The X Factor is back in our lives - making us ask our loved ones about Christmas plans, and 'what shall we do for New Year's Eve this year?' Thanks Simon and co. for bringing summer to an end.
Anyway, the first episode aired last week and we were laughing, crying and feeling toes emosh with the opening sequence. We're liking this new/old judges line-up and Nicole Scherzinger's impressions were on point.
As for the contestants, Christian Burrows's performance is the one with the most YouTube hits so far - by a long-shot. Could he be an early favourite?
His song - written by himself - was about his brother and yes, we did shed a tear or two (or 22!). Job well done, Christian.
We also loved Caitlyn, who reminded Simon of a young Kelly Clarkson. Funny that - considering she sang a Kelly Clarkson song. Her story did make us feel emotional; she was bullied at school, and struggled with negative comments online.
She'll be feeling happy today because after the first show, she's an early bookies favourite with 6/1 odds.
Watch Caitlyn's performance again here...
Honey G on the other hand has a 50/1 chance of being an X Factor winner - but we still love her - and so does the viewing public.
After last night, a big shout out to Rylan Clark-Neal and Matt Edmonson doing The Xtra Factor - it was so good. And can we just speak about how great this moment was...
Bring it on for episode 2 tonight... 8pm.
It's less than a week away until the new series of X Factor, but to whet your appetite, the glossy new X Factor promo pics have been released and here they are for your viewing pleasure.
Talking about the new judging panel for 2016, Dermot O'Leary said: "When I look at that panel what I want to see, as the host, is unpredictability, expertise and a little bit of insanity. Otherwise you may as well not do the show live, you want those great moments where people chuck water at each other and it's not pre-planned, when people walk off, disagree or steal each other's songs. The more orchestrated it is, the worse it is. But you will only get this type of thing when you've got people who can't be produced. I mean, if they are asked to speak for 30 seconds then we want them to be able to, but you want people who will change their mind at the drop of a hat, that's what instinctive live television is all about. That's why I am excited."
Simon Cowell confessed that he missed Dermot, and he's excited about the new line-up: "Me and Louis have a relationship that goes back a long way. Louis' naughty, the auditions are long days but he makes it much more fun. I was actually thinking that about all of them actually, it's like a little reunion, they are all on great form. Me and Sharon are a bit like Tom and Jerry, but we love each other secretly, and Nicole is slightly nuts, I love that. Then there's Dermot, I missed him so much."
We're excited to have Sharon Osbourne back on our TV screens, and she's just as excited as us: "It feels really right to be back at this time, it feels good. Simon said he wanted the show to be back to the way it was, small audition rooms, he wanted everyone to have fun. Listen, we're all competitive with one another because we all want to win, nobody wants to sit there the last few weeks with no one in your category, but at the same time, we're not so badly competitive. We want to take it seriously but at the same time enjoy what we're doing and have fun on camera and off air too."
Nicole Scherzinger, who is returning to the show which brought the word 'sha-mazing' in to our world, said of the show: "It feels like home sweet home, I've missed the UK and obviously me, Sharon and Louis were together on our last season. I haven't been on a show with Simon in a few years and he's really awesome, he's not as scary as I remember! It's a great feeling on the panel, a really natural, family, homey vibe, nothing is forced and there's a lot of positive, fun energy."
Louis Walsh - who didn't return last year - is excited about returning, mainly because of being with all of the other judges: "Honestly, we all get on so well, but we all have opinions and we all bring different things to the show. Simon is very relaxed and he's very funny this year. And he's looking younger this year, have you noticed? What has he done? Something's happened? Maybe it's the lighting."
Now go behind the scenes on their swish shoot...
The X Factor returns to ITV this Saturday 27 August 2016 at 8pm and Sunday 28 August at 8pm.
Dermot O'Leary has let the cat out of the bag and has revealed when X Factor will be back on our TV screens. Talking on This Morning yesterday, Dermot O'Leary confirmed that the new series will start on 27 August.
Mark your diaries, folks.
He also revealed that he didn't watch the show last year and joked that he was grieving and couldn't bring himself to watch it.
Giving us a glimpse in to the new series, Dermot said that it'll have a more "back to basics" feel, with the reintroduction of the audition rooms.
He said: "I think the other thing this year is it's really warm, it's funny and it doesn't feel cruel."
What's the vibe like with the judges right now? Dermot said: "The judges are getting on very well.
