THE X-FACTOR

TALENT competition The X Factor returned for its 15th series this weekend with a new panel and a whole host of wannabe pop stars.

Simon Cowell, 58, has roped former One Direction star Louis Tomlinson, 26, onto the judging panel, as well as husband and wife duo Robbie Williams, 44, and Ayda Field, 39.

Since the show kicked off in 2004, it’s created loads of successful careers – but here are 10 things you might not know about The X- Factor… THERE’S been 27 judges throughout the 15 seasons, including Tulisa, 30, Gary Barlow, 47, Nick Grimshaw, 34, Geri Halliwell, 46, Natalie Imbruglia, 43, and Anastacia, 49. WHEN Simon left the UK version in 2011, he personally got in touch with Noel Gallagher, 51, to ask him to fill his seat. Noel revealed that he turned him down and said: “Saturday night is for playing with my wife, f** king getting drunk. It’s my night off.” THERE are 51 versions of around the world. THE sob stories are a crucial part of the show and researchers are tasked with digging into applicants’ family history, then the judges ask emotional questions to create backstories. AROUND 200,000 people audition for

and queueing can take up to 15 hours. SINGERS who have appeared on the show have racked up 39 number one hits. IN the run- up to the very first live show, Sharon Osbourne, 65, caused a major stir when she called Simon a “f** king wanker” for “rigging” the show. BACK in 2006 The X Factor: Battle of the Stars was a celeb version and featured stars like James Hewitt, 60, Chris Moyles, 44, and a group called ‘ The Chefs’, which featured Jean- Christophe Novelli, 57, Aldo Zilli, 62, Paul Rankin, 58, and Ross Burden, 45. A NUMBER of porn stars have tried their luck. Michelle Thorne, 43, was one and Brooklyn Blue, 28, was booted off once she was rumbled. IN 2009, metal fan and DJ Jon Morter, 43, launched a successful campaign on Facebook to get Rage Against The Machine’s Killing In The Name to No1 at Christmas instead of the annual X- Factor offering.