The X Factor (British series 9)

The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent. The ninth series began airing on ITV on 18 August 2012[1] and ended on 9 December 2012. Dermot O'Leary returned as presenter of the main show on ITV, whilst Caroline Flack and Olly Murs returned to co-present The Xtra Factor on ITV2. Louis Walsh, Gary Barlow and Tulisa returned as judges. Nicole Scherzinger was confirmed as the fourth permanent judge after Geri Halliwell, Leona Lewis, Rita Ora, Mel B, Anastacia and Scherzinger herself stood in as guest judges for the vacant position left by Kelly Rowland. After the show of 8 December, two of Scherzinger's acts, James Arthur and Jahméne Douglas, became the top two, meaning that Scherzinger was guaranteed to win. Arthur was announced as the winner on 9 December, and released a cover of Shontelle's "Impossible" as his winner's song. As of 2016, it is the most successful winner's single in the show's history.

The X Factor
Series 9
Hosted byDermot O'Leary (ITV)
Judges
WinnerJames Arthur
Winning mentorNicole Scherzinger
Runner-upJahméne Douglas
Finals venueManchester Central
Release
Original network
Original release18 August (2012-08-18) –
9 December 2012 (2012-12-09)
Series chronology

Auditions for the series took place between 23 May and 25 June 2012, in Liverpool, London, Manchester, Glasgow, Newcastle and Cardiff. Bootcamp took place in Liverpool for three days, between 19 and 22 July. Barlow mentored the over 28s, Scherzinger had the boys, Tulisa mentored the girls and Walsh had the groups. They selected their final three acts during judges' houses, which took place in Boughton House in Northamptonshire, Dubai, Saint Lucia and Las Vegas. The 12 finalists were joined by a 13th wildcard, voted for by the public after each judge picked one of their rejected to return. The live shows started on 6 October. The final was held at Manchester Central.

The trailer for the series, entitled "Whose Time Is Now?", premiered on 30 July, featuring former contestants Lewis, Alexandra Burke, JLS, Murs, One Direction and Little Mix talking about their time on The X Factor and how it had changed their lives. It was criticised by former winner Shayne Ward because he was not included. The series was beset by several controversial issues throughout its run. In the auditions, these included Zoe Alexander, who swore at judges and assaulted a member of staff; Alison Brunton, whose audition was believed to have "caused unnecessary distress or anxiety" to her children; and Lorna Bliss, who gave Walsh a lap dance. The live shows were controversial for the eliminations of Carolynne Poole (after which Gary Barlow walked off the stage[2]) and Ella Henderson, the fact that the voting lines opened before the contestants had performed, and also comments made by the judges—Tulisa using the term "MILF", Barlow insulting Tulisa's breath, and Scherzinger saying "effing". This series' launch was the lowest rated since 2006, and the show was often beaten in the ratings by other programmes such as Strictly Come Dancing, Downton Abbey and I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!. The final received the lowest ratings of an X Factor final since 2005, until the following year's series final attracted worse ratings.

Within four-and-a-half months of the final, six of the series' finalists—Arthur,[3] Douglas,[4] Henderson,[5] Christopher Maloney,[6] Union J[7] and Lucy Spraggan[8]—had been signed to record labels.

Judges, presenters and other personnel
Series 9 judges
Nicole Scherzinger
Gary Barlow
Tulisa
Louis Walsh

On 17 April 2012, Gary Barlow was confirmed to be returning to the judging panel,[9][10] and on 3 May it was announced that Louis Walsh would also return for his ninth year as a judge.[11][12] Tulisa was also confirmed to be returning,[13] but Kelly Rowland did not return due to other commitments.[14][15] However, Rowland was relocated to America where she would become a judge for the 2013 series of the American show. Individuals rumoured to be permanently replacing Rowland included Alesha Dixon, and Rochelle Wiseman and Frankie Sandford.[16] Former judges Sharon Osbourne,[17] Dannii Minogue,[18] and Cheryl Cole,[19] as well as Katy Perry and Rihanna, were said to have turned down the role.[16] As a fourth permanent judge was not confirmed in time for the start of the auditions, guest judging roles were brought in. They were filled by Halliwell,[20] series 3 winner Leona Lewis,[21] Rita Ora,[22] Nicole Scherzinger,[23][24] Mel B[25] and Anastacia. Scherzinger was announced as the fourth permanent judge on 15 June 2012, filling the fourth chair from the Newcastle auditions onwards.[26][27]

