last-year, The Xtra Factor has gone for a duo instead of solo.

The first presenter confirmed is well-remembered for presenting ITV2 spin-off show I'm A Celebrity.....Get Me Out Of Here NOW!

Confirmed as a new Xtra Factor presenter is.........CAROLINE FLACK!!!!!!

Caroline Flack said: "I'm beyond excited to be hosting Xtra Factor this year. I'm a massive fan of The X Factor and can't wait to get started. I'm sad to leave the jungle but I've had a great two years and this is an opportunity that I couldn't turn down."

The second-presenter confirmed foe ITV2 show finished as runner-up of The X Factor 2-years ago and his debut single was 'Please Don't Let Me Go'

Brace yourselves, he is none-other than..........OLLY MURS!!!!!!

The 2009 X Factor runner-up said: "I'm so excited to be joining the Xtra Factor with Caroline. The X Factor is the show that put me where I am so I'm chuffed to be involved again; this time to work on it from the other side and see some new stars coming through!"

The confirmation of the Xtra Factor hosts are on the link below
http://xfactor.itv.com/2010/news/article/read_xtra-factor-hosts-announced_item_101022.htm

With a new line-up of X Factor judges and a new line-up of presenters of The Xtra Factor, you can say that this year's series of The X Factor will be one to be excited about!

Congratulations to both Caroline and Olly! We cannot wait to see more of you!

Admin

BREAKING NEWS: New X Factor UK judges confirmed!!!!!!!

DAYS LEFT FOR JLS' NEW MOVIE 'EYES WIDE OPEN: THE 3D MOVIE' TO HIT CINEMAS: Only 5 days to go!


There's certainly been some X Factor fever in the last few-weeks but after months of speculation about what would happen to The X Factor UK, there is finally some official news.

Following the departures of Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole, who reportedly got sacked from X Factor USA, and more recently, Dannii Minogue, work on forming the X Factor UK judging-panel had began.

The new judging panel has been of huge-gossip over the past few-weeks but now, the panel has now been officially confirmed, with 3 new additions.

One of the new judges of the hit ITV show is one of the most-successful singer/songwriter's in Britain and also has his own record-label. He is one of the star members in pop group Take That, who performed on one of the X Factor live-shows last-year

The first of the new judges confirmed is..........GARY BARLOW!!!!!

Gary Barlow said: "I'm extremely excited about working on The X Factor. I've always been a fan of the show and always enjoyed performing on it too. My one goal is to find a global super star. If I don't find one I won't have done my job."


The second-judge is the lead-singer from N-Dubz, who are one of the most-successful urban British hip-hop groups and have 4 MOBO Awards to their names.

Confirmed as one of the new X Factor judges is..........TULISA CONTOSTAVLOS!!!!!

Tulisa Contostavlos said: "I'm so excited to be the joining The X Factor and want to bring something fresh and new to the panel. I'm not going to be afraid to speak my mind and mix things up a little. I am hoping to find some hot new talent and mentor a winning category. It is also going to be great to get to know and work alongside the other Judges. Let the fireworks begin!"



The third of the new-judges confirmed was the founding member of Destiny's Child, who were one of the most-successful girlgroups of all-time, having sold over 60 million records. She is a global-star and has a won a Grammy as a solo-artist.

The third-judge confirmed for the hit ITV show is..........KELLY ROWLAND!!!!!

Kelly Rowland said: “I am so excited to join The X Factor UK and be able to spend time in one of my favourite places in the world. The music coming out of the UK right now is incredible with artists like Adele, Jessie J and James Blake, so I’m confident this season of The X Factor will give me opportunity to hear a few diamonds in the rough. Being a judge is never easy, but I promise to be as sternly honest as I can and also encourage everyone who crosses the stage. I can't wait to meet the world’s next superstar!”


So that's the new 3 judges announced for X Factor UK but what about the 4th judge?

He is a familiar name to the panel and has been judge/mentor of The X Factor UK for the last 7-years and is now entering his 8th series. He has masterminded the careers of hit boybands Boyzone and Westlife.

He is the only remaining judge and he is none-other than.........LOUIS WALSH!!!!!

Louis Walsh said: "I'm delighted to back for my eighth series of The X Factor, it's my favourite job in the world and I'm really excited this year to work with Gary Barlow and the rest of the new panel. I'm the last original judge standing and I'm determined to find an act that can win this year and show the others how it's done!"


The confirmation of the panel is available on the link below
http://xfactor.itv.com/2010/news/article/read_judging-panel-announced_item_101021.htm


So it's going to be a new-start for The X Factor UK, with new additions to the judging-panel which will make the new series of the hit ITV show more anticipating! It will be an exciting series to look forward to and we cannot wait!!!!!

