The X Factor Xplained!
Last updated at 09:54 08 December 2004
It's the Saturday night ITV1 talent show that has caught the public's imagination.
After nationwide auditions to find a singer or group with the 'X Factor', 50,000 hopefuls, aged from 16 to 81, were whittled down to just nine who now sing live on the show and then face the public's vote and the wrath of brutal judges.
At stake is a £1million record contract. Roberta Howett was the first of the finalists to be shown the door. But what do new viewers need to know? Here, we present The X Factor files . . .
What you need to know:
Profiles of contestants:
Stories and gossip:
2 to Go say X Factor judge cruel
Verity: In-fighting cost me X Factor spot
Scandals from behind the scenes
Cowell in legal battle with Fuller
Backslapping is the Xtra factor
Roberta's tears over X Factor exit
Picture galleries
Message boards:
Join our chat about the show on our special X Factor message board
Vote:
Check back every day for more gossip and pictures!
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