"Sharon being back adds a little bit of oomph to Louis and he stands up to Simon a little bit more and Nicole's brilliant because she's beautiful and intelligent and really funny."
It's a good day for Rylan Clark who has been announced as the new host of the Xtra Factor alongside Matt Edmondson.
Rylan will be returning to his home ground with the role, having competed in the 2012 series of the show.
Though Rylan's career has been going from strength to strength since the X Factor (he's already presented on Big Brother, This Morning and his own show Up Late With Rylan) this will easily be his biggest gig to date.
Rylan was overjoyed with the news (think back to his sobbing and wailing in Nicole Scherzingerhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicole_Scherzinger's face*), saying: "After four years of doing my thing it's finally time for me to go back to where it all began but this time as a HOST of Xtra! I'm thrilled to be part of The X Factor once again and even more excited at the thought of knowing I won't be in the bottom two each week!"
He continued: "I can't wait to get working with Matt and finally find our niche as the odd looking Ant and Dec. I'm so excited to work alongside the judges and Dermot and over the moon to be sharing the coming months with my Nicole as a fully-fledged Scherzy boy once more. Watch out Simon … I'm back!"
We personally cannot wait.
Radio 1 DJ, Matt Edmondson, has been announced as the new Xtra Factor host replacing Rochelle Humes and Marvin Odoom, who presented the 2015 series. It is still unclear whether someone else will join him.
Despite presenting Radio 1's Weekend Breakfast Show since 2013 and often filling in for Scott Mills, 30-year-old Matt is just as well versed in television presenting as he is radio.
He started his career as a reporter for Richard & Judy in 2002 before taking a job as a CBBC presenter from 2004 to 2006 and has since worked on shows for both ITV and Channel 4.
Commenting on his latest role, he said: "I am unbelievably excited about joining The Xtra Factor this year, not least of all because on my first day Louis Walsh walked into my dressing room topless, unannounced."
The Xtra Factor begins in August and will show unseen footage, live interviews and performances from contestants and guest of The X Factor.
Sharon Osbourne, Louis Walsh and Nicole Scherzinger will all be joining Simon Cowell as judges and Dermot O'Leary is set to return as presenter of The X Factor, replacing Caroline Flack and Olly Murs.
We can't wait. Well done, Matt!
Sharon Osbourne, Louis Walsh and Nicole Scherzinger have all signed on the dotted line to come back to the X Factor and share the judges table with Simon Cowell.
Let the wave of nostalgia hit you for a moment...
As you already know, Dermot O'Leary is back as host.
Did Nicole Scherzinger ditch her role in Cats on broadway so that she could start work on the X Factor?
Speculation began when Andrew Lloyd Webber blasted her as "crazy" for pulling out of Cats after he "went out on a limb" to get her the job.
The 68-year-old composer launched a rant against Nicole, 37, claiming she opted out of the musical one week before Broadway rehearsals began, in order to return to X Factor and claimed he was furious with her.
He told The Economist: "A week before we were due to go into rehearsals with Cats, which luckily I'm not producing I have to say, she calls me and says she's decided to do X Factor, having agreed to it.
"She's crazy, but the American producers took a view of, 'Oh fine, we'll get someone else.' She's actually not that well known in America. She's better known here.
"I'm furious because I really believe she's the most fantastically brilliant girl and I went out on a limb to get her at the Palladium and now I look like an absolute t**t with them all.
"Nevermind, there will be another girl on Broadway and Nicole will not get her Tony Award."
Well, now Nicole has responded, and while she didn't confirm if she is returning to the X Factor or not, she insisted that she is still a huge fan of Lord Lloyd Webber and felt blessed to have worked on the West End version of the musical.
She told Radio Times: "I am incredibly blessed to be given so many amazing opportunities, including Cats, but unfortunately we weren't able to make it work this time around.
"I adore and respect Andrew, I'm so grateful for our friendship and can't wait for the opportunity to create more magic together."
A source added: "Being on Broadway is a dream for Nicole but the commitment the show required made her rethink accepting the offer. Nicole also has a music and acting career so needs to find time for that as well."
Would you like to see Nicole return to the judges table?
Rita Ora is reportedly not returning to this year's X Factor and has quit the show, leaving poor old Simon Cowell as the only judge left on the panel.
What is he going to do, we wonder!?
