List of The X Factor (UK) finalists

The X Factor is a British television music competition that first aired in 2004. As of December 2013, there have been ten completed series. The final round of the competition features a number of solo singers or vocal groups: nine in series 1, twelve in series 2-6 and 10, 16 in series 7, 8 and 11, and 13 in series 9 and 12. A total of 155 acts have reached the finals of their series.

During the first three series, the finalists were split into three groups: "16-24s", "25-and-overs" (renamed "over 25s" in series 2, though still often referred to as "25-and-overs" in series 2 and 3) and "groups". Each set of contestants was mentored by one of the show's judges, Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh. From series 4 onwards, the 16-24s were subdivided into girls and boys categories as a fourth judge, Dannii Minogue, joined the show. Following Osbourne's exit from the show after series 4, Cheryl Cole replaced her. In series 7, the over 25s were changed to over 28s, before being changed back for series 8. Also in series 8, Cowell, Minogue and Cole all left the show, leaving Walsh as the only judge to return from the previous year. He was joined on the panel by Gary Barlow, Kelly Rowland and Tulisa Contostavlos. In series 9, Rowland left the show, Barlow, Walsh and Contostavlos returned as judges from the previous year. Nicole Scherzinger joined the panel as a replacement for Rowland. The over 25s were changed to over 28s again in series 9, and then back to over 25s in series 10. Osbourne also returned to the panel in series 10, replacing Contostavlos. Cowell and Cole returned for series 11, replacing Barlow and Osbourne. Mel B joined the panel in series 11, replacing Scherzinger. Rita Ora and Nick Grimshaw joined the panel in series 12, replacing Mel B and Walsh. Walsh, Scherzinger and Osbourne returned to the panel in series 13, replacing Grimshaw, Ora and Cole.

As of series 10, all five categories have won the show on at least one occasion, while seven of the show's nine judges have had the winning act in their category at least once, with Cowell winning three times, Cole and Minogue winning twice, and Walsh, Contostavlos, Scherzinger, Osbourne and Ora winning once. The only judges not to win were Barlow, Grimshaw, Rowland and Mel B, with Rowland, Mel B and Grimshaw's best performance being third place in 2011, 2014 and 2015 respectively (their only series) and Barlow placing second in 2011 (the first of his three years on the panel). Osbourne failed to win the show in her initial stint, but won on her return in series 10.

Contestants

     – Winner

     – Runner-up

     – Third place

• On four occasions, contestants have left the show under different circumstances than regular elimination. In series 4, Emily Nakanda withdrew from the show in response to allegations that she had assaulted a schoolmate prior to her appearance on the show. Nakanda was told that she would be removed anyway if she did not withdraw.^[1] In series 8, Frankie Cocozza was removed from the show after breaking a "golden rule" of the show. In the ninth series, Lucy Spraggan withdrew in week 5 of the live shows due to illness, after not performing in week 4, and not having had a full rehearsal session for week 5.^[2] Brooks Way withdrew from series 13 by murual agreement after being absent from the first live show, due to events in the personal life of one of the band's members.^[3]
• Little Mix were originally known on the show as "Rhythmix" until they changed their name following pressure from a children's charity with the same name.^[4]
• In 2011, four contestants were eliminated from the show following the first live show by the judges, without facing a public vote, so should be listed as finishing joint 13th. However, following the removal of Cocozza several weeks later, the public were given the opportunity to vote for one of the four contestants to return.^[5] With 48% of votes cast, Amelia Lily was reinstated to the show. As a result, 2 Shoes, Jonjo Kerr, and James Michael are classed as joint 14th with Lily going on to finish in third place.

References

External links

• Official website