Dermot O'Leary returned to present the main show on ITV for his sixth series,[28] while Caroline Flack and Olly Murs returned to co-present companion show The Xtra Factor on ITV2, but Murs was absent for the auditions, bootcamp and judges' houses as he was on tour with One Direction in America.[29] In Murs' absence, Flack was joined by guest presenters such as Jedward, JLS[30] and Westlife.[31] Brian Burke returned as creative director, but Elizabeth Honan did not. Brian Friedman, who left as creative director on the show after series 7 in 2010, returned this year,[32] but left after the third live show to launch the live shows of the U.S. version.[33] Also, Natalya Nair, head of make-up, did not have her contract renewed.[32] Yvie Burnett and Annabel Williams gave vocal coaching during the live shows.[34] This was the final series for Tulisa as a main judge; she left after this series, but reappeared in 2014 to assist Walsh in choosing his groups during judges' houses in series 11, then once more as a guest judge during the final.

Selection process

Applications and auditions
Cities that auditions were held in.

This series, for the first time, applicants were able to audition online via Facebook.[35] The show's producers also sent a "mobile audition van" to 18 locations throughout the UK and Ireland to audition singers who could not make the arena auditions. The mobile auditions began in Plymouth and ended 18 days later in Brighton. The van visited a different location every day except when it spent two days in Dublin on 28 and 29 April. The other towns and cities it visited were Aberystwyth, Bangor, Blackpool, Carlisle, Edinburgh, Inverness, Aberdeen, Dundee, Middlesbrough, Wakefield, Derby, Norwich, Colchester, Southend-on-Sea and Chatham.[36] Producers also had researchers invite certain people to audition, who had not applied to audition.[37] There were several rule changes in relation to the auditions: acts with current management deals were allowed to audition for the first time, in a bid to "[broaden] the net and [open] it up so that everybody gets an opportunity."[38] Also, singers could perform their own compositions and play instruments.[39]

The judges' auditions—originally supposed to start in Cardiff on 15 May 2012 but postponed due to delays in signing up a new permanent fourth judge[40]—began on 23 May in Liverpool (Echo Arena)[41] and continued from 26–30 May in London (The O2 Arena).[41] From 5–7 June, auditions moved to Manchester (EventCity),[41] and on 11 June, they took place in Glasgow (SECC).[41] Further auditions took place on 18 June in Newcastle (Metro Radio Arena)[41] and concluded on 25 June in Cardiff (Motorpoint Arena Cardiff).[41]

Halliwell was the first guest judge, attending the Liverpool auditions.[20] Guest judges in London were Lewis,[21] Ora,[22] and Scherzinger.[23] Mel B filled the guest judging role in Manchester[25] and Anastacia judged in Glasgow. On 13 June, Scherzinger was announced to be returning as a guest judge for the Newcastle auditions,[24] before being announced as the new permanent fourth judge two days later.[26][42]

The first episode of auditions was broadcast on 18 August 2012, and featured auditions from London (with Scherzinger), Cardiff and Manchester.[43][44] The second episode featured auditions from London (with Ora), Manchester and Newcastle.[45] More Manchester auditions, along with those from Glasgow, were shown on 1 September,[46] while The Xtra Factor additionally included auditions from Newcastle.[47] The episode broadcast on 8 September included auditions from Liverpool and more from Manchester,[48] with the corresponding episode of The Xtra Factor featured auditions from London (with Scherzinger).[49] 9 September episode showcased auditions from London (with Lewis and Scherzinger),[50] and The Xtra Factor featured more auditions from London (with Lewis and Scherzinger).[51] On 15 September, auditions from London (with Ora and Lewis), Manchester and Glasgow were shown.[52] The final episode of auditions was shown on 16 September, and included more of London (with Ora), Cardiff, Liverpool and Manchester.[53]

