X Factor fever hits town
MORE than 3,000 people turned up at Newcastle Arena 10 years ago, hoping to become contestants on the hit television talent show X Factor.
Devised by Simon Cowell, the ITV show had already made stars of Leona Lewis, Matt Cardle and Alexandra Burke – as well as South Shields singer Joe Mcelderry and pop quartet Little Mix, two of whom, Perrie Edwards and Jade Thirlwall, also hailed from the South Tyneside town.
The Sunday Sun was there on March 9, 2012, the day of the Newcastle auditions, to meet some of the wannabes dreaming of fame and fortune.
We reported: “Around 3,000 starstruck folk turned up at Newcastle Arena as the TV cameras started to roll.
“Some had camped out the previous night to make sure they were at the front of the queue so they could impress the Sony executives and X Factor bosses.
“And TV host Dermot O’leary was also on the scene as the crowds erupted vying to impress the judges.
“Youth worker volunteer Sammy-jo Mcneill was the first in the queue after camping overnight. The 17-year-old, from West Denton, Newcastle, said: ‘I arrived at the Arena at 8pm on Friday so I could be first in the queue. I’ll be singing Adele’s Make You Feel My Love in front of the judges. I love singing, I’ve been singing since I was a little kid. I am excited and hope to get past this stage so I can progress in the competition.’
“John Liddell, 45, of Blyth, was accompanied by his sons, Vegas, eight, and Josh, 10. The factory worker said: ‘I love singing anything really, Frank Sinatra to Elvis. I haven’t decided what I will sing in front of the judges, it will be a spur of the moment thing. I sing all the time, around the house and in the car. I have to, as the car radio doesn’t work.’
“Drama Barnes, 25, of Newcastle, said: ‘I’m a barman and a DJ, but I also want to be like Robbie Williams and go global. I have the X Factor and I want to entertain the world. I’m so passionate about music. I’m singing Use Somebody by Kings of Leon, I just want to get through to the next stage.’
“Part-time model and sales assistant Daniel Paxton, 22, of Crawcrook, Gateshead, said: ‘I want to put Crawcrook on the map. I love Justin Bieber because he’s a good role model and I take inspiration from him. I want to be the next Justin Bieber for the UK.’
“And waitress Sofi Johnson, 19, of Prudhoe, Northumberland, said: “My mum used to be a singer so it runs in my family. I love it, it is the only job I would be happy doing. I only hope I have the X Factor. I want this to be my year.
“‘There is a lot of talent in Newcastle and I hope they find the winner here, I just hope it’s me.’”
During the auditions, a panel of two producers put each act through their paces – and those who got the coveted ‘yes’ votes would get to perform for the X Factor panel proper later in the year.
In the event, the 2012 winner of X Factor was singer James Arthur from Middlesbrough, who would go on to achieve significant chart success.
The show itself, which kicked off in 2004, ran for 15 series and 445 episodes until it was rested in 2018. Last year ITV announced it was being dropped for
good.