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The X Factor (UK series 4)
Encyclopedia
The fourth UK series of The X Factor
was broadcast on ITV
in autumn 2007. The first show aired on 18 August 2007 and the series was won by Leon Jackson
on 15 December 2007, with Rhydian Roberts the runner-up and Dannii Minogue
emerging as the winning mentor. The show's fourth run saw a number of changes to the format, most notably the lowering of the minimum age for participants from 16 to 14 and the increase in the number of categories from three to four resulting from the division of the under-25s into separate male and female categories.
The series hit the headlines even before recording began. Some of the controversy centred upon whether 14 and 15-year-olds should be eligible to enter, and also on the high-profile dismissals of judge Louis Walsh
and presenter Kate Thornton
, to be replaced by choreographer and Grease Is the Word
judge Brian Friedman
and Big Brother's Little Brother host Dermot O'Leary
respectively. Before hiring Freidman and Minogue, Cowell had apparently approached colleague and fellow American Idol
judge Randy Jackson
, and close friend and X Factor mentor Sinitta. Walsh, however, was quickly reinstated, with Friedman becoming the show's choreographer. Jackson's prize as winner was a £1 million recording contract. His first single release was
"When You Believe
", arranged for the finalists by composer Stephen Schwartz
and released to download on 16 December 2007, with the physical format following on 19 December. The single became that year's Christmas Number One in the UK Singles Chart
. The series was Sharon Osbourne's final series as a judge and was replaced the following year
by Girls Aloud star Cheryl Cole
.
, Birmingham
, Sheffield
, Cardiff
, Glasgow
, Manchester
and Belfast
. Eight thousand people attended an open audition at Emirates Stadium
(home of Arsenal F.C.
), London, on 9 June 2007. Due to the record number of applications an additional open audition was held at Birmingham Alexander Stadium in Birmingham on 21 July 2007.
Auditionees needed a minimum of three "yes" votes (previously two) from the judges to proceed to the next round.
Hotel in Oxfordshire
, where the acts were whittled down to 12 in each category (48 acts in total). The next episode, showing the second round at the Apollo Theatre
in London
, was screened a few hours later. Here the acts were further reduced to six in each category – a total of 24 acts. After this, the judges were told which category they were to mentor. These were:
; Sharon Osbourne to Los Angeles
; Louis Walsh to Dublin; and Dannii Minogue to Ibiza
. As in previous series the judges, now disbanded, were joined by an adviser to help them make decisions. Simon Cowell was joined by former pop star Sinitta; Sharon Osbourne by Pussycat Dolls
lead singer Nicole Scherzinger
; Louis Walsh by Westlife
singer Kian Egan
; and Dannii Minogue by songwriter
and music producer
Terry Ronald
. The judges' houses stage was broadcast over a two-part weekend special. Episode 9 on Saturday 6 October showed all 24 acts performing for a place in their mentor's top three and, subsequently, the live shows. The final twelve were revealed the day after on Sunday 7 October.
The acts eliminated in this round were:
, who had appeared in all three previous series, had been sacked. This, along with the additional category, created vacancies for two new judges to join the original panel of Sharon Osbourne
and Simon Cowell
. The new judges were initially confirmed as Dannii Minogue
and Brian Friedman
.
Friedman appeared as a judge at early auditions, but on 22 June 2007 it was announced that he had stood down after discussing with Cowell that he was struggling in the role. Walsh was then reinstated and rejoined Cowell, Osbourne and Minogue at the Manchester auditions. Friedman remained on the show as a performance coach and choreographer, billed on screen as "Creative Director". Suggestions that Walsh's firing and rehiring was concocted to generate publicity were denied.
Commenting on Friedman's replacement by Walsh, Osbourne said that there was no "chemistry" within the original judging lineup, and that the atmosphere was "very uncomfortable". Cowell stated that the atmosphere was "very weird". For his part, Friedman said he felt "incredibly let down with the British talent".
In a clip of the show that aired at the ITV
Autumn Launch, Osbourne said that she felt it was "her year to win", adding: "If I don't win I will fire myself – before someone else does!"
Following the departure of series 1–3 presenter Kate Thornton
, Dermot O'Leary
took over as host for series 4. In an interview with ITV Head of Entertainment and Comedy, Paul Jackson
, O'Leary said he was still getting used to handling the rejected at the auditions: "I'm still trying to work it out. It's an emotionally exhausting show to do."
Note: All ages given are as of the start of the live shows in October 2007.
Key:
.
Series 4 saw the continuation of the themed live show format, in which the acts sing songs according to a different musical theme or genre each week. This format was introduced in series 3. Each week a celebrity guest connected to the theme performed in the results show, and some of the guests – Céline Dion
, Boyz II Men
, Girls Aloud
and Michael Bublé
– also coached the acts in rehearsal. Series 3 winner, Leona Lewis
, appeared as a guest on the first live show on 20 October. During the results show she performed a premiere
of her new single, "Bleeding Love
", from her debut album, Spirit
. Series 2 winner, Shayne Ward
, also appeared as a guest on the fourth live show. He performed his latest single, "Breathless
", from his second album
of the same name during the results show on 10 November. Westlife
appeared on the sixth live show on 24 November singing "I'm Already There
" from their 2007 album Back Home
. Duran Duran
sang "Notorious
" and "Nite Runner" during the seventh live show results on 1 December.
The rules relating to judges' votes in the results show changed from previous series. In the past, the decision as to which act was sent home each week was made by the three judges (from which there would always be a majority). Now, with four judges, if there was a two-way tie (billed on the show as "deadlock") the act with the fewest votes from the public would be eliminated, otherwise the judges' decision would stand.
With the appointment of Brian Friedman
as choreographer, finalists used dance routines more frequently during their live performances in comparison to previous series.
Three acts (previously two for series 1 and 3) competed in the grand finale for the £1 million recording contract.
Contrary to reports about a change of venue, the live shows for this series continued to be broadcast from The Fountain Studios. Unlike past series there was no dramatic change in the set
, only minor alterations and space created for a larger audience.
It was reported that the producers of the show hired a counsellor to help the contestants deal with the pressure of appearing in the live shows each week.
Judges' votes to eliminate:
Kimberley Southwick was duly eliminated by a 2-1 majority.
Judges' votes to eliminate:
Daniel DeBourg was duly eliminated by a 3-1 majority.
Emily Nakanda withdrew from the competition during the preceding week and did not appear. Her mentor Sharon Osbourne
did not get another act to replace her.
Judges' votes to eliminate:
Futureproof were duly eliminated by a 3-1 majority.
Judges' votes to eliminate:
Andy Williams was duly eliminated by a 3-1 majority.
Judges' votes to eliminate:
Alisha Bennett was duly eliminated by a 3-1 majority.
Judges' votes to eliminate:
The judges reached a 2-2 split (deadlock). Presenter Dermot O'Leary referred to the earlier public vote and announced that Beverley Trotman had received the lowest number of votes from the public. She was duly eliminated.
Each act performed two songs. For the first time this series there was no final showdown and the judges did not vote; the act with the fewest votes from the public was eliminated.
After the finalists sang their first songs, highlights from the series were shown. After their second songs, some of the more memorable auditions were shown, followed by a performance of "One Moment in Time
" by some of the auditionees.
asked Osbourne for her vote she claimed to have left the show, saying, "I'm out—gone". It later emerged that Osbourne was dissatisfied with the last-minute rescheduling of the programme from 17:45 to 17:30, claiming that fewer people saw the performance of her act, Kimberley Southwick, as she was first on stage. After a considerable amount of media
coverage, including Paul O'Grady
apparently convincing Osbourne to return live on his chat show
, it was confirmed on 23 October by Osbourne's spokesman that the judge would return to the show. A newspaper source explained that leaving prematurely would have been breach of contract
and the legal repercussions would have made it in Osbourne's interests to return to the panel.
, she stated, referring to Minogue, "She knows she's there because of her looks, not because of her contribution to the music industry." In a press conference held on Wednesday December 12, 2007, when asked why she had been publicly talking about Minogue, Osbourne said "It's an even playing field, Dannii speaks about me, I speak about her." Minogue said in turn "I've looked up to Sharon and Louis for years and I wanted to be part of that gang. But when they're slating you, you think: 'Please don't, I really like you.'" Cowell admitted that Osbourne did not feel comfortable about having a new judge and that Osbourne and Minogue would never be "the best of buddies," adding that if Osbourne wanted to leave the show, he would let her (in fact, Osbourne left after series 4). The Daily Mail reported that Cowell was forced to sit the judges down, asking them to maintain a civil relationship with each other behind the scenes. The apparent flirting between Cowell and Minogue also generated comment in the popular media.
said at the ITV
Autumn Launch: "We tried to be bit more impartial as judges, and that, you'll see a lot more of on X Factor. There's still competition within the judges but our job essentially is to find a star." This ethic was put into practice with the judges working together at the bootcamp. At the live stages, the acts were no longer introduced with their mentors at the start of the show. Only the judges were introduced, after which the individual performances began.
Fearne Cotton
became the new host of The Xtra Factor on ITV2
, following Ben Shephard
's resignation. Shephard reportedly quit because he was not given the job of lead X Factor host on ITV.
's Autumn launch on 12 July 2007, Simon Cowell
discussed the upcoming series. He said that in previous years the programme had been more like a "popularity contest" than a talent show. When asked about the standard of talent, Cowell said: "It's in a different league this year... we're going to have the best 12 [finalists] we've ever seen". This came with comments that the series 4 auditions had gone "brilliantly".
Series 4 also saw more emphasis placed on the international standing of The X Factor, with Simon Cowell
calling it the "biggest show in Europe" with around 150,000 auditioning for the series. Referring to the impact that the international success of series 3 winner Leona Lewis
had had on the show, Dannii Minogue
said at the Sheffield auditions: "I think that Leona has completely upped the ante now on this show, and there's no turning back. We're looking for an international standard of acts that can sell millions of albums". In response to the expectation of a raised standard of talent on the show, producers tried with series 4 to assemble what Dermot O'Leary
called an "international panel of judges"; this was particularly the case with the original judging lineup that included Brian Friedman
. There were also more international contestants in series 4, with two acts from the United States
, numerous acts from Japan
and a Brazil
ian act auditioning.