Notable auditionees included Lucy Spraggan,[43] whose self-released single "Last Night", which she performed at her audition, entered the UK Singles Chart at number 11 following the episode broadcast;[54] Britt Love from the band Mini Viva;[55] glamour model and television personality Bianca Gascoigne; TV presenter, stage actor and former Popstars and Pop Idol contestant Hayley Evetts;[56] Big Brother 9 housemate Stephanie McMichael (in the group Poisonous Twin) and singer and former Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack housemate Nathan Fagan-Gayle. Returning auditionees included Joe Cox, Jade Richards, Melanie McCabe and Carolynne Poole, who all reached judges' houses in series 8.[57][58][59]

Summary of auditions
Date(s) City Venue Guest judge(s) Permanent judges
23 May 2012 Liverpool Echo Arena Geri Halliwell Louis Walsh
Tulisa
Gary Barlow
26 May 2012 London The O2 Arena Leona Lewis
28 May 2012 Rita Ora
29 May 2012 Rita Ora (Morning)
Leona Lewis (Evening)
30 May 2012 Nicole Scherzinger
5–7 June 2012 Manchester EventCity Mel B
11 June 2012 Glasgow SECC Anastacia
18 June 2012 Newcastle Metro Radio Arena None Louis Walsh
Tulisa
Nicole Scherzinger
Gary Barlow
25 June 2012 Cardiff Motorpoint Arena Cardiff

Bootcamp

Bootcamp was held outside London for the first time in the show's history, due to London hosting the 2012 Summer Olympics.[60] It took place at the Echo Arena in Liverpool over three days,[61] starting on Thursday 19 July,[62] and was broadcast on 22 and 23 September.[61][63] Simon Cowell promised that this bootcamp would be "the toughest yet".[60] The age ranges of the categories were changed for this series during bootcamp; the over 25s became the over 28s (as in series 7), so the boys and girls categories contain contestants aged 16–27, rather than 16–24. It was reported that the reason for this was because the series 8 finalists were considered too young, and contestants in their late 20s did not make it into the over 25s category because of "quirky older" contestants.[64] Also, Scherzinger and Barlow swapped seats, meaning that there was two female judges in the 1st and 3rd seats, and two males judges in the 2nd and 4th seats. Most other The X Factor shows started to do this.

211 acts reached bootcamp. On the first day, judges reviewed the audition tapes and sent home 60 acts before they had a chance to sing.[61][65] The remaining contestants were then put into groups and they took part in a sing-off. Contestants had a choice of the following songs to perform: "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)", "Respect", "Moves like Jagger", "Are You Gonna Go My Way", "Crazy in Love", "Next to Me", "She Said", "Use Somebody" and "How to Save a Life". After each performance, the judges decided which acts to keep and which to eliminate. The number of acts was reduced to 70: 21 girls, 22 boys, 12 over 28s and 15 groups.[66] The following day, the remaining acts each performed one song for the judges in front of a live audience, and the day after, the judges decided which acts to put through to judges' houses. They could not decide between groups Triple J and GMD3, so had them each perform again before making a final decision. GMD3 were eventually chosen as the final group through to judges' houses and Triple J were sent home.[63]

