The X Factor was a reality TV juggernaught, enthralling millions of viewers with its annual battle to find the nation’s next big popstar at its peak.
Created by Simon Cowell in 2004, the show helped to launch the careers of some of the UK’s biggest stars, including One Direction, Little Mix and Alexandra Burke.
But the ITV talent show went on a hiatus after its 2018 series suffered a plunge in ratings. Three years later, Simon confirmed it wouldn’t be returning.
While the programme kicked-off many glittering careers in showbusiness, you have probably forgotten these famous faces once tried their luck on the show.
Luckily we’re here to remind you…
The X Factor kicked-off many glittering careers in showbusiness at its peak – but you’ve probbaly forgotten that a host of stars who went on to great things also tried to get famous on this show (Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh seen in 2004)
Max George
Heading to the Salford’s Lowry Hotel with his dad, The Wanted’s Max George auditioned in front of Simon Cowell , Louis Walsh and Sharon Osborne
At the tender age of 16, and sporting a broken arm, The Wanted’s Max George decided to try his luck on The X Factor.
Heading to the Salford’s Lowry Hotel with his dad, Max auditioned in front of Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and Sharon Osborne.
Max impressed the judges at the time, with Simon Cowell hailing him ‘a young Robbie Williams‘ – however he was cut from the show at the bootcamp stage.
One year later Max returned to The X Factor, this time as part of the boyband Avenue.
The band thoroughly impressed the judges and they sailed through to the live finals.
But Avenue landed themselves at the centre of a scandal when it was revealed they already had professional representation, which was against show rules at the time.
The band was brutally disqualified from the show as a result.
Max has since reflected on his first X Factor audition, and called it a moment which changed his life.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News in 2018, he said: ‘That day at The Lowry was when it all changed.’
He added: ‘That night I told my dad there was an open audition for X Factor and I said I’m going to go. He took me down, and that was it then, I never looked back after that really.’
Mollie King
Before her success with The Saturdays, Mollie King tried to make a go of being a singer on The X Factor not just once, but twice
She rose to fame as one fifth of the band The Saturdays, alongside S Club Juniors stars Rochelle Humes and Frankie Bridge.
But before her success with the girl group, Mollie King tried to make a go of being a singer on The X Factor not just once, but twice.
She made her debut show back in 2005, but her attempts at singing left judges Sharon Osbourne, Louis Walsh and Simon Cowell less than impressed.
While Simon actually seemed otherwise quite taken with her revealing style, Sharon chastised her for her awful wardrobe choices after the so-so audition, that saw Mollie warbling through I Just Want To Make Love To You.
‘I think you’re dressed totally inappropriately,’ the red-haired music manager said, to which boss Simon replied, ‘Well, that didn’t bother me too much!’
Mollie, who was 18 at the time, was clad in a slinky, draped metallic top and tiny white shorts that showed off the beauty’s stunning frame, but it wasn’t perhaps the right choice for an X Factor audition.
But that fateful visit in 2005 on the second series of the show – which was eventually won by Shayne Ward – wasn’t the only time Mollie tried her best.
She returned in 2007 with girl group Fallen Angelz, this time with a far more urban and colourful look.
They ran into the small studio singing their hearts out and skipping along, something that seemed to thrill Simon.
Mollie and her equally badly-dressed cohorts shouted rather than sang a version of Avril Lavigne’s Girlfriend, which caused quite the reaction from the judging panel, which this time included Dannii Minogue.
Jasmin Walia
She started out on The Only Way Is Essex as an extra back in 2010, but Jasmin Walia began her venture into the world of music and auditioned for The X Factor
Jasmin Walia started out on The Only Way Is Essex as an extra back in 2010, before becoming a full-time cast member two years later.
But after her TOWIE fame, Jasmin began her venture into the world of music and auditioned for The X Factor.
Jasmin failed to impress Simon Cowell, Mel B, Louis Walsh and Cheryl when she auditioned for the ITV show back in 2014.
She auditioned alongside her brother Danny Walia at Arsenal FC’s Emirates Stadium in north London.
But sadly things didn’t go her way and the aspiring singer ended up sobbing after being dealt four nos by the judges.
She told The Mirror at the time: ‘I’m sure they had heard of TOWIE. I think they did grill me a bit because of who I am but I couldn’t talk back to them at the time because I respect people.
‘The X Factor was brutal but I just tried to take it all on the chin. I don’t regret it. At the time, I was like ‘Oh no’ – I felt like I’d really let myself down.
‘But do you know what? I just got nervous. It happens.’
However the reality star later proved her singing prowess in December 2016, when her performance as Princess Jasmine received rave reviews.
Bianca Gascoigne
Bianca Gascoigne tried her luck on X Factor on the ninth series in 2012, singing for Gary Barlow, Tulisa, Louis Walsh and guest judge Rita Ora
The adopted daughter of former footballer Paul Gascoigne tried her luck on X Factoron the ninth series in 2012.
Before singing for Gary Barlow, Tulisa, Louis Walsh and guest judge Rita Ora, Bianca explained: ‘This is really what I want, I love singing and hopefully they can see that when I walk on stage, you know that I really do care and that I’m going to be nervous because it means so much to me.’
However her version of I’m Goin’ Down by Mary J. Blige failed to impress the judges and left her family in tears as they heard the remarks.
Gary kicked things off by saying: ‘If I could compare you with the other 25-year-olds we’ve had it’s really not good enough.
‘What the other 25-year-olds have is that they’ve been singing like all their lives, seriously singing. At 25 you should be a lot better than that. In general it was a bit of a mediocre audition.’
Louis Walsh said: ‘Bianca you haven’t got a bad voice, you’ve got a great image you know but it’s tough because we’ve got some amazing singers in this category already.’
Tulisa was also a lot more supportive as she tried to sugarcoat the bad news.
She said: ‘I appreciate and admire the fact that you’ve come up and basically wanted to try something different and change the public’s perception of you.
‘I think you’re a cool girl I’ve met you out a couple of times but I’ve got to be honest i don’t think the vocals were strong enough for this competition.’
Guest judge Rita Ora gave the final negative comment and said: ‘I can tell you were nervous but I agree with T, I think we’ve seen better singers.’
With each judge saying no, Bianca was sent home as Tulisa explained to Rita and Louis that she found that whole audition ‘really awkward’.
Louis Smith
Not content with winning a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, gymnast Louis Smith took his talents to the X Factor judges in 2009
Not content with winning a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, gymnast Louis Smith took his talents to the X Factor judges in 2009.
With no major competition until the autumn of that year, Louis decided to enter the contest after seeing an advert.
He belted out a rendition of East 17’s If You Ever – but the judges were left unimpressed.
‘It wasn’t good enough,’ said head judge Simon Cowell. ‘I don’t think you’ll ever be good enough.’
He added: ‘So stick to doing what you’re brilliant at doing. For you to achieve what you’ve achieved at your age is incredible.’
Speaking to Radio Times about his attempt, he said: ‘It was a bit of fun.
‘I had to make a decision when I was eight and got offered a scholarship in singing either to do that full time or carry on with gym. I chose gym.’