Nevertheless, Cowell said before the first live show that "I think we could be heading for a train wreck," referring to the fact that the public did not believe any of the final 12 this year were as good as the previous year's winner, Leona Lewis. But he added, "But if you take Leona out of the equation, they weren't that good last year. As a whole, we've probably got the most talented 12 we've had. We just haven't had the chance to showcase them properly yet."
received at least 1,100 complaints from would-be voters for Rhydian Roberts, the runner-up of the series, saying that despite calling numerous times they were unable to get through to vote for Roberts. The programme said the high number of calls meant some people were greeted by engaged tones.
ITV
denied the allegations, commenting that "As all numbers go through to the same lines and vote platform it is impossible for there to be any bias in favour or against a particular contestant." ITV confirmed that Leon performed strongly throughout the series and won on the night of the final by around 10% of the popular vote. A subsequent Ofcom investigation found that Roberts had not been unfairly disadvantaged.
The second episode was another ratings success and attracted more viewers than all of the other terrestrial channels combined. The show peaked at 10 million viewers with an average of 8.5 million, beating its rival DanceX
(the finale) on BBC One
which attracted 3.6 million.
The third episode attracted 8.7 million viewers, which was considerably more than BBC One's Eurovision Dance Contest
which achieved an audience of 3.8 million viewers. Viewing figures remained strong in the fourth episode, averaging 8.2 million viewers. The fifth episode featuring auditions generated 7 million viewers and a 43% share of audience. The sixth and final episode featuring auditions attracted another strong audience which peaked at 9.2 million and averaged with 8 million and an audience share of 45%.
The seventh and eighth episodes in the series featured the successful candidates auditioning at boot-camp. Despite competition from BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing
, The X Factor received the highest viewing figures, beating Strictly Come Dancing by 2.1 million viewers and receiving 6.8 million in total. The second part of the show attracted 7.2 million viewers. The ninth instalment won 7.5 million viewers, narrowly beating the live launch of Strictly Come Dancing, which had 7.2 million.
The final of The X Factor on December 15 scored highly in the ratings with a peak audience of 12.1 million. The first part of the show attracted an average of 11.4 million viewers, whilst the second half averaged with 11.7 million viewers. This was the highest rating, in terms of total viewership, for all four series of the show.
The X Factor (UK)
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. It is the originator of the international X Factor franchise. The seven series of the show to date...
was broadcast on ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
in autumn 2007. The first show aired on 18 August 2007 and the series was won by Leon Jackson
Leon Jackson
Leon Jackson is a Scottish singer-songwriter. He won the fourth series of British talent show The X Factor in 2007. Following his win, Jackson was the main star of his on-web series entitled Leon's Life, which ran from 2007 until 2008...
on 15 December 2007, with Rhydian Roberts the runner-up and Dannii Minogue
Dannii Minogue
Danielle Jane "Dannii" Minogue is an Australian singer-songwriter, actress, television personality, radio personality, fashion designer and model...
emerging as the winning mentor. The show's fourth run saw a number of changes to the format, most notably the lowering of the minimum age for participants from 16 to 14 and the increase in the number of categories from three to four resulting from the division of the under-25s into separate male and female categories.
The series hit the headlines even before recording began. Some of the controversy centred upon whether 14 and 15-year-olds should be eligible to enter, and also on the high-profile dismissals of judge Louis Walsh
Louis Walsh
Louis Walsh is an Irish music manager and judge on the British television talent show The X Factor.-Band manager:...
and presenter Kate Thornton
Kate Thornton
Kate Thornton is an English journalist and television presenter. Early in her career, she was notable for her articles at the Daily Mirror and for her role as editor of Smash Hits magazine...
, to be replaced by choreographer and Grease Is the Word
Grease Is the Word
Grease Is the Word was the UK version of NBCs Grease: You're the One that I Want!. It aired during Spring/Summer 2007, and was produced by Syco TV ....
judge Brian Friedman
Brian Friedman
Brian L. Friedman, is an American dancer and choreographer, and has created the choreography for many popular music artists - such as Britney Spears, Beyoncé Knowles and Mariah Carey - as well as for music videos, concert tours and television and film productions.-Early life:Friedman was born in...
and Big Brother's Little Brother host Dermot O'Leary
Dermot O'Leary
Dermot O'Leary is an English television and radio presenter. He established himself as a presenter of Big Brother's Little Brother on Channel 4 before moving on to The X Factor on ITV. O'Leary has also presented on the BBC and has his own radio show on BBC Radio 2...
respectively. Before hiring Freidman and Minogue, Cowell had apparently approached colleague and fellow American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
judge Randy Jackson
Randy Jackson
Randall Darius "Randy" Jackson is an American bassist, singer, record producer, music manager, A&R executive, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is best known as a judge on American Idol and executive producer for MTV's America's Best Dance Crew...
, and close friend and X Factor mentor Sinitta. Walsh, however, was quickly reinstated, with Friedman becoming the show's choreographer. Jackson's prize as winner was a £1 million recording contract. His first single release was
"When You Believe
When You Believe
"When You Believe" is an Academy Award-winning song by American recording artists Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston. The song was written and composed by Stephen Schwartz for the 1998 DreamWorks animated feature The Prince of Egypt. A version of "When You Believe" was produced as a single with...
", arranged for the finalists by composer Stephen Schwartz
Stephen Schwartz (composer)
Stephen Lawrence Schwartz is an American musical theatre lyricist and composer. In a career spanning over four decades, Schwartz has written such hit musicals as Godspell , Pippin and Wicked...
and released to download on 16 December 2007, with the physical format following on 19 December. The single became that year's Christmas Number One in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. The series was Sharon Osbourne's final series as a judge and was replaced the following year
The X Factor (UK series 5)
The fifth UK series of The X Factor was broadcast on ITV in 2008. The series started on 16 August and was won by Alexandra Burke on 13 December, with new judge Cheryl Cole emerging as the winning mentor. Auditions in front of producers were held in April/May, with callbacks in front of the judges...
by Girls Aloud star Cheryl Cole
Cheryl Cole
Cheryl Ann Cole is an English pop and R&B recording artist, songwriter, dancer, actress and model. She rose to fame in late 2002 when she auditioned for the reality television show Popstars: The Rivals on ITV. The programme announced that Cole had won a place as a member of the girl group, Girls...
.
Auditions
Initial auditions with producers took place in April and May 2007, with callbacks in front of the judges in June. The number of applicants reached an all-time high with 150,000 people auditioning in the cities of LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
, Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
, Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
and Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
. Eight thousand people attended an open audition at Emirates Stadium
Emirates Stadium
Ashburton Grove, currently known as the Emirates Stadium, is a UEFA elite football stadium which is home to Arsenal FC, where they moved from Highbury in 2006. It has an current capacity of 60,361, and there have been rumours of an expansion...
(home of Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
), London, on 9 June 2007. Due to the record number of applications an additional open audition was held at Birmingham Alexander Stadium in Birmingham on 21 July 2007.
Auditionees needed a minimum of three "yes" votes (previously two) from the judges to proceed to the next round.
Bootcamp
Series 4 saw all four judges work together at the bootcamp, rather than disband to manage their own categories as happened in previous series. Bootcamp was broadcast over a two-part show on Saturday 29 September. Episode 7 showed the first round at the Heythrop ParkHeythrop Park
Heythrop Park is an early 18th century country house southeast of Heythrop in Oxfordshire. It was designed by the architect Thomas Archer in the Baroque style for Charles Talbot, 1st Duke of Shrewsbury. A fire in 1831 destroyed the original interior. From 1922 until 1999 Heythrop housed first a...
Hotel in Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire is a county in the South East region of England, bordering on Warwickshire and Northamptonshire , Buckinghamshire , Berkshire , Wiltshire and Gloucestershire ....
, where the acts were whittled down to 12 in each category (48 acts in total). The next episode, showing the second round at the Apollo Theatre
Apollo Theatre
The Apollo Theatre is a Grade II listed West End theatre, on Shaftesbury Avenue in the City of Westminster. Designed by architect Lewin Sharp for owner Henry Lowenfield, and the fourth legitimate theatre to be constructed on the street, its doors opened on 21 February 1901 with the American...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, was screened a few hours later. Here the acts were further reduced to six in each category – a total of 24 acts. After this, the judges were told which category they were to mentor. These were:
- Simon Cowell: Groups
- Dannii Minogue: Boys
- Sharon Osbourne: Girls
- Louis Walsh: Over 25s
Judges' houses
In the "judges' houses" round, each judge chose three of their remaining six acts to go forward and represent them on the live shows. The locations for the round were confirmed during episode 8 on September 29; they were later revealed by Louis Walsh not to be the judges' real homes. Simon Cowell took his six acts to MarbellaMarbella
Marbella is a town in Andalusia, Spain. It is situated on the Mediterranean Sea, in the province of Málaga, beneath the La Concha mountain. In 2000 the city had 98,823 inhabitants, in 2004, 116,234, in 2010 approximately 135,000....
; Sharon Osbourne to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
; Louis Walsh to Dublin; and Dannii Minogue to Ibiza
Ibiza
Ibiza or Eivissa is a Spanish island in the Mediterranean Sea 79 km off the coast of the city of Valencia in Spain. It is the third largest of the Balearic Islands, an autonomous community of Spain. With Formentera, it is one of the two Pine Islands or Pityuses. Its largest cities are Ibiza...
. As in previous series the judges, now disbanded, were joined by an adviser to help them make decisions. Simon Cowell was joined by former pop star Sinitta; Sharon Osbourne by Pussycat Dolls
Pussycat Dolls
The Pussycat Dolls are an American pop girl group and dance ensemble based in Los Angeles; currently consisting of Lauren Bennett, Vanessa Curry, Kristal "Lyndriette" Smith, Tiffany "Taz" Zavala, Kia Hampton and Paula Van Oppen. The Pussycat Dolls were founded by choreographer Robin Antin in 1995...
lead singer Nicole Scherzinger
Nicole Scherzinger
Nicole Prescovia Elikolani Valiente Scherzinger is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, record producer, model, and actress. Scherzinger is perhaps best known for being the lead vocalist of the Pussycat Dolls....
; Louis Walsh by Westlife
Westlife
Westlife are an Irish boy band established on 3 July 1998. They are to disband in 2012. The group's line-up was Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Shane Filan, and Brian McFadden . The group are the only act in British and Irish history to have their first seven singles peak at number one...
singer Kian Egan
Kian Egan
Kian John Francis Kelly Egan was a member of the Irish boyband, Westlife and coach on The Voice of Ireland.-Music career:*Main article: Westlife...
; and Dannii Minogue by songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
and music producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
Terry Ronald
Terry Ronald
Terry Ronald is a songwriter and producer from London who has worked with a variety of different singers and bands.-Biography:...