All the very-best to our 3 new X Factor UK judges and to Louis Walsh!

Admin

BREAKING NEWS: Cheryl Cole confirmed as X Factor USA judge!!!!!!

After months of speculation, there is finally some official news!

With The X Factor launching in America later this-year and as auditions are underway, there's been a lot of talk of whom will form the judging-panel when the show officially launches.

With Simon Cowell and Antonio 'L.A.' Reid already confirmed, the 3rd-judge has finally been confirmed and she's been-linked with it all-this-time and one of her acts on last-year's X Factor finished 2nd on the show.

The 3rd-confirmed X Factor USA judge is none-other than..........CHERYL COLE!!!!!!!!!!

She will join Simon and L.A. Reid on the judging-panel as the American show gets nearer to our TV screens!

The 'Promise This' star said: "I'm so excited to be taking part in the American version of The X Factor, I absolutely love it here in the UK, and with the talent they have out in America, I'm sure we're going to find someone very special. I can't wait to get started."

"I just can't decide whether I am more excited to find and nurture the talent or for the unbelievable amount of amusement and entertainment I will have watching Simon doing everything and anything he can to beat me. He's tried to beat me for three years in the UK, and hasn't even come close. His ego must be so bruised. America is gonna love this.

Simon, who has played an integral-role in bringing The X Factor to America, said: "I'm thrilled for Cheryl. She is massively excited about this show, and has been fantastic to work with. She is also a complete brat! Most importantly, this girl can spot talent!

Meanwhile, the president of FOX Broadcasting Company, which will broadcast the show, Mike Darnell said: "Cheryl Cole has the whole The X Factor package - She's an incredibly talented artist and performer, as well as a style icon, and she has that special charisma that draws in fans around the world.

"Cheryl's charm and chemistry with Simon have been a key part of the overwhelming success of The X Factor in the UK, and we can't wait to welcome her to the US on our air.

Cecile Frot-Coutaz, who is the executive producer of X Factor USA, added: "As a young artist whose talent show discovery led to almost immediate stardom, Cheryl's career exemplifies the promise of The X Factor. Her empathy and passion for identifying and nurturing undiscovered talent has made her a huge hit with British audiences, and I have no doubt America will fall in love with her beauty, her accent and her incredible chemistry with Simon Cowell.""

All the best of luck to Simon, Cheryl, L.A and to everyone of the X Factor USA team!

So we'll be wondering what this will mean for X Factor UK, with the confirmation that Simon will not be a weekly-judge for the UK version and now with Cheryl confirmed for X Factor USA, it will be interesting on what the plans will be for the UK show. Definitely something to keep an eye-out for.

All the best to both teams of X Factor UK and X Factor USA!

Admin


eXtra NEWS

It has been yet another busy-period for one of our X Factor finalists from 2008 and it's none other JLS!

As details were revealed a few-days ago that the 95-106 Capital FM Summertime Ball was back and would be taking-place at Wembley Stadium, the 14 artists/acts were also announced!

With the likes of Jessie J, J-Lo, Ne-Yo, Enrique Iglesias and many-more performing, JLS were also confirmed and they will be amongst the 14 artists performing at this-year's Summertime Ball on Sunday 12th June.

Tickets will go-out on general-sale on Monday 9th May from 8:00am so don't forget to log on to the official Capital FM website @ www.capitalfm.com

In other-news, it was sadly revealed not-so-long ago that X Factor 2005 winner Shayne Ward and 2009 X Factor winner Joe McElderry were dropped by Sony/SyCo label. Sad news to hear but we wish both Shayne and Joe all the very-best for the future!

A new face for Iceland........it's STACEY SOLOMON!!!!!!

With a TV gig on the-way, Stacey Solomon has landed herself another gig as well.

The I'm A Celebrity 2010 winner and X Factor favourite has been unveiled as the new face of frozen food giants Iceland Stores.

She will appear in a series of adverts for Iceland later this-year so anyone who does their grocery shopping at Iceland would be able to notice her.

Stacey, who will also join Vernon Kay on new ITV celebrity-show 'Sing If You Can' next-month, said: "I'm really excited to be working with Iceland. I still can't believe it. And I have always been such a big fan so it feels perfect. Wahoo!

"I can't wait to get started and shoot the ads."

Meanwhile, the executive director of Iceland Foods, Nick Canning said: "Stacey is a genuine Iceland customer and is someone we know our customers already love."

"She's mum to Zach first and foremost but without question is also a glamorous celebrity who people can't wait to know more about."

Congratulations to Stacey once-again! We are proud of you and we're backing you all the way!

Admin