The X Factor

The X Factor is coming Fall 2011 to FOX!

It's time. Simon Cowell's return to U.S. television on "The X Factor" arrives Wednesday night, sporting the largest prize in TV history: a $5 million recording contract. The judges are introduced: In addition to Simon, we've got Nicole Scherzinger, L.A. Reid, Paula Abdul, "and introducing..." Cheryl Cole. The opening sequence features big, dramatic moments -- including Paula sobbing like nobody's business, and Simon saying he's "hating this," the whole thing is some kind of bleeped expletive and it's "just not working." Then we get title music that sounds eerily similar to "America's Got Talent." Host Steve Jones explains the whole deal: The first audition in L.A. has 20,000 people waiting to audition, which Steve calls a record audition turnout for the city. The rules: Anyone over 12 can audition, either solo or in a group. Then the judges are introduced -- again. Simon says he "walked away from the number one show in America to start a new show. The whole thing's a gamble." L.A. Reid says he walked away from his job as chairman at Island-Def Jam Records. Cheryl Cole joins the auditions in L.A., and Paula is back, saying she's "looking forward to sitting next to my partner in crime."

The premiere season of the "The X Factor" continues its auditions in Miami and Dallas as the quest for the $5 million recording contract winner continues. First up is Miami, where 29-year-old Ashley Sansone wears a glittery dress and says people mistake her for a pop singer. This doesn't seem like it's going to end well and she says she wants to channel all her energy into the audience and shares that her email address is "unstoppable talent." She doesn't want to sing songs about Gummi Bears. She starts singing what sounds like Janis Joplin's "Piece of My Heart." But she might have spared the show some royalties because her lyrics are completely unintelligible. L.A. Reid says he wanted to slit his wrists while she was singing. Simon says he couldn't understand a word she sang. This kicks off a string of bad acts, including a terrible singer who demands an explanation before leaving the stage, a trio of cowboy-hat-wearing fellas, and a mom-and-daughter duet who call themselves "Dreamgirlz, with a 'z'." Gloria Estefan is apparently hoping the rhythm is going to get someone, as she tries to inspire the waiting contestants. Finally, we get a fresh-faced girl who's got a bunch of family with her. Caitlynne Curtis, 16, shows some serious nerves while she sings just the opening bit of Katy Perry's "Firework." Nicole Scherzinger says "there's room to grow." Simon says that's not good news and suggests that she join a group where she doesn't have to "rely on a fantastic vocal." Simon votes no and Caitlynne starts to cry. Paula's worried a breakdown is coming and runs up to the stage to give Caitlynne a supportive hug. Fed up, Simon tells one of the producers, "I hope this is the worst session." The judges take a break and Simon's none too pleased with the talent in Miami. Paula is worried for Simon. Meanwhile, the next contestant tells us his boss fired him for taking time off to go to the audition

Chicago/Seattle Auditions Episode 3 of The X Factor USA spanned the genre spectrum, with fans of Radiohead, Justin Bieber and traditional country facing judges Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, LA Reid and Nicole Scherzinger at auditions in Seattle. Oh, and one Ms Cheryl Cole made another brief cameo in Chicago...

The show returns for it's fourth series with Dermot O'Leary as the new host. Hopefuls audition for the judges hoping to impress and make it through to the next stage of the competition. Simon decides that new judge Brian isn't working out on the show and decides to ask Louis Walsh to return as his replacement.

The auditions come from Birmingham and Cardiff as more hopefully try and impress the judges. Paris who at 14 last year impressed all the judges but was too young for the competition returns once again. With the competiton now open to 14 year olds and above she manages to impress again and makes it through. Others to impress include Ryan who has been serving in the British Army in Iraq.

More hopefuls good and bad try and impress the four judges in a hope of making it through to the next round of the competition. Dermot is on hand to talk to those who make it through and also to offer comfort to the less successful.

Britain's biggest talent show returns for a brand new series. Judges Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole, Dannii Minogue and Louis Walsh sift through a record-breaking number of applicants, who this year must audition in front of a studio audience and the panel. The heats start in London, before moving on to Manchester and Glasgow. Watch out for Simon and Louis falling out over a pair of Irish twins. Plus, who gives what Simon describes as 'the best first audition I have ever heard'? Dermot O'Leary hosts.

Britain's biggest talent show rolls into Birmingham for auditions along with judges Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole, Dannii Minogue and Louis Walsh and now of course, a live audience. It is Cheryl's birthday - but will it be a day to celebrate? A 22-year-old fellow Geordie girl certainly does tug at Cheryl's heart strings. And the clock is ticking for an ageing Brummie rocker still dreaming of stardom.

The auditions for Britain's biggest talent competition continue, as more wannabe popstars perform in front of the studio audience and judges Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh, Dannii Minogue and Cheryl Cole. As they think ahead to the mentoring stage, all the judges will be hoping for some amazing singers with real star quality. Meanwhile host Dermot O'Leary is on hand to celebrate or commiserate with the contestants.