. The judges' houses stage was broadcast over a two-part weekend special. Episode 9 on Saturday 6 October showed all 24 acts performing for a place in their mentor's top three and, subsequently, the live shows. The final twelve were revealed the day after on Sunday 7 October.
The acts eliminated in this round were:
- Boys: Luke Bayer, Charlie Finn, Dominic Harris
- Girls: Victoria Closs, Kimberley Howlett, Stephanie Woods
- Over 25s: Daniel Boulle, Icaro Taborda, Zyta Zebihi
- Groups: Ghostt, I Sette Cantanti, W4
Judges and presenters
In March 2007 it was reported that judge Louis WalshLouis Walsh
Louis Walsh is an Irish music manager and judge on the British television talent show The X Factor.-Band manager:...
, who had appeared in all three previous series, had been sacked. This, along with the additional category, created vacancies for two new judges to join the original panel of Sharon Osbourne
Sharon Osbourne
Sharon Rachel Osbourne is an English television host, author, music manager, businesswoman and promoter as well as the wife of heavy metal singer-songwriter Ozzy Osbourne....
and Simon Cowell
Simon Cowell
Simon Phillip Cowell is an English A&R executive, television producer, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is known in the United Kingdom and United States for his role as a talent judge on TV shows such as Pop Idol, The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent and American Idol...
. The new judges were initially confirmed as Dannii Minogue
Dannii Minogue
Danielle Jane "Dannii" Minogue is an Australian singer-songwriter, actress, television personality, radio personality, fashion designer and model...
and Brian Friedman
Brian Friedman
Brian L. Friedman, is an American dancer and choreographer, and has created the choreography for many popular music artists - such as Britney Spears, Beyoncé Knowles and Mariah Carey - as well as for music videos, concert tours and television and film productions.-Early life:Friedman was born in...
.
Friedman appeared as a judge at early auditions, but on 22 June 2007 it was announced that he had stood down after discussing with Cowell that he was struggling in the role. Walsh was then reinstated and rejoined Cowell, Osbourne and Minogue at the Manchester auditions. Friedman remained on the show as a performance coach and choreographer, billed on screen as "Creative Director". Suggestions that Walsh's firing and rehiring was concocted to generate publicity were denied.
Commenting on Friedman's replacement by Walsh, Osbourne said that there was no "chemistry" within the original judging lineup, and that the atmosphere was "very uncomfortable". Cowell stated that the atmosphere was "very weird". For his part, Friedman said he felt "incredibly let down with the British talent".
In a clip of the show that aired at the ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
Autumn Launch, Osbourne said that she felt it was "her year to win", adding: "If I don't win I will fire myself – before someone else does!"
Following the departure of series 1–3 presenter Kate Thornton
Kate Thornton
Kate Thornton is an English journalist and television presenter. Early in her career, she was notable for her articles at the Daily Mirror and for her role as editor of Smash Hits magazine...
, Dermot O'Leary
Dermot O'Leary
Dermot O'Leary is an English television and radio presenter. He established himself as a presenter of Big Brother's Little Brother on Channel 4 before moving on to The X Factor on ITV. O'Leary has also presented on the BBC and has his own radio show on BBC Radio 2...
took over as host for series 4. In an interview with ITV Head of Entertainment and Comedy, Paul Jackson
Paul Jackson (producer)
Kevin Paul Jackson , credited as Paul Jackson; sometimes as K. Paul Jackson, is a British television director, producer and executive.-Career in television:...
, O'Leary said he was still getting used to handling the rejected at the auditions: "I'm still trying to work it out. It's an emotionally exhausting show to do."
Categories and finalists
Twelve acts made it through to the live shows.Note: All ages given are as of the start of the live shows in October 2007.
Key:
- – Winner
- – Runner Up
- – Withdrew
| Category (Mentor) | | Acts | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Boys (Dannii Minogue) | Leon Jackson Leon Jackson Leon Jackson is a Scottish singer-songwriter. He won the fourth series of British talent show The X Factor in 2007. Following his win, Jackson was the main star of his on-web series entitled Leon's Life, which ran from 2007 until 2008... |
Rhydian Roberts | Andy Williams |
| Girls (Sharon Osbourne) | Alisha Bennett | Emily Nakanda | Kimberley Southwick |
| Over 25s (Louis Walsh) | Daniel DeBourg Daniel DeBourg Daniel DeBourg is an English pop singer, songwriter, former dancer and model. In 2007, he was a finalist on the fourth UK series of the TV talent show, The X Factor.-Early life:... |
Niki Evans Niki Evans Niki Evans is an English actress and singer. She is best known for her appearance in the fourth UK series of the popular television talent show The X Factor in 2007. She is currently appearing as Mrs. Johnstone in the current UK national tour of Blood Brothers.-Pre X Factor:Niki Evans has sung... |
Beverley Trotman |
| Groups (Simon Cowell) | Futureproof | Hope | Same Difference Same Difference Same Difference can refer to:* Same Difference, a British singing duo* Same Difference , an album by Swedish death metal band Entombed* Same Difference , a show which aired on Channel 4... |
Live shows
The live shows commenced on 20 October 2007, a week later than in previous series. This was because of ITV's coverage of the 2007 Rugby World Cup2007 Rugby World Cup
The 2007 Rugby World Cup was the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union competition inaugurated in 1987. Twenty nations competed for the Webb Ellis Cup in the tournament, which was hosted by France from 7 September to 20 October. France won the hosting rights in 2003,...
.
Series 4 saw the continuation of the themed live show format, in which the acts sing songs according to a different musical theme or genre each week. This format was introduced in series 3. Each week a celebrity guest connected to the theme performed in the results show, and some of the guests – Céline Dion
Celine Dion
Céline Marie Claudette Dion, , , is a Canadian singer. Born to a large family from Charlemagne, Quebec, Dion emerged as a teen star in the French-speaking world after her manager and future husband René Angélil mortgaged his home to finance her first record...
, Boyz II Men
Boyz II Men
Boyz II Men is an American R&B vocal group best known for emotional ballads and a cappella harmonies. They are the most successful R&B group of all time, having sold more than albums worldwide. In the 1990s, Boyz II Men found fame on Motown Records as a quartet, but original member Michael McCary...
, Girls Aloud
Girls Aloud
Girls Aloud are a British and Irish pop girl group based in London. They were created through the ITV1 talent show Popstars The Rivals in 2002. The group consists of Cheryl Cole , Nadine Coyle, Sarah Harding, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh. They are signed to Fascination Records, a Polydor...
and Michael Bublé
Michael Bublé
Michael Steven Bublé is a Canadian singer. He has won several awards, including three Grammy Awards and multiple Juno Awards. His first album reached the top ten in Canada and the UK. He found worldwide commercial success with his 2005 album It's Time, and his 2007 album Call Me Irresponsible was...
– also coached the acts in rehearsal. Series 3 winner, Leona Lewis
Leona Lewis
Leona Louise Lewis is a British singer and songwriter. Lewis first came to prominence in 2006 when she won the third series of the British television series The X Factor....
, appeared as a guest on the first live show on 20 October. During the results show she performed a premiere
Premiere
A premiere is generally "a first performance". This can refer to plays, films, television programs, operas, symphonies, ballets and so on. Premieres for theatrical, musical and other cultural presentations can become extravagant affairs, attracting large numbers of socialites and much media...
of her new single, "Bleeding Love
Bleeding Love
"Bleeding Love" is a pop/R&B ballad co-written by Jesse McCartney and Ryan Tedder and produced by Tedder for British singer Leona Lewis's debut album, Spirit. The song is the album's lead single , released in the United Kingdom and Ireland in October 2007...
", from her debut album, Spirit
Spirit (Leona Lewis album)
Spirit is the debut album by British singer Leona Lewis, released by Syco Music in November 2007 in the United Kingdom and Ireland, followed by a worldwide release during early 2008...
. Series 2 winner, Shayne Ward
Shayne Ward
Shayne Thomas Ward is an English pop singer who rose to fame as the winner of second series of The X Factor. He has sold over 3 million records worldwide and has had number one albums and singles in 9 countries.During The X Factor competition, Ward was mentored by manager Louis Walsh...
, also appeared as a guest on the fourth live show. He performed his latest single, "Breathless
Breathless (Shayne Ward song)
"Breathless" is a song by the second United Kingdom X Factor winner Shayne Ward. It was released as his fifth single and 2nd and final single for his second album on November 19, 2007. On Valentine's day 2008 the song was announced as number 2 on the UK's greatest love songs of all time...
", from his second album
Breathless (Shayne Ward album)
Breathless is the second solo studio album by British pop singer and winner of The X Factor, Shayne Ward. Record label Syco Music released it in the United Kingdom on 26 November 2007. The album is mostly written by Rami Yacoub, Arnthor Birgisson and Savan Kotecha. The album was commercially...
of the same name during the results show on 10 November. Westlife
Westlife
Westlife are an Irish boy band established on 3 July 1998. They are to disband in 2012. The group's line-up was Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Shane Filan, and Brian McFadden . The group are the only act in British and Irish history to have their first seven singles peak at number one...
appeared on the sixth live show on 24 November singing "I'm Already There
I'm Already There
I'm Already There is the fourth album released by American country music band Lonestar. Released in 2001 on BNA Records , the album was certified platinum by the RIAA for sales of one million copies....
" from their 2007 album Back Home
Back Home (Westlife album)
Back Home is the eighth studio album and ninth album overall by Irish boy band Westlife and it was released on 5 November 2007. The album debuted at #1 on the Official UK Album Charts, selling 132,000 copies in its first week of release and remained in the top three spots for eight consecutive weeks...
. Duran Duran
Duran Duran
Duran Duran are an English band, formed in Birmingham in 1978. They were one of the most successful bands of the 1980s and a leading band in the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" of the United States...
sang "Notorious
Notorious (song)
"Notorious" is the 14th single by Duran Duran. It was released internationally by EMI on 20 October 1986. "Notorious" was the first single issued from the album Notorious, and the first released by Duran Duran as a 3-piece band after the departure of Roger Taylor and Andy Taylor...
" and "Nite Runner" during the seventh live show results on 1 December.
The rules relating to judges' votes in the results show changed from previous series. In the past, the decision as to which act was sent home each week was made by the three judges (from which there would always be a majority). Now, with four judges, if there was a two-way tie (billed on the show as "deadlock") the act with the fewest votes from the public would be eliminated, otherwise the judges' decision would stand.
