The 2011 UK X factor is getting underway with auditions in Birmingham. X Factor judges Louis Walsh, Gary Barlow, Kelly Rowland and N-Dubz singer Tulisa Contostavlos are in Birmingham for the first auditions of the next series. Cheryl Cole, who was axed from Simon Cowell's US version of the X Factor days after she started, is not returning.
This live feed is in Birmingham during the auditions:
Birmingham live feed
The X Factor is a television talent show franchise originating in the United Kingdom, where it was devised as a replacement forPop Idol. It is a singing competition, now held in various countries, which pits contestants against each other. These contestants are aspiring pop singers drawn from public auditions. The programs are produced by executive producer Simon Cowell and his company Syco TV. The "X Factor" of the title refers to the undefinable "something" that makes for star quality. The prize is usually a recording contract, in addition to the publicity that appearance in the later stages of the show itself generates, not only for the winner but also for other highly ranked contestants.
The format creator is Simon Cowell who also judges and mentors on the UK series. The UK version is responsible for the launch of the internationally successful singer Leona Lewis. As of May 2011, there have been 48 winners of The X Factor around the world. Television stations in many countries, but especially the Scandinavian ones, have expressed an interest in showing the UK version, but have not been able to acquire the rights. This is due to legal issues as the British version of the show is only available in the UK and Ireland. The X Factor has recently completed its seventh series.
Unlike Pop Idol, where contestants are solely judged by the judges, on The X Factor each judge mentors the finalists in a particular category, aiding them with song selection and styling, while also participating together in judging the contestants of the other categories.
