The X Factor



The X Factor is a British reality show which searches the UK to find new performing artists/groups and was created by Simon Cowell (who served as a judge on the show from 2004-2010 and 2014 to present). It has been broadcast on ITV since 2004 and has had eleven series.

From Series 1-5, contestants performed to the judges in a room before it was replaced in Series 6 by performing in a arena in front of a live audience as well as the judges. Since Series 10, both room and area auditions are used with room first then arena. After getting past this, contestants reach Bootcamp and later Judges Houses. The contestants who succeed Judges Houses then take part in the live finals with the final being roughly before Christmas.

Kate Thorton presented the series from Series 1-3 before being replaced by Dermot O'Leary for Series 4 until his final series, Series 11. On 16 April 2015, it was announced that singer and Series runner-up Olly Murs and TV presenter Caroline Flack (who previously presented X Factor's spin-off show The Xtra Factor together in 2011 and 2012) who takeover from O'Leary as the show's presenters.

There have been eleven winners: Steve Brookstien, Shayne Ward, Leona Lewis, Leon Jackson, Alexandra Burke, Joe McElderry, Matt Cardle, Little Mix, James Arthur, Sam Bailey and Ben Haenow.

Presenters

 * Kate Thornton - 2004-2006


 * Dermot O'Leary - 2007-2014


 * Olly Murs & Caroline Flack - 2015-

Judges

 * Simon Cowell - 2004-2010, 2014-


 * Louis Walsh - 2004-


 * Sharon Osbourne - 2004-2007, 2013


 * Brian Friedman - 2007


 * Dannii Minogue - 2007-2010


 * Cheryl Fernandez-Versini - 2008-2010, 2014


 * Gary Barlow - 2011-2013


 * Tulisa Contostavalos - 2011-2012


 * Kelly Rowland - 2011


 * Nicole Scherzinger - 2012-2013


 * Mel B - 2014-