With the appointment of Brian Friedman
Brian Friedman
Brian L. Friedman, is an American dancer and choreographer, and has created the choreography for many popular music artists - such as Britney Spears, Beyoncé Knowles and Mariah Carey - as well as for music videos, concert tours and television and film productions.-Early life:Friedman was born in...
as choreographer, finalists used dance routines more frequently during their live performances in comparison to previous series.
Three acts (previously two for series 1 and 3) competed in the grand finale for the £1 million recording contract.
Contrary to reports about a change of venue, the live shows for this series continued to be broadcast from The Fountain Studios. Unlike past series there was no dramatic change in the set
Set construction
Set construction is the process by which a set designer works in collaboration with the director of a production to create the set for a theatrical, film or television production...
, only minor alterations and space created for a larger audience.
It was reported that the producers of the show hired a counsellor to help the contestants deal with the pressure of appearing in the live shows each week.
Results summary
Colour key:| – | Contestant was in the bottom two and had to sing again in the final showdown |
| – | Contestant received the fewest public votes and was immediately eliminated (no final showdown) |
| – | Contestant received the most public votes |
| Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round One | Round Two | ||||||||||
| Leon Jackson | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Winner 55% |
|
| Rhydian Roberts | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Runner Up 45% |
|
| Same Difference | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | 3rd 22% |
Eliminated (Week 9) |
|
| Niki Evans | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | Safe | 4th 19% |
Eliminated (Week 8) |
||
| Hope | Safe | Safe | Bottom two | Safe | Bottom two | 5th | 5th 8% |
Eliminated (Week 7) |
|||
| Beverley Trotman | Safe | Safe | Safe | Bottom two | Safe | 6th | Eliminated (Week 6) |
||||
| Alisha Bennett | Bottom two | Bottom two | Safe | Safe | Bottom two | Eliminated (Week 5) |
|||||
| Andy Williams | Safe | Safe | Safe | Bottom two | Eliminated (Week 4) |
||||||
| Futureproof | Safe | Safe | Bottom two | Eliminated (Week 3) |
|||||||
| Emily Nakanda | Safe | Safe | Withdrew (Week 2) |
||||||||
| Daniel DeBourg | Safe | Bottom two | Eliminated (Week 2) |
||||||||
| Kimberley Southwick | Bottom two | Eliminated (Week 1) |
|||||||||
| Withdrew | None | Emily Nakanda | None | ||||||||
| Final showdown | Alisha Bennett, Kimberley Southwick |
Alisha Bennett, Daniel DeBourg |
Futureproof, Hope |
Andy Williams, Beverley Trotman |
Alisha Bennett, Hope |
Beverley Trotman, Hope |
No judges' vote or final showdown: public votes alone decide who is eliminated and who ultimately wins | ||||
| Cowell's vote to eliminate | Kimberley Southwick | Daniel DeBourg | Futureproof | Andy Williams | Alisha Bennett | Beverley Trotman | |||||
| Minogue's vote to eliminate | Alisha Bennett | Daniel DeBourg | Hope | Beverley Trotman | Alisha Bennett | Hope | |||||
| Osbourne's vote to eliminate | Refused to vote | Daniel DeBourg | Futureproof | Andy Williams | Hope | Beverley Trotman | |||||
| Walsh's vote to eliminate | Kimberley Southwick | Alisha Bennett | Futureproof | Andy Williams | Alisha Bennett | Hope | |||||
| Eliminated | Kimberley Southwick 2 of 3 Votes Majority |
Daniel DeBourg 3 of 4 Votes Majority |
Futureproof 3 of 4 Votes Majority |
Andy Williams 3 of 4 Votes Majority |
Alisha Bennett 3 of 4 Votes Majority |
Beverley Trotman 2 of 4 Votes Deadlock |
Hope 8% To Save |
Niki Evans 19% To Save |
Same Difference 22% To Win |
Rhydian Roberts 45% To Win |
|
| Leon Jackson 55% To Win |
|||||||||||
Week 1 (20 October 2007)
- Theme: UK Number #1 Singles
- Celebrity guest: Leona LewisLeona LewisLeona Louise Lewis is a British singer and songwriter. Lewis first came to prominence in 2006 when she won the third series of the British television series The X Factor....
("Bleeding LoveBleeding Love"Bleeding Love" is a pop/R&B ballad co-written by Jesse McCartney and Ryan Tedder and produced by Tedder for British singer Leona Lewis's debut album, Spirit. The song is the album's lead single , released in the United Kingdom and Ireland in October 2007...
")Order Artist Song Results 1 Kimberley Southwick "It's Raining Men It's Raining Men"It's Raining Men" is a song written by Paul Jabara and Paul Shaffer in 1979 originally for Dave Balfour's album Stars , and originally recorded by The Weather Girls in 1982...
"Eliminated 2 Andy Williams "I Don't Want to Talk About It I Don't Want to Talk About It"I Don't Want to Talk About It" is the name of a song written by Danny Whitten. Whitten's band, Crazy Horse released it as a track on their 1971 eponymous album....
"Safe 3 Futureproof "She's the One" Safe 4 Beverley Trotman "I Will Survive I Will Survive"I Will Survive" is a song first performed by American singer Gloria Gaynor, released in October 1978. It was written by Freddie Perren and Dino Fekaris...
"Safe 5 Emily Nakanda "I Knew You Were Waiting (for Me) I Knew You Were Waiting (for Me)"I Knew You Were Waiting " is a song performed by Aretha Franklin and George Michael as a duet in 1987. It was written by Simon Climie and Dennis Morgan.-Music video:...
"Safe 6 Leon Jackson "Can't Buy Me Love Can't Buy Me Love"Can't Buy Me Love" is a song composed by Paul McCartney and released by The Beatles on the A-side of their sixth British single, "Can't Buy Me Love"/"You Can't Do That".-Interpretation:...
"Safe 7 Same Difference "Tragedy Tragedy (song)"Tragedy" is a song recorded by the Bee Gees, included on their 1979 album Spirits Having Flown. The single reached number one in the UK in February 1979 and repeated the feat the following month on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100...
"Safe 8 Niki Evans "Nothing Compares 2 U Nothing Compares 2 U"Nothing Compares 2 U" is a pop song written by American recording artist Prince for one of his side-projects, The Family. However, it wasn't until Sinéad O'Connor recorded her version for the album I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got when it became a worldwide hit, topping charts in 15 countries,...
"Safe 9 Alisha Bennett "Dreams Dreams (Gabrielle song)"Dreams" is the debut single from Gabrielle. Written by Gabrielle and Tim Laws and produced by Richie Fermie, "Dreams" reached number one on the UK singles chart for three weeks in June 1993. The single entered the British charts at #2, which was the highest chart entry a debut act ever scored in...
"Bottom two 10 Rhydian Roberts "I'd Do Anything for Love (but I Won't Do That) I'd Do Anything for Love (but I Won't Do That)"I'd Do Anything for Love " is a song composed and written by Jim Steinman, and recorded by Meat Loaf. The song was released in 1993 as the first single from the album Bat Out of Hell II: Back Into Hell. The title of the song confused some listeners, who were curious to know what "that" is...
"Safe 11 Daniel DeBourg "Heaven Heaven (Bryan Adams song)"Heaven" is a power ballad written by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance and performed by Bryan Adams. The song first appeared on the A Night in Heaven soundtrack album in 1983 and was later included on Adams' album Reckless in 1984...
"Safe 12 Hope "Umbrella Umbrella (song)"Umbrella" is a song recorded by Barbadian singer Rihanna, featuring a rap verse by Jay-Z. The song was written by The-Dream, Christopher Stewart, Kuk Harrell and Jay-Z, and was produced by Stewart and The-Dream for Rihanna's third studio album, Good Girl Gone Bad...
"Safe
Judges' votes to eliminate:
- Sharon OsbourneSharon OsbourneSharon Rachel Osbourne is an English television host, author, music manager, businesswoman and promoter as well as the wife of heavy metal singer-songwriter Ozzy Osbourne....
refused to vote due to two of her acts being in the bottom two. - Simon CowellSimon CowellSimon Phillip Cowell is an English A&R executive, television producer, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is known in the United Kingdom and United States for his role as a talent judge on TV shows such as Pop Idol, The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent and American Idol...
: Kimberley Southwick – Stated that "it's a singing competition". - Dannii MinogueDannii MinogueDanielle Jane "Dannii" Minogue is an Australian singer-songwriter, actress, television personality, radio personality, fashion designer and model...
: Alisha Bennett – Made no comment on either act. - Louis WalshLouis WalshLouis Walsh is an Irish music manager and judge on the British television talent show The X Factor.-Band manager:...
: Kimberley Southwick – Stated that Alisha had the "talent factor" and had much more to give to the competition.
Kimberley Southwick was duly eliminated by a 2-1 majority.
Week 2 (27 October 2007)
- Theme: Movie Themes
- Celebrity guest: Céline DionCeline DionCéline Marie Claudette Dion, , , is a Canadian singer. Born to a large family from Charlemagne, Quebec, Dion emerged as a teen star in the French-speaking world after her manager and future husband René Angélil mortgaged his home to finance her first record...
("Taking ChancesTaking Chances (song)"Taking Chances" is a single by Celine Dion and written by songwriter Kara DioGuardi and ex-Eurythmics member Dave Stewart's band Platinum Weird, taken from their unreleased self-titled album. The song was originally released in February 2007, and later made famous by a cover version by Céline...