Judges' houses and wildcards

The judges received news of their categories from Cowell via telephone, seen during the second bootcamp episode on 23 September.[63][67] Scherzinger mentored the Boys in Dubai, assisted by R&B star Ne-Yo; Tulisa took the Girls to Saint Lucia with Tinie Tempah, Barlow had the Over 28s in Northamptonshire, and Walsh had the Groups in Las Vegas and original judge Sharon Osbourne returned as his assistant.[68] Barlow was reportedly originally planning to go to Majorca, but changed to Boughton House in Northamptonshire so that he could be close to his wife after the death of their baby. Barlow was rumoured to be joined by Robbie Williams,[69] but was instead joined by former judge Cheryl Cole.[70][71] Her arrival was surrounded in secrecy; contestants had their phones removed and Cole was hidden under a tablecloth, so that contestants could not see her sitting next to Barlow.[70]

Rough Copy were originally put through to judges' houses, but were withdrawn from the contest after getting through bootcamp because group member Kazeem "Kaz" Ajobo had a visa application which was being considered by the UK Border Agency. There had been fears that if he travelled abroad during the judges' houses stage, the Nigerian-born 23-year-old from South London may struggle to re-enter the UK. They were replaced by Times Red and Union J (originally Triple J).[72][73] The judges' houses round was broadcast on 29 and 30 September 2012.[74][75]

Judges Houses Performances
  • Contestant in bold advanced

Boys:

Girls:

Groups:

Over 28s:

Key:

  – Wildcard winner
Summary of judges' houses
Judge Category Location Assistant Acts eliminated[75] Wildcards
Barlow Over 28s Boughton House, Northamptonshire Cheryl Cole Nicola Marie, Brad Shackleton Christopher Maloney
Scherzinger Boys Dubai Ne-Yo Nathan Fagan-Gayle, Jake Quickenden Adam Burridge
Tulisa Girls Saint Lucia Tinie Tempah Jade Collins, Leanne Robinson Amy Mottram
Walsh Groups Las Vegas Sharon Osbourne Duke, Mitsotu, Poisonous Twin Times Red

At the end of judges' houses, it was announced that each judge could bring back one further act back as a wildcard. The public then voted for which of the four wildcards would become the thirteenth finalist.[75] This left one judge with an extra act.[76] Scherzinger chose Adam Burridge, Tulisa chose Amy Mottram, Barlow chose Christopher Maloney and Walsh chose Times Red.[75] Maloney was revealed as the winner on the first live show on 6 October 2012.[77] When the voting statistics were announced at the end of the series, Maloney was revealed to have received 63.5% of the vote to return, while Mottram received 17.8%, Times Red received 12.5% and Burridge received 6.2%.[78]

Finalists

The finalists were announced during the episode broadcast on 30 September 2012.[75] The winner of the wildcard vote was revealed on the first live show on 6 October 2012 as Christopher Maloney.[77] The group GMD3 decided to change their name before the live shows, with viewers able to suggest names,[79] and on 5 October, the day before the first live show, they announced their new name, District3.[80]

Key:

  – Winner
  – Runner-up
  – Third place
  – Withdrew
– Wildcard (Live shows)
Act Age(s) Hometown Category (Mentor) Result
James Arthur 24 Saltburn-by-the-Sea Boys (Scherzinger) Winner
Jahméne Douglas 21 Swindon Boys (Scherzinger) Runner-up
Christopher Maloney 34 Liverpool Over 28s (Barlow) 3rd place
Union J 19–24 Various Groups (Walsh) 4th place
Rylan Clark 24 Corringham Boys (Scherzinger) 5th place
Ella Henderson 16 Grimsby Girls (Contostavlos) 6th place
District3 18–19 Various Groups (Walsh) 7th place
Kye Sones 30 Hammersmith Over 28s (Barlow) 8th place
Lucy Spraggan 21 Buxton Girls (Contostavlos) 9th place
Jade Ellis 25 Charlton Girls (Contostavlos) 10th place
MK1 20–25 Hackney Groups (Walsh) 11th place
Melanie Masson 44 Cathcart Over 28s (Barlow) 12th place
Carolynne Poole 32 Huddersfield Over 28s (Barlow) 13th place

