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The X Factor 2009 and beyond

 

The X Factor is, put simply, a singing competition which is held annually in the UK. The first series ran in 2004 and the X Factor has remained essential viewing for many viewers since. The contest has seen some changes over the years, and some judges or mentors have come and gone. Series one ran from September until early December but in recent years each year's competition has lasted a little longer.

The format is very similar to that of American Idol, which is not surprising when you consider Simon Cowell's involvement. One of the main differences is that the performers are from a much wider spectrum and those selected will form four groups, each with their own mentor.

The mentors are allocated their group at a later date but the four people are:-

Simon Cowell         Danni Minogue         Louis Walsh        Cheryl Cole

The four categories are:-

Over 25's       Groups        Males under 25        Females under 25

For 2009 the format has been slightly changed and the auditions are being held in front of a live audience. This was Simon Cowell's idea and was taken from the Britain's Got Talent format. As my favourite part of the X Factor is the audition process I was not sure how much I would like the new auditions. Suffice to say though it looks as if I, and many other viewers, will be as hooked as in the past.

2006 saw Leona Lewis win this competition and go on to be a world wide success. The winner for 2007 was a young Scottish lad, Leon, who has had limited success. Last year's winner Alexandra Burke seems to be having sucess, but that said so do JLS, the group that were the runners up.

With the amount of dross on British televsion the X Factor looks set to keep viewers on the edge of their seats during the Autumn and Winter months. The BBC though is fighting back and Strictly Come Dancing is due to start shortly. I know where my remote will land though.

The X Factor runs until Christmas and usually the competition winner is secured a number one UK hit for Christmas. Along the way we shall no doubt see tantrums, tears, bitchiness and more, and that's only the mentors.

So watch this space. This zone will hopefully hold updated information about the best and worst performers and potential winners and losers.

Read Ethel's X Factor blog, on this zone, for the latest results, gossip and more.

                      

X Factor 2009 ended on Sunday 13th December when Joe McElderry was crowned this year's winner. Read this zone's blog for indepth info about the contest and final.

Congratulations JOE

by Ethel Smith

The X Factor is a television show that has become an annual event in the UK. X Factor is in much the same vein as American or Pop Idol, in that it is a televised singing contest. The X Factor is a lit...More>
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SIMON COWELL


photo by Cliff

Love him or loathe him, one things for sure, Simon Cowell is hard to ignore. These days Simon is a well known figure on both sides of the pond and has been instrumental in Britain's Got Talent, Pop Idol, The X Factor and American Idol.

His opinion is sought after and much respected and he does seem to have his finger on the pulse. The competitors, as one, all value Simon's opinion above all of the other judges come mentors.

LOUIS WALSH


photo by Garry Knight

A little older, I think, than Simon, Louis is an Irish record producer. With bands such as Westlife, Girls Aloud and Boyzone as past or present artists he has a wealth of experience. However at times his judgement appears flawed alongside of Simon's.

DANNI MINOGUE

Sister of Kylie Minogue Danni was the one to have the more successful singing career in Australia initially. Somehow she never quite made it in the Uk but is seen these days on shows such as the X Factor.

As a performer herself she has much to offer the aspiring performers.

CHERYL COLE

2009 is Cheryl's second year as an X Factor judge come mentor. 2008 saw one of her acts become the ultimate winner of X Factor.

Cheryl is married to an English footballer, Ashley Cole, and is a singer with UK girl group, Girls Aloud. Along with Danni she adds the glamour to the show.

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Ethel's X Factor Blog

on Dec 13, 09 at 08:02 PM

X Factor results show kicked off at 7.30pm on ITV. It will run for 2 hours and will be followed by a Susan Boyle special. Of course on ITV 2 there will be Xtra Factor at 9.30pm The show started with the glamorous judges and a performance by the other finalists from the original 12. Look backs over yesterday's final and adverts galore before Olly sang his choice from X Factor 2009-Twist and Shout. Joe went for an upbeat Don't stop believing.

Both were great. Round one to Joe though, just slightly. Voting lines still open.

Last year's winner Alexandra Burke performed her hit single Bad Boys and was joined on stage by last year's runners up JLS The performance was rounded up with a joint performance of JLS hit single Put Your Hands Up.