")
| Order | Artist | Song | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hope | "Lady Marmalade Lady Marmalade "Lady Marmalade" was also covered by Italian pop star Sabrina. It was released in 1987 as the album's second single by Baby Records. In some countries, including France and the Netherlands, the song was known as "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi? " and was released in 1988.-Track listings:7" maxi#... " |
Safe |
| 2 | Leon Jackson | "Home Home (Michael Bublé song) "Home" is a song recorded by Canadian pop-jazz musician Michael Bublé. It was released on March 31, 2005, as the second single from his album It's Time. The song was written by Bublé, along with Alan Chang and Amy Foster-Gillies. "Home" was a hit for Bublé in both Canada and the United States,... " |
Safe |
| 3 | Beverley Trotman | "I Have Nothing I Have Nothing "I Have Nothing" is a song by American singer Whitney Houston and released as the third single from The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album on February 20, 1993 by Arista Records. The song was written by David Foster and Linda Thompson, and produced by Foster... " |
Safe |
| 4 | Alisha Bennett | "I Say a Little Prayer I Say a Little Prayer "I Say a Little Prayer" is a song written by songwriters Burt Bacharach and Hal David for Dionne Warwick, originally peaking at number four on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart in December 1967.-Background:... " |
Bottom two |
| 5 | Same Difference | "Breaking Free Breaking Free "Breaking Free" is a song from the Disney Channel Original Movie High School Musical. It also appears on the soundtrack of the same name. It is sung by Drew Seeley , Zac Efron, and Vanessa Hudgens. It was also released as a single on September 28, 2006... " |
Safe |
| 6 | Daniel DeBourg | "Build Me Up Buttercup Build Me Up Buttercup "Build Me Up Buttercup" is the name of a song written by Mike d'Abo and Tony Macaulay, and released by The Foundations with Colin Young singing the lead vocals in 1968. This was the third major hit for The Foundations. Colin Young replaced Clem Curtis in 1968 and this was the first Foundations hit... " |
Eliminated |
| 7 | Rhydian Roberts | "The Phantom of the Opera The Phantom of the Opera (song) "The Phantom of the Opera" is a song from the stage musical of the same name, composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, sung by Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford, lyrics written by Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe, and additional lyrics by Mike Batt... " |
Safe |
| 8 | Emily Nakanda | "I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman "I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman" is a song by American recording artist Britney Spears. The song was written by Dido, with additional writing and song production by Max Martin and Rami Yacoub for Spears' third studio album, Britney . It was released on February 5, 2002 by Jive Records, as the... " |
Safe |
| 9 | Futureproof | "If You Don't Know Me by Now If You Don't Know Me By Now "If You Don't Know Me by Now" is a song written by Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff and recorded by the jersey soul musical group Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, which became their first hit after being released as a single in 1972 topping the R&B chart and peaking at number three on the Pop chart.The... " |
Safe |
| 10 | Andy Williams | "Stayin' Alive Stayin' Alive "Stayin' Alive" is a song by the pop group Bee Gees from the Saturday Night Fever motion picture soundtrack. The song was written by the Bee Gees and produced by the Bee Gees, Albhy Galuten and Karl Richardson. It was released on 13 December 1977, as the second single from the Saturday Night Fever... " |
Safe |
| 11 | Niki Evans | "My Heart Will Go On My Heart Will Go On "My Heart Will Go On" is the theme song/love theme of the 1997 blockbuster film Titanic. With music by James Horner, lyrics by Will Jennings, and production by Simon Franglen, James Horner and Walter Afanasieff ,, it was recorded by Céline Dion... " |
Safe |
Judges' votes to eliminate:
- Louis WalshLouis WalshLouis Walsh is an Irish music manager and judge on the British television talent show The X Factor.-Band manager:...
: Alisha Bennett – Backing his own act, Daniel DeBourg. - Sharon OsbourneSharon OsbourneSharon Rachel Osbourne is an English television host, author, music manager, businesswoman and promoter as well as the wife of heavy metal singer-songwriter Ozzy Osbourne....
: Daniel DeBourg – Backing her own act, Alisha Bennett. - Dannii MinogueDannii MinogueDanielle Jane "Dannii" Minogue is an Australian singer-songwriter, actress, television personality, radio personality, fashion designer and model...
: Daniel DeBourg – Made no comment on either act. - Simon CowellSimon CowellSimon Phillip Cowell is an English A&R executive, television producer, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is known in the United Kingdom and United States for his role as a talent judge on TV shows such as Pop Idol, The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent and American Idol...
: Daniel DeBourg – Stated that Alisha had more potential to improve than Daniel.
Daniel DeBourg was duly eliminated by a 3-1 majority.
Week 3 (3 November 2007)
- Theme: Big BandBig bandA big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with jazz and the Swing Era typically consisting of rhythm, brass, and woodwind instruments totaling approximately twelve to twenty-five musicians...
- Celebrity guest: Boyz II MenBoyz II MenBoyz II Men is an American R&B vocal group best known for emotional ballads and a cappella harmonies. They are the most successful R&B group of all time, having sold more than albums worldwide. In the 1990s, Boyz II Men found fame on Motown Records as a quartet, but original member Michael McCary...
("It's The Same Old SongIt's the Same Old Song"It's the Same Old Song" is a 1965 hit single recorded by the Four Tops for the Motown label. Written and produced by Motown's main production team Holland–Dozier–Holland, the song is today one of The Tops' signature songs, and was notably created—from initial concept to commercial...
"/"Reach Out (I'll Be There)"/"End of the RoadEnd of the Road"End of the Road" is a 1992 Grammy Award-winning, number-one song recorded in May 1992 by Boyz II Men for the Motown label. Written and produced by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Antonio "L.A." Reid and Daryl Simmons. It is Boyz II Men's most successful single and replaced Diana Ross and Lionel...
" Medley)Order Artist Song Results 1 Leon Jackson "Fly Me to the Moon Fly Me to the Moon"Fly Me to the Moon" is a popular standard song written by Bart Howard in 1954. It was originally titled "In Other Words", and was introduced by Felicia Sanders in cabarets...
"Safe 2 Futureproof "Can't Take My Eyes Off You Can't Take My Eyes off You"Can't Take My Eyes Off You" is a 1967 single by Frankie Valli. The song was among Valli's biggest hits, reaching #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning a gold record. It was Valli's biggest "solo" hit until he hit #1 in 1975 with "My Eyes Adored You"...
"Eliminated 3 Niki Evans "All That Jazz" Safe 4 Rhydian Roberts "Get the Party Started Get the Party Started"Get the Party Started" is a song performed by Pink, and was the first single from her second album, Missundaztood . It became an international hit and reached the top ten in many countries. The song was Pink's highest selling at that time...
"Safe 5 Same Difference "Reach Reach (S Club 7 song)"Reach" is a song by S Club 7, released as a single on 22 May 2000. "Reach" is an up-tempo track co-written by Cathy Dennis and Andrew Todd .. The lyrics were probably inspired by a Shirley Bassey double A-side of "Reach For The Stars" and "Climb Every Mountain" although the song itself sounds...
"Safe 6 Alisha Bennett "Valerie Valerie (The Zutons song)"Valerie" is a song by the English indie rock band The Zutons from the band's second studio album, Tired of Hanging Around . Released as the album's second single on 19 June 2006 in the United Kingdom, along with their previous single "Why Won't You Give Me Your Love?", it gave The Zutons their...
"Safe 7 Hope "Hanky Panky Hanky Panky (Madonna song)"Hanky Panky" is a song by American singer-songwriter Madonna. It was the second and final single release from her soundtrack album I'm Breathless on June 30, 1990 by Sire Records. The song caused some controversy because of its innuendo and racy lyrics...
"Bottom two 8 Andy Williams "This Guy's in Love with You This Guy's in Love with You"This Guy's in Love with You" is a song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, and recorded by Herb Alpert. Although known primarily for his trumpet playing as the leader of the Tijuana Brass, Alpert sang lead vocals on this solo recording, arranged by Bacharach.The recording's origin occurs, as...
"Safe 9 Beverley Trotman "Feeling Good Feeling Good"Feeling Good" is a song written by English singer-songwriters Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse for the 1965 musical The Roar of the Greasepaint - The Smell of the Crowd starring Cy Grant, who sang the original version of the song...
"Safe
Emily Nakanda withdrew from the competition during the preceding week and did not appear. Her mentor Sharon Osbourne
Sharon Osbourne
Sharon Rachel Osbourne is an English television host, author, music manager, businesswoman and promoter as well as the wife of heavy metal singer-songwriter Ozzy Osbourne....
did not get another act to replace her.
Judges' votes to eliminate:
- Louis WalshLouis WalshLouis Walsh is an Irish music manager and judge on the British television talent show The X Factor.-Band manager:...
: Futureproof – Stated that Hope's performance on the night was "slick and energetic" and Futureproof's was "sloppy". - Sharon OsbourneSharon OsbourneSharon Rachel Osbourne is an English television host, author, music manager, businesswoman and promoter as well as the wife of heavy metal singer-songwriter Ozzy Osbourne....
: Futureproof – Stated that she loved girl band Hope. - Dannii MinogueDannii MinogueDanielle Jane "Dannii" Minogue is an Australian singer-songwriter, actress, television personality, radio personality, fashion designer and model...
: Hope – Stated that neither act had performed well this week, but that Futureproof had delivered better performances in the previous two weeks. - Simon CowellSimon CowellSimon Phillip Cowell is an English A&R executive, television producer, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is known in the United Kingdom and United States for his role as a talent judge on TV shows such as Pop Idol, The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent and American Idol...
: Futureproof – Stated that Hope had greater long-term potential.
Futureproof were duly eliminated by a 3-1 majority.
Week 4 (10 November 2007)
- Theme: 21st century classics
- Celebrity guest: Shayne WardShayne WardShayne Thomas Ward is an English pop singer who rose to fame as the winner of second series of The X Factor. He has sold over 3 million records worldwide and has had number one albums and singles in 9 countries.During The X Factor competition, Ward was mentored by manager Louis Walsh...
("BreathlessBreathless (Shayne Ward song)"Breathless" is a song by the second United Kingdom X Factor winner Shayne Ward. It was released as his fifth single and 2nd and final single for his second album on November 19, 2007. On Valentine's day 2008 the song was announced as number 2 on the UK's greatest love songs of all time...
