We've been waiting all year for it's return, and now the X Factor is back, and it's better than ever. It's the series that brought us Leona Lewis, One Direction... and Jedward, with this year set to unearth just as many memorable chart toppers.
Saturday's episode showed us a mere sample of the thousands of singing hopefuls and we've rounded up our pick of the best, worst and most bizarre constants.
The Good
When Reece Bibby strolled into the audition room with his guitar, the 15-year-old had no idea that the judges had grown seriously tired of contestants attempting to hide behind their instruments. However, the 15-year-old blew the judges away with his soulful rendition of 'Latch', earning the student four big yeses and certainly looks like one to watch.
Lauren Platt is a name to remember according to Simon Cowell, with the 16 year old winning him over with a powerful cover of 'I Know Where I've Been.' The teen has the look, voice and charm of a X Factor winner, and Simon even went as far to say that they'd found something special with her.
Amy Connelly had everyone in tears after it was revealed that she had a special connection with one of the judges, explaining that she'd previously made it through to the judges houses, under Cheryl's mentorship. Amy let her nerves get the better of her originally, but six years on, the 25-year-old felt she was ready to face the music once more, and her emotional performance left the judges stunned.
Remember her name! Simon thinks Lauren is one to watch (ITV Pictures)
The Bad
Singing sisters, Blonde Electric, opened the show with a burst of energy, which the judges found more than just a little irritating. The sisters dreamt of being as big as Madonna, but their enthusistic rendition of 'do it like a dude' was compared to the sound of nails on a blackboard by Simon. However, they managed to win over three judges eventually, with Mel B telling them that they were so annoying that they were good.
Cheryl's biggest fan, Jale Antor, showed up in a military outfit almost identical to the Geordie lass' iconic costume, but unfortunately, that's where the similarities between the two stopped. The 42-year-old went on to sing 'Fight For This Love', but couldn't even remember the words, having to read from a sheet. Her nifty dance moves gave the judges a good laugh, but she still went away with four nos.
Shayden Willis started off with so much promise as he wheeled on his keyboard and explained he would be performing one of his own songs. However, the amateur songwriter soon bored the judges with his wailing on betrayal, and the audition was brought to an early finish by Simon. But, determined to liven things up, the 37-year-old launched into a 'cheery' tune about world peace before starting a medley that scared off Cheryl, Louis and Mel B.
Are they so bad they're good? Blonde Electric divided the judges (ITV Pictures)
The Weird
Ben Quinlan came onto the show with the sole goal of impressing Geordie babe, Cheryl. The 19-year-old ploughed through a slightly shaky performance of 'That's My Goal', but going in for a hug with Cheryl mid-performance certainly seemed to boost his spirits. The Irish lad may have given off a slight stalker vibe, but Cheryl was swayed by a gift of a single green rose and the other three judges followed her suit in saying yes.
It wouldn't be The X Factor without someone performing a sexy striptease, but we really weren't expecting it from 63-year-old Carol Trevarthen. We're still not sure what was the most unsettling factor, her awful rendition of 'Simply The Best', her dodgy Tina Turner wig, or the fact that she whipped off her black skirt to reveal some saucy, lacy, garters mid-song.
Angelina Robinson may have thought she was giving the judges what they wanted with dinner and a show, but the whole audition was just downright weird. The 52-year-old prepared herself to sing 'All I Have To Do Is Dream' whilst her mum treated the judges with a few homemade delights. The judges could barely see Angelina over the piles of chinese food, and poor Louis nearly chocked to death on a slice of cake that was forced upon him.
The judges were treated to dinner and a show but it wasn't enough to put Angelina through (ITV Pictures)
The X Factor continues on Sunday at 8pm on ITV
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