The Best X-Factor UK Winners, Ranked

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Updated May 15, 2024 14 items
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Vote up the best The X-Factor winners from the UK TV show

Winners of The X-Factor work their way up from public auditions through boot camp to live shows and public voting. The mentorship they receive as part of their journey helps shape their music careers and their winner's singles often take the top spot on the UK's Christmas chart. The level of talent each contestant brings is always impressive, but who are the best winners of original UK version of The X-Factor? Help decide below!

With contestants ranging from solo artists to musical groups, the competition is fierce to make it to the final performances and win over the audience. Although every performer wants to make the audience love them, contestants need the viewers at home to vote to keep them in the competition. But, if they win, they go on to become household names like Little Mix, the first group to win The X-Factor and who broke the record held by the Spice Girls for the highest debut US chart position for a British girl group. With stakes this high, it's no wonder they sing their hearts out. Just like the original viewers who gave these musical artists their win, it's now your chance to vote up the best X-Factor winners.

  • Little Mix
    1

    Little Mix

    Hip hop music, Girl group, Pop music
    201 votes

    Winner: Season 8 (2011)
    Winner's Single: Cannonball
    Mentor: Tulisa

  • Leona Lewis
    2

    Leona Lewis

    Pop music, Neo soul, Contemporary R&B
    105 votes

    Winner: Season 3 (2006)
    Winner's Single: A Moment Like This
    Mentor: Simon Cowell

  • James Arthur
    3

    James Arthur

    Pop rock
    131 votes

    Winner: Season 9 (2012)
    Winner's Single: Impossible
    Mentor: Nicole Scherzinger

  • Alexandra Burke
    4

    Alexandra Burke

    Pop music, Electro, Contemporary R&B
    91 votes

    Winner: Season 5 (2008)
    Winner's Single: Hallelujah
    Mentor: Cheryl

  • Shayne Ward
    5

    Shayne Ward

    Ballad, Blue-eyed soul, Pop music
    74 votes

    Winner: Season 2 (2005)
    Winner's Single: That's My Goal
    Mentor: Louis Walsh

  • Joseph McElderry
    6

    Joseph McElderry

    Pop music, Operatic pop, Contemporary R&B
    68 votes

    Winner: Season 6 (2009)
    Winner's Single: The Climb
    Mentor: Cheryl

  • Louisa Johnson
    7

    Louisa Johnson

    88 votes

    Winner: Season 12 (2015)
    Winner's Single: Forever Young
    Mentor: Rita Ora

  • Sam Bailey
    8

    Sam Bailey

    Pop music, Soul music
    72 votes

    Winner: Season 10 (2013)
    Winner's Single: Skyscraper
    Mentor: Sharon Osbourne

  • Matt Cardle
    9

    Matt Cardle

    Pop music, Pop rock, Alternative rock
    64 votes

    Winner: Season 7 (2010)
    Winner's Single: When We Collide
    Mentor: Dannii Minogue

  • Rak-Su
    10

    Rak-Su

    74 votes

    Winner: Season 14 (2017)
    Winner's Single: Dimelo
    Mentor: Simon Cowell

  • Ben Haenow
    11

    Ben Haenow

    61 votes

    Winner: Season 11 (2014)
    Winner's Single: Something I Need
    Mentor: Simon Cowell

  • Matt Terry
    12

    Matt Terry

    62 votes

    Winner: Season 13 (2016)
    Winner's Single: When Christmas Comes Around
    Mentor: Nicole Scherzinger

  • Leon Jackson
    13

    Leon Jackson

    Adult contemporary music, Pop music, Acoustic music
    63 votes

    Winner: Season 4 (2007)
    Winner's Single: When You Believe
    Mentor: Dannii Minogue

  • Steve Brookstein
    14

    Steve Brookstein

    Blue-eyed soul, Jazz, Soul music
    60 votes

    Winner: Season 1 (2004)
    Winner's Single: Against All Odds
    Mentor: Simon Cowell