 2006 X Factor winner Leona Lewis was up next, before bot

on Dec 12, 09 at 08:55 PM

At the end of tonight's 2 hour show one of the three finalists will be eliminated.

The show kicked off showing each of the three's visit to their own home this week. Accompanied by their mentor they went home and received the red carpet.

The first to perform was Stacey Soloman. This round had each contestant singing the song they performed months ago at their X Factor audition. For Stacey this was What A Wonderful World. Her voice was beautifully controlled but perhaps the performance was too understated to catch votes.

Olly's song was Superstition. This time he danced less but had dancers performing with him. This rendition was perhaps to frivolous for the finals.

So it was up to Joe to be Goldilocks and get it just right. An emotional Dance With My Father Again was perfect.

Voting lines

on Dec 12, 09 at 10:15 AM

Tonight, 12th December 2009, will see the X Factor final. It is hard to believe that the show is already at that stage. Usually, as this show ends for another year, Americal Idol is about to burst onto UK television. Yet another show that it is so easy to become addicted to.

The 10th December had the finalists holding a press conference and they all seemed understandably excited but also overawed. Let's hope nerves do not get the better of any of them.

In previous years, the X Factor final has been shown on the Saturday night in one show, but this year the last instalment of the current series is due to be shown on Sunday December 13. This will clash with the BBCs airing of Sports Personality Of The Year and the BBC are not happy.

The three finalists

The show, on ITV, is to have each contestant dueting with

on Dec 07, 09 at 07:15 AM

Despite his talent and excellent performances on Saturday night's show Danyl was eliminated from X Factor. I guess he just did not gel with the voting audience.

Lady GaGa performed as stragely as ever, this time in a huge bath.

Janet Jackson appeared to lip sync.

Olly, Stacey and Joe are now through to next weekend's X Factor final.

on Dec 06, 09 at 01:00 PM

Apologies but this post includes corrected information.

Sunday's semi-final show will be aired on ITV at 19.30 until 20.30. The show will also include a performance by Lady GaGa as well as Janet Jackson.

See you there.

on Dec 05, 09 at 10:33 PM

Today, Saturday, was the semi-final show. The four remaining acts, Olly Murs, Joe Mc Elderry, Stacey Soloman and Danyl Johnson all performed a Michael Jackson song, for their first one of the show.

They were all worthy semi-finalists but for me Joe Mc Elderry stole the show. They each had a second peformance tonight.

Joe's second was as incredible as his first. For me, he is the front runner now. Sunday's results show will include Janet Jackson.

Who will the public send home? Not sure again. It could be Olly or Danyl but really it is anybodies show now. The fate of these four remaining acts is in the hands of the British voting public now. Voting lines are open until part of the way through Sunday's show which kicks of at 8pm on ITV.

on Nov 29, 09 at 08:48 PM

Saturday nights show had the remaining 5 contestants performing twice. Their first performance was one of Take That's and their second an Elton John number. The contestants were fairly equally matched. As Louis was at pains to point out Lloyd was the weakest performer. Perhaps though this will just encourage the voting public to rally around Lloyd. We Brits like to support the underdog.

Best performer of the show was Joe.

The results show had performances by Alicia Keys and Rhiana.

There is no input from the judges from now on and the person eliminated is simply the contestant who has received the lowest public vote.

So who will it be?

First act through to next week's semi final was Stacey so at least there is a girl going through.

Next was Joe, then Danyl and Ollie.

It is goodbye to Lloyd

on Nov 28, 09 at 10:25 AM

I guess there will be as many viewers turning back on to X Factor tonight as turning off. Jedward have made such an impression, both good and bad, that their demise will no doubt affect the show's rating.

I for one feel that at least now the real purpose of the show can be addressed and the count down to the final begin. Each of the 5 remainimg acts will need to up their performance if they want to stay in the running.

This year there is no-one who readily jumps out as being head and shoulders above the other acts, and deserving of the crown. Despite the fact that I really enjoy Ollie's performances for me I think it may have to be young Joe McElderry who is heading that way. He is attractive, seems very sweet, is a litlle shy and has a great voice.

Each week Joe has performed well and oft

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