Macclesfield Express

Hopefuls aim to end their auditions on a high note

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At a time when TV shows are trying to come up with new formats to stay fresh and keep the viewers turned in, The X Factor (Saturday, ITV, 8pm) is going retro. Gone are the judges from the previous series with a trio of favourite faces returning, alongside showrunner Simon Cowell. Sharon Osbourne, Nicole Scherzinge­r and Louis Walsh have all been brought back in from the cold to breathe life into the hit show. With the exception of Nicole – who joined in 2012 – the 12th series’ panel includes the original judges from the first season in 2004, which was then hosted by Kate Thornton. Louis is the longest-serving member of the panel. He sat on the judging panel for 11 series before a break last year and said he cannot wait to return. “He’d say otherwise but I knew Simon missed me last year!” he quipped. “I’m delighted to be back on the panel, especially beside my two favourite female judges Sharon and Nicole, and I’m looking forward to taking them all back to Dublin this year when we head there for auditions.” As ever, the contest gets under way with the auditions stage tonight and tomorrow, in which Cowell and co will be expected to successful­ly identify potential stars from the thousands of hopefuls who are hoping to succeed 2015 winner Louisa Johnson. ITV are keeping some details of the new series tightly under wraps, but they have announced that there will be one or two format changes. Most importantl­y, the intimate setting of the room auditions are being brought back after years of first auditions in front of a huge arena crowd. Also coming back to the X Factor family this year is presenter Dermot O'Leary, who has secured himself an £8million, four-year deal to front the show. O’Leary left Factor after “eight wonderful years” in 2015 and was replaced by Olly Murs and Caroline Flack. The 43-year-old presenter, who is famed for his dance routines, said: “There is nothing more exciting than hosting live TV on a Saturday night. The show is naturally very close to my heart, after having hosted it for eight years. “I’m excited to be back.” Let's hope this year marks a return to form for the one-time Saturday night ratings juggernaut, and that the show, like some of its winners, still has The X Factor.

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 ??  ?? On song Simon Cowell judges performanc­es
On song Simon Cowell judges performanc­es

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