Manchester really has the Factor
X Factor stars have paid tribute to the people of Manchester as they held auditions in Old Trafford - and Simon Cowell said he’d love to bring the finals back to the city.
Judges Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh and host Dermot O’Leary spoke of their admiration for how the city and its people dealt with the Arena attack.
Stars from the TV talent contests were filming for the show at Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground, and said it felt especially poignant to be back at the venue where Ariana Grande’s One Love Manchester concert was held in response to the May 22 atrocity.
Louis, who returns to the judging panel this summer with Sharon and ex-Pussycat Doll singer Nicole Scherzinger, said: “We love Manchester and it’s particularly special to be here after everything that has happened. We have to keep positive and keep everyone smiling.”
Sharon said: “The people here are so strong. You can feel it everywhere.”
And presenter Dermot said was a ‘big honour’ for them to return to Old Trafford.
“We’re always welcomed here and always made to feel like this is home and I love this venue. The people who work here are terrific and there is a special feeling about the place.”
Music mogul Simon wasn’t on the judging panel when the final of the X Factor was held at Manchester Central in 2012. That year, the panel was made up of Louis, Nicole, singer Tulisa Contostavlos and Take That star Gary Barlow. But asked if he’s keen hold another showpiece event here in our city, he said: “Categorically yes. Yes, you ask and we’ll do it, because I missed out that year. “I’d like to find somebody who we haven’t seen before. Like that year when we found James Arthur. He was different to everybody else and he’s turned out to be an amazing artist.” On Saturday, Nicole was replaced by Britain’s Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon after she was unable to attend the opening day of auditions in Manchester. But the star was back to dazzle fans yesterday.