")
| Order | Artist | Song | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Niki Evans | "Because of You Because of You (Kelly Clarkson song) "Because of You" is a ballad written by pop rock singer Kelly Clarkson with David Hodges and Ben Moody, and produced by Hodges and Moody, both formerly of Evanescence. It is the fourth single from Clarkson's second album, Breakaway... " |
Safe |
| 2 | Same Difference | "I Don't Feel Like Dancin' I Don't Feel like Dancin' "I Don't Feel Like Dancin" is the first single from the second album by the American pop band Scissor Sisters, Ta-Dah. It was written with Elton John, who provides piano for the song, and was the band's first top ten single in Australia and Canada. The song was written by Elton John, Scott Hoffman... " |
Safe |
| 3 | Andy Williams | "Chasing Cars Chasing Cars "Chasing Cars" is the second single from Snow Patrol's fourth album, Eyes Open. It was recorded in 2005 and released on 6 June 2006 in the US and 24 July 2006 in the UK as the album's second single.... " |
Eliminated |
| 4 | Beverley Trotman | "You're Beautiful You're Beautiful "You're Beautiful" is a pop rock song co-written by British singer James Blunt, Sacha Skarbek, and Amanda Ghost for Blunt's debut album Back to Bedlam . It was released as the third single from the album in 2005. In the UK and Australia the song reached number one and number two respectively... " |
Bottom two |
| 5 | Hope | "Back to Black Back to Black (song) "Back to Black" is a song by English recording artist Amy Winehouse. It was released on April 30, 2007 as the third single from her second studio album, Back to Black. It was written by Winehouse and Mark Ronson... " |
Safe |
| 6 | Leon Jackson | "Dancing in the Moonlight Dancing in the Moonlight "Dancing In The Moonlight" is the title song on the 1973 King Harvest album. The track was released as a single in 1972 and it reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100. They released other singles but these were never able to match the success of "Dancing in the Moonlight"... " |
Safe |
| 7 | Alisha Bennett | "Put Your Records On Put Your Records On "Put Your Records On" is a song by English soul singer–songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae from her debut album, Corinne Bailey Rae . Written by Rae, John Beck, and Steve Chrisanthou, it was released as the album's second single in February and early March 2006 throughout Europe and as the lead single in... " |
Safe |
| 8 | Rhydian Roberts | "You Raise Me Up You Raise Me Up "You Raise Me Up" was the debut single from Westlife's fifth studio album, Face To Face.This version is considered by many to be the most popular , of all the various versions of the same song. The single peaked at #1 on the UK Singles Chart, making it the band's 13th Number One. It was the first... " |
Safe |
Judges' votes to eliminate:
- Louis WalshLouis WalshLouis Walsh is an Irish music manager and judge on the British television talent show The X Factor.-Band manager:...
: Andy Williams – Backing his own act, Beverley Trotman. - Sharon OsbourneSharon OsbourneSharon Rachel Osbourne is an English television host, author, music manager, businesswoman and promoter as well as the wife of heavy metal singer-songwriter Ozzy Osbourne....
: Andy Williams – Made no comment on either act. - Dannii MinogueDannii MinogueDanielle Jane "Dannii" Minogue is an Australian singer-songwriter, actress, television personality, radio personality, fashion designer and model...
: Beverley Trotman – Backing her own act, Andy Williams. - Simon CowellSimon CowellSimon Phillip Cowell is an English A&R executive, television producer, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is known in the United Kingdom and United States for his role as a talent judge on TV shows such as Pop Idol, The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent and American Idol...
: Andy Williams – Stated that he believed the public would prefer to see Beverley saved.
Andy Williams was duly eliminated by a 3-1 majority.
Week 5 (17 November 2007)
- Theme: DiscoDiscoDisco is a genre of dance music. Disco acts charted high during the mid-1970s, and the genre's popularity peaked during the late 1970s. It had its roots in clubs that catered to African American, gay, psychedelic, and other communities in New York City and Philadelphia during the late 1960s and...
- Celebrity guest: Girls AloudGirls AloudGirls Aloud are a British and Irish pop girl group based in London. They were created through the ITV1 talent show Popstars The Rivals in 2002. The group consists of Cheryl Cole , Nadine Coyle, Sarah Harding, Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh. They are signed to Fascination Records, a Polydor...
("Call the ShotsCall the Shots"Call the Shots" is a song performed by British all-female pop group Girls Aloud, taken from their fourth studio album Tangled Up . The song was written by Miranda Cooper, Brian Higgins and his production team Xenomania, and produced by Higgins and Xenomania...
")
| Order | Artist | Song | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leon Jackson | "Relight My Fire Relight My Fire "Relight My Fire" is a popular song which was written and released by Dan Hartman in 1979, when it topped the U.S. dance-music charts for six weeks... " |
Safe |
| 2 | Niki Evans | "Hot Stuff Hot Stuff (Donna Summer song) "Hot Stuff" is a hit single released by American singer Donna Summer in 1979 as the first single release from her Bad Girls album through Casablanca Records... " |
Safe |
| 3 | Rhydian Roberts | "Go West Go West (song) "Go West" is a song by the 1970s disco group Village People. The song eventually found greater success when it was covered in 1993 by the synthpop duo Pet Shop Boys.-Village People version:... " |
Safe |
| 4 | Hope | "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! ", originally titled "Been and Gone and Done It", is one of Swedish pop group ABBA's biggest disco hits. It was recorded and released in 1979 with "The King Has Lost His Crown" as the B-side. It appears on ABBA's Greatest Hits Vol... " (incorporating parts of "Hung Up Hung Up "Hung Up" is a song by American singer-songwriter Madonna. It was written and produced in collaboration with Stuart Price, and released as the first single from her tenth studio album, Confessions on a Dance Floor. Initially used in a number of television advertisements and serials, the song was... ") |
Bottom two |
| 5 | Beverley Trotman | "I'm Every Woman I'm Every Woman "I'm Every Woman" is a hit song recorded by Chaka Khan in 1978. It was Chaka Khan's first hit outside of her recordings with funk band Rufus; the song was included on her platinum debut solo album Chaka. Produced by Arif Mardin and written by successful songwriting team Nickolas Ashford and Valerie... " |
Safe |
| 6 | Alisha Bennett | "Young Hearts Run Free Young Hearts Run Free "Young Hearts Run Free" is a disco song by American soul singer Candi Staton. Released in 1976 from the album of the same title, it spent a week at number one on the Hot Soul Singles chart. It also peaked at number twenty on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. Along with the tracks: "Run To Me"... " |
Eliminated |
| 7 | Same Difference | "Blame It on the Boogie Blame It on the Boogie "Blame It on the Boogie" is a disco song, originally released in 1978 both by English singer-songwriter Mick Jackson as well as by The Jacksons , and was later also covered by numerous other artists.-Background:... " |
Safe |
Judges' votes to eliminate:
- Simon CowellSimon CowellSimon Phillip Cowell is an English A&R executive, television producer, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is known in the United Kingdom and United States for his role as a talent judge on TV shows such as Pop Idol, The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent and American Idol...
: Alisha Bennett – Backing his own act, Hope. - Dannii MinogueDannii MinogueDanielle Jane "Dannii" Minogue is an Australian singer-songwriter, actress, television personality, radio personality, fashion designer and model...
: Alisha Bennett – Made no comment on either act. - Sharon OsbourneSharon OsbourneSharon Rachel Osbourne is an English television host, author, music manager, businesswoman and promoter as well as the wife of heavy metal singer-songwriter Ozzy Osbourne....
: Hope – Backing her own act, Alisha Bennett. - Louis WalshLouis WalshLouis Walsh is an Irish music manager and judge on the British television talent show The X Factor.-Band manager:...
: Alisha Bennett - Stated that neither act deserved to be in the final showdown.
Alisha Bennett was duly eliminated by a 3-1 majority.
Week 6 (24 November 2007)
- Theme: Love songLove songA love song is about falling in love and the feelings it brings. Anthologies of love songs often contain a mixture of both of these types of song. A bawdy song is both humorous and saucy, emphasizing the physical pleasure of love rather than the emotional joy...
s - Celebrity guest: WestlifeWestlifeWestlife are an Irish boy band established on 3 July 1998. They are to disband in 2012. The group's line-up was Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Shane Filan, and Brian McFadden . The group are the only act in British and Irish history to have their first seven singles peak at number one...
("Home")
| Order | Artist | Song | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beverley Trotman | "Without You" | Eliminated |
| 2 | Same Difference | "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" is a #1 hit song co-written by Albert Hammond and Diane Warren, recorded by Starship. Featured as the theme to the romantic comedy film Mannequin, it hit #1 in the Billboard Hot 100 on April 4, 1987 and reached #1 on the UK Singles Chart for four weeks the following... " |
Safe |
| 3 | Niki Evans | "The Power of Love The Power of Love (Jennifer Rush song) "The Power of Love" is a power ballad co-written and originally recorded by Jennifer Rush. It has been covered by several artists, most notably by Laura Branigan, Air Supply, and Céline Dion, and translated into several languages, becoming a pop standard.... " |
Safe |
| 4 | Rhydian Roberts | "Somewhere" | Safe |
| 5 | Hope | "Hurt Hurt (Christina Aguilera song) "Hurt" is a power ballad written by Christina Aguilera, Linda Perry and Mark Ronson for Aguilera's third studio album, Back to Basics . The song's lyrical content describes how one deals with the loss of a loved one, and it has received praise from pop music critics... " |
Bottom two |
| 6 | Leon Jackson | "You Don't Know Me" | Safe |
Judges' votes to eliminate:
- Louis WalshLouis WalshLouis Walsh is an Irish music manager and judge on the British television talent show The X Factor.-Band manager:...
: Hope – Backing his own act, Beverley Trotman. - Simon CowellSimon CowellSimon Phillip Cowell is an English A&R executive, television producer, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is known in the United Kingdom and United States for his role as a talent judge on TV shows such as Pop Idol, The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent and American Idol...
: Beverley Trotman – Backing his own act, Hope. - Dannii MinogueDannii MinogueDanielle Jane "Dannii" Minogue is an Australian singer-songwriter, actress, television personality, radio personality, fashion designer and model...
: Hope – Stated that Beverley was more consistent than Hope. - Sharon OsbourneSharon OsbourneSharon Rachel Osbourne is an English television host, author, music manager, businesswoman and promoter as well as the wife of heavy metal singer-songwriter Ozzy Osbourne....
: Beverley Trotman – Stated "I'm doing this for a reason, and you'll realise the reason when I say it. I'm sending home Beverley", implying that she wanted to cause a deadlock.
The judges reached a 2-2 split (deadlock). Presenter Dermot O'Leary referred to the earlier public vote and announced that Beverley Trotman had received the lowest number of votes from the public. She was duly eliminated.
Week 7 (1 December 2007)
- Theme: British classics
- Celebrity guest: Duran DuranDuran DuranDuran Duran are an English band, formed in Birmingham in 1978. They were one of the most successful bands of the 1980s and a leading band in the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" of the United States...
("NotoriousNotorious (song)"Notorious" is the 14th single by Duran Duran. It was released internationally by EMI on 20 October 1986. "Notorious" was the first single issued from the album Notorious, and the first released by Duran Duran as a 3-piece band after the departure of Roger Taylor and Andy Taylor...