With Dannii looking after her mini Minogue the panel of power welcomed the first of our celebrity guest judges in Glasgow, the notoriously never lost for words, formally ginger, Geri Halliwell.

Guest judge Katy Perry helps Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole and Louis Walsh select the best solo singers and groups in Dublin as the auditions move to Louis's native Republic of Ireland for the first time since 2006.

Guest judge Natalie Imbruglia helps Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole and Louis Walsh select the best solo singers and groups at the auditions in Birmingham, where highlights include a female duo whose attitude fails to impress Simon. Plus, more from London, where a pair of twins from Paris bring back memories of Jedward for the judges.

The first set of hopefuls audition in front of the judges hoping to gain a place in the next round of the competition. Dermot is on hand to console those who fail to make it through. Frankie Cocozza and Kitty Brucknell are amongst the successful acts who manage to make it through to boot camp. Raymond Harding and Wendy Davis fail to impress though and find their hopes dashed at the first hurdle. Goldie Cheung shocks Gary when she gives him a lap dance and ends up making it through to boot camp.

Dermot O'Leary hosts the second round of auditions, which come from London and Liverpool. Louis Walsh and new judges Gary Barlow, Kelly Rowland and Tulisa Contostavlos are hoping to find talented future stars, but have this week's crop of hopefuls got what it takes to impress them? Strutting their stuff this week are a 45-year-old from Harrow who hopes that this is his chance to shine, a 20-year-old Romeo who professes his love for Kelly and a band whose line-up was finalised only weeks ago. Can they hit the right note with the panel?

Dermot O'Leary hosts the third set of auditions in the search for a new pop sensation. Judges Louis Walsh, Gary Barlow, Kelly Rowland and Tulisa Contostavlos are on the hunt for outstanding talent, but will they find what they are looking for? This week, the tryouts move to a new city, where hopeful performers have lined up for their chance to sing for the panel. Dermot is on hand to celebrate or commiserate with the contestants.

Audtions 2

The first set of hopefuls audition in front of the judges in a closed room enviroment hoping to gain a place in the next phase of the competition. Those hoping to impress include Chloe Jasmine, Blonde Electric, and Reece Bibby.

The second set of hopefuls audition in front of the judges in a closed room enviroment hoping to gain a place in the next phase of the competition where they will have to perform at Wembley Arena in front of a live audience. Stevi Richie, Linzi Martin, Chloe Thwala, Helen Fulthorpe, Michelle Lawson, Only The Young, Concept, Oceane Guyot, Jummy Cheun, Jan Chichorz, and Andrea Faustini are amongst those hoping to impress tonight.

The third set of hopefuls audition in front of the judges in a closed room enviroment hoping to gain a place in the next phase of the competition where they will have to perform at Wembley Arena in front of a live audience.

The talent show returns for its 12th series with Radio One DJ Nick Grimshaw and singer-songwriter Rita Ora joining Simon Cowell and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini on the judging panel. New presenting duo Caroline Flack and Olly Murs host as the search for a potential music star with an amazing voice and that extra special something begins. Tonight's edition will see the start of the auditions, as hopefuls perform in front of the judges and an arena audience of thousands in the hope of securing a place at Boot Camp.

More hopefuls sing in front of the judges and an arena audience of thousands to prove their worth and possibly secure a place at Boot Camp.

Olly Murs and Caroline Flack host proceedings as the audition stages continue, with more hopeful contenders seek to win over the panel and secure a place at the Boot Camp. Doing so will first mean they must face the collective criticism of Simon Cowell, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, Nick Grimshaw and Rita Ora, along with the gathered arena audience.

The UK's most talked about TV show, The X Factor, is back. And this year's series sees the return of some favourite faces as rock royalty Sharon Osbourne, pop sensation Nicole Scherzinger, chart maestro Louis Walsh and The X Factor creator and music mogul Simon Cowell are reunited on the judging panel. They are joined by the nation's favourite TV host, Dermot O'Leary, who is back to guide viewers through all of The X Factor action as well as providing hopefuls with those much-needed ‘Dermot hugs'. Also returning this year are the intimate room auditions. Expect knock out vocals and big personalities as the auditionees find themselves face-to-face in front of the judges in a very personal setting, tackling the first stage in their path to secure a life changing record contract.

Simon Cowell, Louis Tomlinson, Robbie Williams and Ayda Williams return for an exciting fifteenth season of the UK's biggest singing competition, starting with arena auditions at SSE Wembley Arena; with Dermot O'Leary.

The search for a new music superstar continues with the second of the Auditions shows

The search for a new music superstar continues as The X Factor returns to ITV. Heralding the start of a new era for the nation’s most talked about entertainment show, is a brand-new panel with Robbie Williams, Ayda Williams and Louis Tomlinson joining music mogul Simon Cowell as judges.