Live shows

The live shows started on 6 October 2012. Each week, the contestants perform on Saturday, with the voting lines opening before the performances for the first time in the history of the show.[81] The results are announced on Sunday, with the bottom two contestants being announced and then judges choosing which of the two to eliminate after the contestants perform another song of their choice (the final showdown). If the judges' votes are tied, the vote goes to deadlock and the act with the fewest viewer votes is eliminated. As with previous series, each live show has a different theme. The results show features a group performance by the remaining contestants and guest live performances. The live final took place in Manchester on 8 and 9 December, at Manchester Central.[82] It is the first time the final has been hosted outside London.[83] On 26 August, it was reported that contestants will be able to perform their own material during the live shows, after original songs proved to be popular with the crowds during the audition stages.[84]

Each results show featured musical performances from at least two artists, while occasionally, artists performed on the main performances show. Leona Lewis and Ne-Yo performed on the first results show,[85] while series 7 runner-up Rebecca Ferguson and Taylor Swift appeared on the second.[86] The third results show featured Labrinth with Emeli Sandé and series 5 runners-up JLS.[87] fun. and Robbie Williams performed the following week,[88] and Rita Ora and No Doubt both performed in the fifth week.[89][90] The sixth week included performances from series 7 contestants One Direction,[91] Ed Sheeran and series 8 winners Little Mix.[92] Alicia Keys and The Xtra Factor presenter and series 6 runner-up Olly Murs performed during the seventh live result show,[93] while Rihanna and Bruno Mars performed on the eighth.[94] The semi-final results show featured performances from Pink and judge Tulisa, who was due to perform the previous week, but due to the delay of the release of her new single, postponed her performance.[95][96] The live final featured performances from Kylie Minogue, Ora and Kelly Clarkson,[97] and the final three performed duets with their mentors, with Only Boys Aloud appearing during Douglas and Scherzinger's, while the final results show featured performances from One Direction, Sandé and Rihanna.[98]

