X Factor

The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent. Created by Simon Cowell, it began in September 2004 and is contested by aspiring singers drawn from public auditions. The seven series of the show to date have been broadcast from August/September through to December. The "X Factor" of the title refers to the undefinable "something" that makes for star quality. The X Factor was devised as a replacement for the highly successful Pop Idol, because Simon Cowell, who was a judge on Pop Idol, wished to launch a show which he owned the television rights to. The original judging panel was Cowell, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh. Dannii Minogue joined the panel in series 4, and Cheryl Cole replaced Sharon in series 5 after she left. After series 7, Cowell and Cole both left to judge the American version of the show whilst Dannii left the show due to being on Australia's Got Talent. Kelly Rowland, Tulisa Contostavlos and Gary Barlow then joined Walsh on the judging panel for series 8.There have been eight winners to date: Steve Brookstein, Shayne Ward, Leona Lewis, Leon Jackson, Alexandra Burke, Joe McElderry, Matt Cardle and Little Mix. The winning contestant's single from 2004 till 2010 was released in time for the end of year chart battle for the UK's Christmas number one, a spot which was gained in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010. The all-new X Factor champion receives a recording contract with record label Syco Music with a stated value of £1 million.