Rita is said to have quit the show to concentrate on her music career and her role in Fifty Shades of Grey.
A show source told The Mirror: "Rita will not be taking part in the show, 2016 is going to be all about her music and her career and that doesn't leave enough time for The X Factor and new talent.
"It means the judging panel will really be shaken up this year but after last year's ratings that might be no bad thing."
Last month Cheryl announced she was not returning to the series. In a statement she said: "I have had such an amazing experience being a judge on the X Factor.
"I have learnt so much and enjoyed nurturing talent but I've missed making music and am excited to be recording again."
Who do you think should be on the judges panel next?
SOURCE: THE MIRROR
We have big news, Pet... Cheryl Fernandez-Versini is reportedly NOT returning to X Factor this year. Yep, Simon Cowell has lost his Geordie Princess, but don't worry, they haven't fallen out over it.
The Sun report that Cheryl is sticking with her music career and Simon will have to find her replacement. He needs to hurry up though, the clock is ticking.
Dermot O'Leary is returning to host the X Factor, and we can't wait to have him back and see his little mic twirl.
Dermot previously hosted the competition for eight years before bowing out to take on other opportunities. Caroline Flack and Olly Murs took over for 2015, but now the immensely popular host is readying his dance moves to do it all again this year.
"I'm very flattered to be asked back to The X Factor, and am currently dusting off my dancing shoes. There is nothing more exciting than hosting live TV on a Saturday night," O'Leary said in an official statement.
"The show is naturally very close to my heart, after having hosted it for eight years. I'm really looking forward to it, and excited to be back".
Big boss Simon Cowell is thrilled: "Dermot's back! Hooray! And so is his dancing! Welcome home Dermot."
The X Factor is undergoing a serious shake-up for 2016. The latest change to the line-up is the loss of hosts Caroline Flack and Olly Murs.
The pair stepped up from The Xtra Factor to host the main show just last year, replacing Dermot O'Leary, but have now made the decision to quit the show.
Olly told The Sun "This was an incredibly hard decision to make and one I didn't take lightly as I've really enjoyed co-hosting The X Factor."
"It's been one big adventure and I loved every minute of it. But my heart belongs to music and I want to concentrate 100% on making my next album and getting back to performing."
Meanwhile, Caroline said "I have had a brilliant time working on The X Factor over the last few years, and hosting the main show was just fantastic, I made some amazing friends."
"I'm looking forward to carrying on working with the team over at ITV."
With the role now open for applications, there's speculation that Dermot may return, while odds are also high for The Voice hosts Emma Willis and Marvin Humes, as well as Rylan and Stephen Mulhern.
The news comes hot on the heels of the announcement that Nick Grimshaw has given up his place on the judging panel after just one series. As for his replacement, it's a battle of two Louis, with One Direction's Louis Tomlinson and Louis Walsh both rumoured to replace him.
SOURCE: The Guardian
There was a Louis Walsh shaped hole in The X Factor judging panel last season after he was axed by Simon Cowell. But after Nick Grimshaw has confirmed he's leaving the show, it looks like Simon might be eating his words and bringing Louis back.
A senior X Factor insider has reportedly revealed to The Sun: "This is a complete bolt from the blue that no one expected. Louis is an X Factor legend and Simon wants him back for the live shows. They're great friends."
Apparently, another show source told the paper that Louis is returning as Simon's just really missed him. "The reality is that Simon has missed Louis right from the start. It hasn't felt the same for him without Louis - and viewers feel the same.
"Louis could annoy a lot of people, but he was brilliant at creating the drama required to make a show like X Factor worked."
The source also added that Louis will even help launch a new Irish version of the show. "It's a massive coup for Louis who is also going to sign a deal with Simon to help launch Ireland's Got Talent as a judge."
And as if that wasn't enough to take in, the source also reveals plans for Strictly Come Dancing style paddle boards for scoring the wannabe chart-toppers. "We're looking at the judges scoring each contestant for singing ability and their 'X factor'. It will make the live shows more exciting."
Nick's spokesperson has confirmed his exit, saying: "After careful consideration, Nick's decided to rule himself out as a judge on this year's X Factor. He loved working on last year's series alongside Rita, Cheryl and Simon but it was very much a once-in-a-lifetime experience. He remains a massive fan of the show and is looking forward to watching it this year."
Looks like it's all change for The X Factor 2016.
SOURCE: The Sun
