The biggest search for a singing superstar is back… and it’s just got a whole lot BIGGER!
The nation’s favourite talent show has at long last returned, but this year it’s not just The X Factor judges the contestants will have to impress if they want to follow in the footsteps of Leona Lewis, Alexandra Burke and JLS, because now the auditions are taking place in front of live audiences in packed arenas across the country.
The first act to try out the new nerve-wracking format were Lithuanian sisters, the Dreamgirls, who had moved from their homeland in east Europe just so they could audition for The X Factor.
A brave plan some might say, but one that crucially involved a glaring oversight: the Dreamgirls can’t actually sing. After murdering the Robbie Williams hit Angels, the part-time models were sent packing after Simon compared their singing to cats being squashed!
Not the best of starts, but the judges’ moods were lifted considerably when 19-year-old Stacey Solomon delivered a heartfelt rendition of What A Wonderful World.
“I didn’t expect you to be that good!” Cheryl told the Essex girl, and when these sentiments were echoed by the other three judges Stacey realised she was through to bootcamp.
Next up was the familiar figure of Emma Chawner, the teenager who had been rejected from the show on two previous occasions in 2007 and 2008… however this time the resilient young lass had a secret weapon that she hoped would make her progress to the next round a case of third time lucky – her big sister, Sam.
But when it transpired neither of them could sing, Emma found herself trudging back offstage with four resounding NOs ringing in her ears… she was however determined to come back next year and do it all again!
We were then treated to the honeyed tones of Joseph McElderry, who impressed the judges hugely with his fantastic take on Luther Vandross’ Dance With My Father.
“You’ve just made the competition very, very exciting!” Louis beamed after his excellent audition.
Cheryl agreed, telling the young man from South Shields: “I’m really proud you’re representing our city.”
Simon finished off the praise stating: “We may just have found ourselves a popstar.”
So with first half in the bag, we were left to wonder what the second half had in store for us.