X Factor UK: past winners, judges and presenters

Welcome X Factor Fanatics! This blog will give you the essential X Factor facts, news and latest celebrity gossip!


Let's take a look at the history of X Factor in Britain. At the time of writing there have been six series.

Here are the details of the winners, presenters and runner-ups for each series.

X FACTOR SERIES 1

Series 1 Winner: Steve Brookstein


Steve Brookstein backgrounder:He was born in Dulwich. His father's from South Africa. He received 6 million votes, which remains the highest vote count on X Factor.

What is Steve Brookstein doing now: Our lucky first series winner can now be seen singing in Pizza Parlours and Pubs like Pizza Express, cruise ships and anywhere he can. You can read more about Steve at his website stevebrookstein.com


The News Of The World published a slightly cruel article about Steve headlined "Steve Brookstein goes from superstardom to dough ball". Instead of playing to sell-out crowds, X Factor's first winner now performs at Pizza Express to 30-strong crowds and has a tendency to forget his lines. Let that be a lesson to the more than 200,000 hopefuls who are expected to line up for the new series' auditions. Yes X Factor might win you instant fame, but not necessary lasting success or million dollar paydays either. 

Series 1 Runner up: G4

Male four-piece vocal group. Named after the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where they all met. Guildhall 4 = G4 get it?! 



Even Simon Cowell had to admit that G4 were the real stars of X Factor Series One as they went on to sell more records that Steve Brookstein. Their rendition of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody in the semi-final (which they encored for the final) was their biggest moment. They signed a GBP1.5 million deal with Sony since Simon's record company Syco didn't pick them up. Their debut album G4 reached number 1 and they ended releasing three albums. 

Where are G4 now: They split up in 2007 saying they were having fights within the band and were tired of the constant 'boiling frustrations'.

Host: Kate Thornton. Irritating, super irritating, but bless-her-heart she was a trier. Really nervous and pretty terrible as a presenter, although she did get better as the series grew.

Judges: Simon "the chest hair" Cowell. His forehead could still move in those days, he looks surprisingly young when you watch the shows back. Sharon Osbourne, loud mouthed wife of Ozzy Osbourne and co-star with raving mad Osbourne Family of the now infamous MTV reality series "The Osbournes"., Louis Walsh: manager of Westlife, Boyzone and long time business associate of Cowell's. With his Irish charm, wink in the eye and warmth he produced the kinder Uncle figure to Simon's 'tell it like it is because it's for your own good' honesty.


X FACTOR SERIES 2

Series 2 Winner: Shayne Ward

Shayne Ward is still around as a solo artist, still releasing albums. Same haircut too. Pointless side note: my friend keeps calling him Shane Warne by mistake. And she has no idea that she's getting it wrong. The high point of his career was when his debut single "That's My Gold" sold more copies on the day of its release than ALL of the other Top 40 singles combined. Wowsers! It's said his personal wealth is around half a million pounds and globally he has sold an incredible 1 million albums. In Asia they love him (as they love Air Supply, Michael Learns To Rock and Journey)




Series 2 Runner Up: Andy Abraham. Oh my goodness, completely forgot about this guy.Andy Abraham was a dustbin man before auditioning for X Factor. He's also been a bus driver. Andy went on to represent the United Kingdom in the 2008 Eurovision Song Content and came joint last out of 25 entries an absolutely dismal 14 points. By doing so, he became only the second UK entrant to come last in Eurovision. Yes, that the Eurovision song contest...the one that features San Marino and countries that sound more like fruity beverages than hot beds of song writing and performing.  Andy lost X Factor by just 1.2% to Shayne Ward. He released four albums including a "Very Best Of Album" in 2008 (yes, the Very Best Of Andy Abraham) 

What is Andy Abraham up to now? He continues to perform. He even sang at the 21st birthday party of Arsenal winger and England's next great hope: Theo Walcott. In 20 years time, Walcott will look back at those birthday photos and think 'who?'

Host: Kate Thornton. Still irritating and still clearly nervous for the big shows. But still bless-her-little-heart for trying so very hard.

Judges: same as Series 1. If it ain't broke

X FACTOR SERIES 3


Series 3 winner: Leona Lewis


By far the most successful of all the X Factor winners. Now, a bonafide global megastar...UK"s Mariah Carey, Celine Dion and Mary J all in one


Runner Up Ray Quinn


Host: Kate Thornton survives but not for much longer


Judges: same but good old Paula Abdul of American Idol joins for the London auditions


X FACTOR SERIES 4


Series 4 winner: Leon Jackson


Runner Up: Rhydian Roberts. Surely the weirdest of the finalists


Host: Change of host, as the hugely popular and safe bet Dermot O'Leary joins


Judges: A NEW JUDGE joins X Factor. Dannii Minogue, sister of Kylie Minogue becomes the fourth judge. Brian Friedman joins for the London auditions.  Brian's been a judge for other Simon Cowell shows but he lacks chemistry with the other judges


X FACTOR SERIES 5

Series 5 Winner: Alexandra Burke.


