About The X Factor

The X Factor is a TV talent show which originated in the UK, before launching in many other countries around the World. “X Factor” refers to the star quality which is generally considered to be essential for any entertainer.

The format begins with the general public turning up to audition, before a panel of judges pick which acts to take through to the live shows. During the live shows, the viewers vote on who to eliminate, with one act usually being eliminated each week.

Simon Cowell devised the show, following on from his previous success with Pop Idol, which followed a similar format. The similarities between the Pop Idol and X Factor formats led to Pop Idol creator Simon Fuller filing a lawsuit against the X Factor Producers, as well as Simon Cowell’s company. An Out of Court settlement was quickly reached, and The X Factor has continued to grow, and has now been adopted by many other countries around the World, including Netherlands, Australia, Colombia and Denmark.

The champion of X Factor in the UK wins a recording contract with Simon Cowell’s company, and is usually given the opportunity to compete for the coveted Christmas number one spot, something which X Factor winners achieved for four consecutive years, from 2005-2008. This stranglehold over the Christmas number one spot frustrated many music fans, who began to rebel against X Factor, and a hugely successful Internet campaign in 2009 led to a battle for the Christmas number one spot between 2009 X Factor winner Joe McElderry and 1990s Rock band Rage Against The Machine. Rage Against The Machine’s expletive-heavy Killing In The Name Of pipped Joe McElderry’s debut single for the Christmas number one, but Joe McElderry’s single The Climb topped the charts the following week.

X Factor contestants have had mixed success in the charts; while some

X Factor Judges

The UK X Factor Judges

winners such as Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke have gone on to become very successful artists in their own right, other winners such as Leon Jackson – and most notably Steve Brookstein – have struggled to make any impact on the charts. Leona Lewis and Alexandra are the only female winners of X Factor so far, and all of the Male winners have had limited chart success,

leading to some fans’ concerns over a “curse” on male winners. Several acts who failed to win the show have enjoyed chart success, including JLS, although most have faded into obscurity after a single hit, merely clinging onto their 15 minutes of fame.

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