")
Each act performed two songs. For the first time this series there was no final showdown and the judges did not vote; the act with the fewest votes from the public was eliminated.
| Order | Artist | First song | Order | Second song | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhydian Roberts | "Somebody to Love Somebody to Love (Queen song) "Somebody to Love" is a song by British rock band Queen. Written by lead vocalist and pianist Freddie Mercury, the track featured on their 1976 album A Day at the Races, and also appears on the band's compilation album, Greatest Hits... " |
10 | "I Vow to Thee, My Country I Vow to Thee, My Country I Vow to Thee, My Country is a British patriotic song created in 1921 when a poem by Sir Cecil Spring-Rice was set to music by Gustav Holst.-History:... /World In Union World in Union (song) "World in Union", with lyrics by Charlie Skarbek, is a theme song for the Rugby World Cup that attempts to capture the spirit of international friendship which pervades rugby union culture the world over.... " |
Safe |
| 2 | Hope | "2 Become 1 2 Become 1 "2 Become 1" is a song by the British pop group Spice Girls. Written by the group members, Matt Rowe and Richard Stannard during the group's first professional songwriting session, it was produced by Rowe and Stannard for the group's debut album Spice, released in November 1996... " |
6 | "We Will Rock You We Will Rock You "We Will Rock You" is a song written by Brian May and recorded and performed by Queen for their 1977 album News of the World. Rolling Stone ranked it #330 of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2004, and the RIAA placed it at #146 on its list of Songs of the Century... " |
Eliminated |
| 3 | Niki Evans | "Total Eclipse of the Heart Total Eclipse of the Heart "Total Eclipse of the Heart" is a song written and produced by Jim Steinman and recorded by Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler for her fifth studio album, Faster Than the Speed of Night... " |
9 | "Fields of Gold Ten Summoner's Tales Ten Summoner's Tales is the fourth solo studio album by the rock musician Sting. The title is a combined pun of his given name, Gordon Sumner, and a character in Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales, the summoner... " |
Safe |
| 4 | Leon Jackson | "Crazy Little Thing Called Love Crazy Little Thing Called Love "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" is a song by the rock band Queen. Written by Freddie Mercury in 1979, the track featured on their 1980 album The Game, and also appears on the band's compilation album, Greatest Hits... " |
7 | "The Long and Winding Road The Long and Winding Road "The Long and Winding Road" is a ballad written by Paul McCartney that originally appeared on The Beatles' album Let It Be. It became The Beatles' 20th and last number-one song in the United States on 23 May 1970, and was the last single released by the quartet... " |
Safe |
| 5 | Same Difference | "Any Dream Will Do Any Dream Will Do (song) "Any Dream Will Do" is a popular song written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice for the 1968 musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat... " |
8 | "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go Wake Me Up Before You Go Go "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" is a song by English pop duo Wham! which was released in 1984 and became their first UK number one hit. It was written and produced by George Michael, one half of the duo... " |
Safe |
Week 8 (8 December 2007)
- Theme(s): Mentor's Choice, Contestant's Choice
- Celebrity guest: Michael BubléMichael BubléMichael Steven Bublé is a Canadian singer. He has won several awards, including three Grammy Awards and multiple Juno Awards. His first album reached the top ten in Canada and the UK. He found worldwide commercial success with his 2005 album It's Time, and his 2007 album Call Me Irresponsible was...
("LostLost (Michael Bublé song)"Lost" is the third single from Michael Bublé's third studio album, Call Me Irresponsible. The song was inspired by the breakup with his former fiancée Debbie Timuss. Bublé performed the song on The X Factor on December 8, 2007. The song was featured in the sixth season of American police...
")
| Order | Artist | First song | Order | Second song | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Niki Evans | "Songbird Rumours Rumours is the eleventh studio album by British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac. Largely recorded in California during 1976, it was produced by the band with Ken Caillat and Richard Dashut and was released on 4 February 1977 by Warner Bros. Records. The record peaked at the top of both the... " |
5 | "One Moment in Time One Moment in Time "One Moment in Time" is an Emmy Award winning song written by Albert Hammond and John Bettis, and recorded by American singer Whitney Houston for the 1988 Summer Olympics and the 1988 Summer Paralympics held in Seoul, South Korea.-History:... " |
Eliminated |
| 2 | Leon Jackson | "The Very Thought of You The Very Thought of You "The Very Thought of You" is a pop standard published in 1934, with music and lyrics by Ray Noble. In addition to Noble's own hit recording of the song with his orchestra, featuring the vocals of Al Bowlly, there was also a popular version recorded that same year by Bing Crosby. A decade later, the... " |
6 | "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You) How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) "How Sweet It Is " is a 1964 hit song written and produced by the Motown songwriting team of Holland–Dozier–Holland. It was originally recorded by American soul singer Marvin Gaye and became one of his most popular songs... " |
Safe |
| 3 | Rhydian Roberts | "Bridge over Troubled Water Bridge over Troubled Water (song) "Bridge Over Troubled Water" is the title song of Simon & Garfunkel's album of the same name. The single was released on January 26, 1970, though it also appears on the live album Live 1969, released in 2008. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on February 28, 1970, and stayed at... " |
7 | "You'll Never Walk Alone You'll Never Walk Alone (song) "You'll Never Walk Alone" is a show tune from the 1945 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Carousel.In the musical, in the second act, Nettie Fowler, the cousin of the female protagonist Julie Jordan, sings "You'll Never Walk Alone" to comfort and encourage Julie when her husband, Billy Bigelow, the... " |
Safe |
| 4 | Same Difference | "Chain Reaction Chain Reaction (song) "Chain Reaction" is a melodic Pop song, sung by Diana Ross, written by the Bee Gees, who also provided the backing vocals for the single. The track was released on the album Eaten Alive in 1985 and as a single twice - in 1985 and again in 1986.... " |
8 | "Never Had a Dream Come True Never Had a Dream Come True "Never Had a Dream Come True" is a song by S Club 7, released as a single on 27 November 2000. It was chosen to be the official 2000 BBC Children in Need song. The song was a great success in the UK, where it became the group's second #1 single on the UK Singles Chart and becoming the ninth... " |
Safe |
Week 9 (15 December 2007, Final)
- Theme: Christmas classicsChristmas musicChristmas music comprises a variety of genres of music normally performed or heard around the Christmas season, which tends to begin in the months leading up the actual holiday and end in the weeks shortly thereafter.-Early:...
, Duet with celebrity guestDuet (music)A duet is a musical composition for two performers. In classical music, the term is most often used for a composition for two singers or pianists; with other instruments, the word duo is also often used. A piece performed by two pianists performing together on the same piano is referred to as...
, Previously performed favourite, Winner's song - Celebrity guests: Kylie MinogueKylie MinogueKylie Ann Minogue, OBE - often known simply as Kylie - is an Australian singer, recording artist, songwriter, and actress. After beginning her career as a child actress on Australian television, she achieved recognition through her role in the television soap opera Neighbours, before commencing...
("WowWow (Kylie Minogue song)"Wow" is a song performed by Australian recording artist Kylie Minogue from her tenth studio album X . The song was written by Minogue, Greg Kurstin and Karen Poole and was produced by Kurstin. "Wow" is a dance song, incorpitate with house and electropop beats. "Wow" was chosen as the album's...
"), Jason DonovanJason DonovanJason Donovan is an Australian actor and singer. He initially achieved fame in the Australian soap opera Neighbours, before beginning a career in music in 1988. In the UK he has sold over 3 million records, and his début album Ten Good Reasons was one of the highest-selling albums of 1989...
and Katherine JenkinsKatherine JenkinsKatherine Jenkins is a Welsh mezzo-soprano. She is a classical-popular crossover singer who performs across a spectrum of operatic arias, popular songs, musical theatre and hymns.-Early life and education:...
| Order | Artist | First song | Second song | Third song | Fourth song (winner's single) | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Same Difference | "All I Want for Christmas Is You" | "Any Dream Will Do Any Dream Will Do Any Dream Will Do may refer to:*"Any Dream Will Do" , from the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice... " sung with Jason Donovan |
"Breaking Free Breaking Free "Breaking Free" is a song from the Disney Channel Original Movie High School Musical. It also appears on the soundtrack of the same name. It is sung by Drew Seeley , Zac Efron, and Vanessa Hudgens. It was also released as a single on September 28, 2006... " |
N/A (Eliminated after third performance) | Third place |
| 2 | Leon Jackson | "White Christmas White Christmas (song) "White Christmas" is an Irving Berlin song reminiscing about an old-fashioned Christmas setting. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the version sung by Bing Crosby is the best-selling single of all time, with estimated sales in excess of 50 million copies worldwide.Accounts vary as... " |
"Better the Devil You Know Better the Devil You Know "Better the Devil You Know" is a dance-pop song written by Stock, Aitken & Waterman for Kylie Minogue's third studio album Rhythm of Love.-Background:... " duet with Kylie Minogue |
"You Don't Know Me" | "When You Believe When You Believe "When You Believe" is an Academy Award-winning song by American recording artists Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston. The song was written and composed by Stephen Schwartz for the 1998 DreamWorks animated feature The Prince of Egypt. A version of "When You Believe" was produced as a single with... " |
Winner |
| 3 | Rhydian Roberts | "O Holy Night O Holy Night "O Holy Night" is a well-known Christmas carol composed by Adolphe Adam in 1847 to the French poem "Minuit, chrétiens" by Placide Cappeau , a wine merchant and poet, who had been asked by a parish priest to write a Christmas poem... " |
"You Raise Me Up You Raise Me Up "You Raise Me Up" was the debut single from Westlife's fifth studio album, Face To Face.This version is considered by many to be the most popular , of all the various versions of the same song. The single peaked at #1 on the UK Singles Chart, making it the band's 13th Number One. It was the first... " duet with Katherine Jenkins |
"Somewhere" | "When You Believe" | Runner-up |
After the finalists sang their first songs, highlights from the series were shown. After their second songs, some of the more memorable auditions were shown, followed by a performance of "One Moment in Time
One Moment in Time
"One Moment in Time" is an Emmy Award winning song written by Albert Hammond and John Bettis, and recorded by American singer Whitney Houston for the 1988 Summer Olympics and the 1988 Summer Paralympics held in Seoul, South Korea.-History:...
" by some of the auditionees.