The (joint?) second most successful X Factor winner after Leona Lewis and equally classy/talented until some of the others


Series 5 Runner UP: JLS


JLS are the biggest boyband in the UK right now, and slowly taking the world by storm.


Host; Dermot in the house


Judges: Brian Friedman dropped coz let's face it, he wasn't very good, Louis begged to return. Sharon leaves and big one: CHERYL COLE of UK All Girl Group GIRLS ALOUD arrives and rapidly becomes Britain's new sweetheart (and Simon's looking at the sexual chemistry) which her warm Geordie tones, beauty, fashion trends and habit of bursting into tears whenever she's wearing waterproof mascara and a fella Geordie is doing well.

X FACTOR SERIES 6

Winner: Joe McElderry. The whitest smile in England (after Cowell of course)


Runner Up: Olly Murs


HOst: Dermot O Leary, housewives' fave once again


Same judges, notice how much more close-ups Cheryl gets. Press makes noise about Dannii getting jealous, being cold shouldered etc.

The X Factor TV show | application, qualification, eligibility, forms etc

What's the eligibility requirements for The X Factor auditions?

Well, you need to check at The X Factor official website http://xfactor.itv.com as they can change without notice or from series to series.

Generally the qualifications for The X Factor are (but again...CHECK THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE. I TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY MISSED CHANCES AT MEGASTARDOM!!):

1. You have to be a resident of the United Kingdom with a valid passport.

2. They have different age requirements, it used to be 14 years of age, but I think it's now 16. And if you're under 18 you need the signed permission of a guardian/parent. If you belong to a band/group, each parent/guardian will need to sign for each member

3. You can't be employed by ITV, Fremantle (the producers) or related companies etc

4. You have to tell the production company if you have any criminal or civil actions against you or in process or if you've been in prison or had any convictions. And generally you can't tell any porkie pies on your form.

You can either fill in an application form online or download the form and send it into them. But you can also turn up at the auditions without a form too.

As for the X Factor application form itself, it's short and sweet, just your contact details, photo, name, age, usual stuff. Plus your preferred city for the auditions (London, Birmingham etc) And then tick yes or no if you've auditioned for The X Factor before and if you're a solo artist/group. The trickiest part is filling out a couple lines "describe yourself/your group in ten words". And "why should we pick you" Pretty simple stuff, would probably take around 20 minutes to fill in...not bad for a chance at SUPER-MEGA-WHOPPER-STARDOM wouldn't you say?

(well maybe not quite guaranteed SUPER-MEGA-WHOPPER-STARDOM, read the post about what the first X Factor winner Steve Brookstein is doing now. But then again, read this post about how much big coinage that Simon Cowell whatshisname dude is earning)

As always, good luck, we are totally rootin' tootin' for ya, and just DO IT!

The X Factor Auditions! Calling all bands, singers and would-be popstars!

Here is a reminder of the auditions for series 2010 of The X Factor! Be the new Joe McElderry or JLS! 

You can simply turn up to the venues on the dates specified. You don't need to have applied beforehand, just show up...what do you have to lose (...your dignity, your precious time...nevermind)

And don't think because thousands and thousands of people will be there, there's no point in your showing up. ITV say that you will get a chance to audition unless the capacity for the venue is maxed out, but since they picked huge venues, you stand every chance. No excuses now!



The London Auditions for The X Factor UK are on Saturday 1st May 2010 and Sunday 2nd May 2010. Venue: Excell

The weather forecast is cloudy with rain, so The X Factor team want to remind you to bring along your waterproof jackets, warm clothes and umbrellas since they expect large line ups.

They advise NOT to travel by car since there will be limited parking in the area. As for public transport, you can take the DLR line and get off at Prince Regent station.

The Birmingham Auditions for The X Factor UK are on Saturday 24th April 2010 at the enormous LG Arena.

For the Dublin X Factor auditions, you will have to be at Croke Park on Saturday 15th May 2010. 


Good luck to all you auditionees, we are rooting for ya and look forward to seeing you on the actual X Factor 2010 show!

For more details visit The X Factor official website: xfactor.itv.com

Happy auditioning! (or more like waiting in the rain, looking out for Dermot and wondering if you will remember the lyrics)