The summer is slowly coming to an end, the nights are getting darker and the woolies are creeping their way back into our wardrobes … that must only mean one thing, its X Factor time!
The most talked about entertainment show on TV returns to our screens this Saturday at 8:30pm.
The show sees former ‘frenemies’ Simon Cowell and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini reunited on the judging panel, joined by new signing, straight-talking Spice Girl Mel B, and of course renowned music manager Louis Walsh, who returns for another series.
We can expect drama, banter and bickering as the all-new judging panel set out to uncover star quality like never before but for now here’s your brief ‘all you need to know about X Factor 2014 guide’.
Performers will once again tackle two sets of tough audition rounds – first the intimate closed rooms in one of four cities – Manchester, London, Newcastle and Edinburgh. Should they impress and get a yes from three or more judges, they secure a spot to sing at the SSE Arena in Wembley to prove they can impress a live audience of thousands.
But the pressure won’t end there; once through the arena stage, the hopefuls go through once again to Boot Camp and the return of the tense ‘six chair challenge’, with each chair representing a coveted place at their category’s Judge’s House.
The hopefuls will once again be banded in one of four categories – the Over 25s, the Groups, The Boys and the Girls.
For the first time since 2008, the competition has lowered its age limit, with any performer over the age of 14 able to audition.
Sarah-Jane Crawford takes the job of this years X Factor host!
As one of the UK’s most in-demand presenters, Sarah Jane has quickly established herself as a TV pro and DJ.
She currently hosts the afternoon show on one of the UK's biggest urban music channels, BBC Radio 1Xtra, as well as voicing MTV’s The Official UK Urban Chart rundown.
And now as a massive fan of The X Factor, she will be finding out all the xtra news that viewers want to know.
“I’m so excited about the new role. It’s a dream job,” she told the press.
Here’s a quick glimpse of Sarah Jane in action:
Dermot O’Leary returns to host the show, presiding over all the drama, tears, joy and heartache, as well as lending the hopefuls a much-needed shoulder to cry on as they perform in front of the most formidable panel yet.
When asked about the new panel and disagreeing with the judge’s decisions Dermot said: “I’m a soft touch; I wouldn’t say I’d put everyone through, but you get to know people and you get to know their families and the fact that they do jobs that they don’t particularly want to do and they have a fair degree of talent.
"So when you see someone whose audition doesn’t go that well I do feel quite bad for them.”
Oh Dermot such a softie, we don’t think X Factor would be the same without him.
Our newest resident judge on the X Factor UK panel this year is the one and only … Mel B!
And on hearing reports from her judging skills on the Australian X Factor, we're excited.
When asked to describe herself as a judge she replied: "As a judge I would like to think that I’m just really honest. I just call it how it is and whatever I see and whatever I feel, I just express that."
Mel also admitted that she thinks “the judges are very competitive. Especially this year … oh yeah.”
Maybe Scary Spice will make a comeback?
Don’t recognize the name?
Just in case you missed it or have been living under a rock for the last while, Cheryl Cole wed her boyfriend of three months in July and plans to use his name on this year's X Factor.
Just in case you think announcer Peter Dickson got her name wrong!
Cheryl is delighted to be back on the show and when ask why she made the decision to return she replied: “Well, aside from a lot of begging and grovelling on Mr Cowell’s part, it just felt like the right time to come back. I’d had enough time away to appreciate it and get really excited to find new talent again."
One to keep on your radar!
Eighteen-year-old Chris Leonard is allegedly the only Irish singer to make it through to this year's X Factor live shows.
According to reports Chris is said to have secured a spot in Simon Cowell’s newest boyband creation along with seven others.
And if you can’t wait any longer … here is your first listen.
Tune in to X Factor at 8.30pm on TV3 followed by the Xtra Factor.
The #XFactorUK is back on #TV3 on August 30th @ 8pm! Let the battle begin... #XFactor pic.twitter.com/nin7ku8NMJ
— Virgin Media Television (@VirginMedia_TV) August 21, 2014