Osbourne's walkout
During the results of the first live show on 20 October, judge Osbourne walked away from the panel after it was revealed that both the bottom two acts came from her category. This left the three remaining judges (Cowell, Minogue and Walsh) to decide which of the bottom two would leave the contest. When presenter Dermot O'LearyDermot O'Leary
Dermot O'Leary is an English television and radio presenter. He established himself as a presenter of Big Brother's Little Brother on Channel 4 before moving on to The X Factor on ITV. O'Leary has also presented on the BBC and has his own radio show on BBC Radio 2...
asked Osbourne for her vote she claimed to have left the show, saying, "I'm out—gone". It later emerged that Osbourne was dissatisfied with the last-minute rescheduling of the programme from 17:45 to 17:30, claiming that fewer people saw the performance of her act, Kimberley Southwick, as she was first on stage. After a considerable amount of media
News media
The news media are those elements of the mass media that focus on delivering news to the general public or a target public.These include print media , broadcast news , and more recently the Internet .-Etymology:A medium is a carrier of something...
coverage, including Paul O'Grady
Paul O'Grady
Paul James Michael O'Grady MBE is an English comedian, television presenter, actor, writer and radio DJ. He is best known for presenting the daytime chat television series, The Paul O'Grady Show and, more recently, Paul O'Grady Live, as well as his drag queen comedic alter ego, Lily Savage, as...
apparently convincing Osbourne to return live on his chat show
The Paul O'Grady Show
The Paul O'Grady Show was a BAFTA award-winning British comedy chat show hosted by Birkenhead-born comedian Paul O'Grady. The format was originally devised by Granada Television and was broadcast on ITV before moving to Channel 4...
, it was confirmed on 23 October by Osbourne's spokesman that the judge would return to the show. A newspaper source explained that leaving prematurely would have been breach of contract
Breach of contract
Breach of contract is a legal cause of action in which a binding agreement or bargained-for exchange is not honored by one or more of the parties to the contract by non-performance or interference with the other party's performance....
and the legal repercussions would have made it in Osbourne's interests to return to the panel.
Alleged feuds and alliances
During the filming of The X Factor, there was much media speculation about rumoured feuds between the judges, most notably between Sharon Osbourne and Dannii Minogue. One report emerged of a backstage argument just 15 minutes before they were due to go live on television. On one show, Minogue criticised contestant Niki Evans's tuning, which prompted Niki's mentor, Louis Walsh, to suggest live on television that Minogue herself could not sing. Minogue then reportedly missed part of the results show as she was crying. In an interview published on December 2, 2007, Minogue stated "As for Sharon, you don't click with everybody. But it's her choice not to be friends. Apparently she's envious because I'm younger and prettier.", and in another that she felt "younger and prettier" compared with the other judges. During Osbourne's appearance on The Graham Norton ShowThe Graham Norton Show
The Graham Norton Show is a British comedy chat show that is broadcast on BBC One in the United Kingdom. It was originally shown on BBC Two from February 2007 to May 2009 until it moved to BBC One from October 2009...
, she stated, referring to Minogue, "She knows she's there because of her looks, not because of her contribution to the music industry." In a press conference held on Wednesday December 12, 2007, when asked why she had been publicly talking about Minogue, Osbourne said "It's an even playing field, Dannii speaks about me, I speak about her." Minogue said in turn "I've looked up to Sharon and Louis for years and I wanted to be part of that gang. But when they're slating you, you think: 'Please don't, I really like you.'" Cowell admitted that Osbourne did not feel comfortable about having a new judge and that Osbourne and Minogue would never be "the best of buddies," adding that if Osbourne wanted to leave the show, he would let her (in fact, Osbourne left after series 4). The Daily Mail reported that Cowell was forced to sit the judges down, asking them to maintain a civil relationship with each other behind the scenes. The apparent flirting between Cowell and Minogue also generated comment in the popular media.
Impartiality
Series 4 presented a change in the panelists' judging style. Simon CowellSimon Cowell
Simon Phillip Cowell is an English A&R executive, television producer, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is known in the United Kingdom and United States for his role as a talent judge on TV shows such as Pop Idol, The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent and American Idol...
said at the ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
Autumn Launch: "We tried to be bit more impartial as judges, and that, you'll see a lot more of on X Factor. There's still competition within the judges but our job essentially is to find a star." This ethic was put into practice with the judges working together at the bootcamp. At the live stages, the acts were no longer introduced with their mentors at the start of the show. Only the judges were introduced, after which the individual performances began.
Fearne Cotton
Fearne Cotton
Fearne Cotton is an English television and radio presenter who is known for presenting a number of popular TV programmes such as Top of the Pops and the Red Nose Day telethon. In 2007, she became the first regular female presenter of BBC Radio 1's Chart Show...
became the new host of The Xtra Factor on ITV2
ITV2
ITV2 is a 24 hour, free-to-air entertainment television channel in the United Kingdom owned by ITV Digital Channels Ltd, a division of ITV plc. It was launched on 7 December 1998, and is available on digital television via satellite, cable, IPTV and terrestrial platforms. The channel has the...
, following Ben Shephard
Ben Shephard
Benjamin Peter "Ben" Shephard, also known as "Sheps" is an English television presenter who currently works for Sky Sports, as well as ITV.-Personal life:...
's resignation. Shephard reportedly quit because he was not given the job of lead X Factor host on ITV.
Standard of talent
At ITVITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
's Autumn launch on 12 July 2007, Simon Cowell
Simon Cowell
Simon Phillip Cowell is an English A&R executive, television producer, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is known in the United Kingdom and United States for his role as a talent judge on TV shows such as Pop Idol, The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent and American Idol...
discussed the upcoming series. He said that in previous years the programme had been more like a "popularity contest" than a talent show. When asked about the standard of talent, Cowell said: "It's in a different league this year... we're going to have the best 12 [finalists] we've ever seen". This came with comments that the series 4 auditions had gone "brilliantly".
Series 4 also saw more emphasis placed on the international standing of The X Factor, with Simon Cowell
Simon Cowell
Simon Phillip Cowell is an English A&R executive, television producer, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is known in the United Kingdom and United States for his role as a talent judge on TV shows such as Pop Idol, The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent and American Idol...
calling it the "biggest show in Europe" with around 150,000 auditioning for the series. Referring to the impact that the international success of series 3 winner Leona Lewis
Leona Lewis
Leona Louise Lewis is a British singer and songwriter. Lewis first came to prominence in 2006 when she won the third series of the British television series The X Factor....
had had on the show, Dannii Minogue
Dannii Minogue
Danielle Jane "Dannii" Minogue is an Australian singer-songwriter, actress, television personality, radio personality, fashion designer and model...
said at the Sheffield auditions: "I think that Leona has completely upped the ante now on this show, and there's no turning back. We're looking for an international standard of acts that can sell millions of albums". In response to the expectation of a raised standard of talent on the show, producers tried with series 4 to assemble what Dermot O'Leary
Dermot O'Leary
Dermot O'Leary is an English television and radio presenter. He established himself as a presenter of Big Brother's Little Brother on Channel 4 before moving on to The X Factor on ITV. O'Leary has also presented on the BBC and has his own radio show on BBC Radio 2...
called an "international panel of judges"; this was particularly the case with the original judging lineup that included Brian Friedman
Brian Friedman
Brian L. Friedman, is an American dancer and choreographer, and has created the choreography for many popular music artists - such as Britney Spears, Beyoncé Knowles and Mariah Carey - as well as for music videos, concert tours and television and film productions.-Early life:Friedman was born in...
. There were also more international contestants in series 4, with two acts from the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, numerous acts from Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and a Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian act auditioning.
Nevertheless, Cowell said before the first live show that "I think we could be heading for a train wreck," referring to the fact that the public did not believe any of the final 12 this year were as good as the previous year's winner, Leona Lewis. But he added, "But if you take Leona out of the equation, they weren't that good last year. As a whole, we've probably got the most talented 12 we've had. We just haven't had the chance to showcase them properly yet."
Alleged voting irregularities
It was reported that OfcomOfcom
Ofcom is the government-approved regulatory authority for the broadcasting and telecommunications industries in the United Kingdom. Ofcom was initially established by the Office of Communications Act 2002. It received its full authority from the Communications Act 2003...
received at least 1,100 complaints from would-be voters for Rhydian Roberts, the runner-up of the series, saying that despite calling numerous times they were unable to get through to vote for Roberts. The programme said the high number of calls meant some people were greeted by engaged tones.
ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
denied the allegations, commenting that "As all numbers go through to the same lines and vote platform it is impossible for there to be any bias in favour or against a particular contestant." ITV confirmed that Leon performed strongly throughout the series and won on the night of the final by around 10% of the popular vote. A subsequent Ofcom investigation found that Roberts had not been unfairly disadvantaged.
Viewership
The fourth series proved yet again to be a ratings winner. The first episode peaked at 10.7 million viewers, with an average of 9.5 million viewers (45% share), according to unofficial overnight ratings. This was 2.5 million viewers higher than last year's launch, and higher than the series finale of both series 1 and series 2. Moreover, 60% of 16- to 34-year-olds tuned in that night. The Xtra Factor on ITV2 also performed well on its launch night, with an overnight figure of 1.2 million viewers watching the episode — 500,000 more than for the 2006 launch.The second episode was another ratings success and attracted more viewers than all of the other terrestrial channels combined. The show peaked at 10 million viewers with an average of 8.5 million, beating its rival DanceX
DanceX
DanceX is a reality television show produced in the UK for BBC One in 2007. It is a live show, in which two teams of male and female dancers compete to form a new dance group. Team Bruno won the show on August 25.-DanceX Presenter and Team Leaders:...
(the finale) on BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
which attracted 3.6 million.
The third episode attracted 8.7 million viewers, which was considerably more than BBC One's Eurovision Dance Contest
Eurovision Dance Contest
The Eurovision Dance Contest was an international dancing competition that was held for the first time in the United Kingdom on Saturday 1 September 2007....
which achieved an audience of 3.8 million viewers. Viewing figures remained strong in the fourth episode, averaging 8.2 million viewers. The fifth episode featuring auditions generated 7 million viewers and a 43% share of audience. The sixth and final episode featuring auditions attracted another strong audience which peaked at 9.2 million and averaged with 8 million and an audience share of 45%.
The seventh and eighth episodes in the series featured the successful candidates auditioning at boot-camp. Despite competition from BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing is a British television show, featuring celebrities with professional dance partners competing in Ballroom and Latin dances. The title of the show suggests a continuation of the long-running series Come Dancing, with an allusion to the film Strictly Ballroom...
, The X Factor received the highest viewing figures, beating Strictly Come Dancing by 2.1 million viewers and receiving 6.8 million in total. The second part of the show attracted 7.2 million viewers. The ninth instalment won 7.5 million viewers, narrowly beating the live launch of Strictly Come Dancing, which had 7.2 million.
The final of The X Factor on December 15 scored highly in the ratings with a peak audience of 12.1 million. The first part of the show attracted an average of 11.4 million viewers, whilst the second half averaged with 11.7 million viewers. This was the highest rating, in terms of total viewership, for all four series of the show.