- For other uses of this term see X Factor.
The X Factor is a 2004 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.
After the initial auditions, each judge was randomly allocated a category (Cowell: solo 25 and over; Walsh: groups; Osbourne: solo 16-25). The judges then chose 12 acts each, and then eliminated 7 of these, and re-interviewed the other 5 at their house, before choosing three acts to go through to the live shows.
The show was 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 was shown first on ITV1 with The Xtra Factor, a companion show looking behind the scenes, was shown on ITV2.
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 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.
A second series of The X Factor is planned; however, judge Sharon Osbourne may be axed after a outburst at winner Steve Brookstein [1].
The X-Factor (Australia) began screening in February 2005 on the Ten Network. The judges were Mark Holden (Australian Idol judge), Kate Ceberano (singer), and John Reid (a Scottish events manager). One of the co-hosts will be Daniel MacPherson (from the soap opera Neighbours and British police drama The Bill).
Finalists
Under 25s
Solo 25 and over
- Rowetta Satchell , 38
- Steve Brookstein, 35
- Verity Keays , 50
Vocal Groups
- 2 To Go (Peter Jones (24), Emma Paine (23))
- G4 (Mathew Stiff (24), Jonathon Ansell (22), Michael Christie (23), Ben Thapa (22))
- Voices With Soul (Grace, Hildia, and Corene)
Results Summary
Orange indicates elimination
Green indicates win
Show Details
Live Show: October 23
Live Show: October 30
| Order
| Artist
| Song (original artists)
|
|
| 1
| Rowetta
| "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" (U2)
|
|
| 2
| 2 To Go
| "Always" (Atlantic Starr )
| Bottom Two
|
| 3
| Cassie
| "Without You" (Mariah Carey)
|
|
| 4
| Verity
| "Wind Beneath My Wings" (Bette Midler)
| Eliminated
|
| 5
| G4
| "Don't Look Back In Anger" (Oasis)
|
|
| 6
| Tabby
| "My Oh My" (Slade)
|
|
| 7
| Steve
| "If You Don't Know Me By Now" (Harold Melvin, Simply Red)
|
|
| 8
| Voices With Soul
| "You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman" (Aretha Franklin)
|
|
Live Show: November 6
Live Show: November 13
Live Show: November 20
Live Show: November 27
* repeated in the second show
Live Show: December 4
* repeated in second show
Live Final: December 11
* repeated in second show
Controversy
The series was controversial from the beginning. Tabloid reports claimed that the show was fixed after it emerged that Louis Walsh had allegedly cheated and tried to help a band that he used to manage get through to the final stages of the show. Footage of Simon Cowell and Sharon Osbourne coaching contestants to argue back to the judges was also being sold over the Internet to the highest bidder.
Simon Fuller, the creator of Pop Idol, claimed that the format was a rip-off of his own show, and filed a law suit against Simon Cowell, despite the fact that he is judge on both shows.
External links