Results summary
Colour key

  Act in team Gary

  Act in team Tulisa

  Act in team Louis

  Act in team Nicole

  –Act did not face the public vote
  –Act was in the bottom two and had to sing again in the final showdown
  –Act received the fewest public votes and was immediately eliminated (no final showdown)
  –Act who withdrew from the competition
  –Act received the most public votes
  –Act was given a "Bye Week" and automatically advanced to the following week
Weekly results per act[78]
Act Week 11 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Quarter-Final Semi-Final Final
Wildcard Vote Elimination Vote Saturday Vote Sunday Vote
James Arthur N/A1 6th
5.6%		 6th
7.4%		 6th
7.4%		 3rd
12.0%		 6th
7.7%		 3rd
14.0%		 5th
13.7%		 1st
40.7%		 1st
41.2%		 1st
51.7%		 Winner
53.7%4
Jahméne Douglas 2nd
13.2%		 2nd
11.4%		 2nd
15.6%		 2nd
15.4%		 2nd
16.9%		 2nd
14.9%		 2nd
17.4%		 3rd
18.1%		 2nd
22.0%		 2nd
31.5%		 Runner-up
38.9%4
Christopher Maloney 1st
63.5%		 1st
28.8%		 1st
21.9%		 1st
22.6%		 1st
24.7%		 1st
27.6%		 1st
23.6%		 1st
26.4%		 2nd
21.0%		 3rd
18.7%		 3rd
16.8%		 Eliminated
(final)
Union J N/A1 4th
7.3%		 7th
7.1%		 8th
5.9%		 8th
6.3%		 4th
10.4%		 6th
11.7%		 4th
14.7%		 4th
11.8%		 4th
18.1%		 Eliminated
(semi-final)
Rylan Clark 12th
3.1%		 3rd
10.2%		 4th
8.8%		 7th
7.2%		 7th
7.2%		 5th
12.4%		 3rd
15.7%		 5th
8.4%		 Eliminated
(quarter-final)
Ella Henderson 3rd
13.1%		 4th
9.5%		 3rd
10.2%		 6th
8.2%		 5th
8.8%		 4th
13.0%		 6th
12.1%		 Eliminated
(week 7)
District3 8th
4.0%		 11th
4.7%		 5th
8.4%		 4th
10.0%		 3rd
14.7%		 7th
10.4%		 Eliminated
(week 6)
Kye Sones 7th
4.1%		 8th
5.3%		 10th
4.9%		 5th
10.0%		 8th
6.7%		 Eliminated
(week 5)
Lucy Spraggan 5th
7.3%		 5th
7.6%		 7th
6.5%		 Bye Week2 Withdrew
(week 5)
Jade Ellis 9th
4.0%		 9th
5.2%		 9th
5.1%		 9th
6.2%		 Eliminated
(week 4)
MK1 10th
3.4%		 10th
5.1%		 11th
4.6%		 Eliminated
(week 3)
Melanie Masson 11th
3.2%		 12th
4.6%		 Eliminated
(week 2)
Carolynne Poole 13th
2.9%		 Eliminated
(week 1)
Amy Mottram 2nd
17.8%		 Not Returned
(week 1)
Times Red 3rd
12.5%
Adam Burridge 4th
6.2%
Final Showdown N/A1 Clark,
Poole		 District3,
Masson		 MK1,
Sones		 Ellis,
Union J		 Clark,
Sones		 District3,
Union J		 Arthur,
Henderson		 Clark,
Union J		 No final showdown or judges' votes; results were based on public votes alone
Louis’ vote to eliminate (Groups) PooleMassonSonesEllisClarkNone (abstained)ArthurClark
Nicole’s vote to eliminate (Boys) PooleDistrict3MK1EllisSonesDistrict3HendersonUnion J
Tulisa's vote to eliminate (Girls) ClarkMassonSonesUnion JSonesN/A3ArthurClark
Gary’s vote to eliminate (Over 28s) ClarkDistrict3MK1EllisClarkDistrict3HendersonClark
Eliminated Carolynne Poole
2 of 4 votes
Deadlock		 Melanie Masson
2 of 4 votes
Deadlock		 MK1
2 of 4 votes
Deadlock		 Jade Ellis
3 of 4 votes
Majority		 Kye Sones
2 of 4 votes
Deadlock		 District3
2 of 2 votes
Majority		 Ella Henderson
2 of 4 votes
Deadlock		 Rylan Clark
3 of 4 votes
Majority		 Union J
18.1%
to save		 Christopher Maloney
16.8%
to save		 Jahméne Douglas
38.9%
to win
Reference(s) [78] [99] [86] [87] [100] [101] [92] [102] [94] [95] [103] [104]
  • ^1 At the end of judges' houses, it was announced that each judge could bring back one further act back as a wildcard. One of the four wildcards chosen by the judges who were eliminated during the judges' houses (Adam Burridge, Christopher Maloney, Amy Mottram and Times Red) returned to the competition following a public vote. The winner of the vote was announced as Christopher Maloney with 63.5%.[78]
  • ^2 Spraggan was given a bye week for week 4 as she was too ill to perform. She withdrew during week 5.[105]
  • ^3 Contostavlos was not required to vote as there was already a majority. However, she stated that she would have voted to send home Union J.[92]
  • ^4 The voting percentages in the final for the Sunday Vote do not add up to 100%, owing to the freezing of votes. Christopher Maloney received 7.4% of the final vote.[78]

Week 1 (6/7 October)

The result of the wildcard vote was revealed before the performances, with Christopher Maloney announced as the winner.[106]

Contestants' performances on the first live show
Act Category (Mentor) Order[77] Song[77] Result[99]
District3 Groups (Walsh) 1 "The Best" Safe
James Arthur Boys (Scherzinger) 2 "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" Safe
Melanie Masson Over 28s (Barlow) 3 "With a Little Help from My Friends" Safe
Lucy Spraggan Girls (Tulisa) 4 "Mountains" (original song) Safe
MK1 Groups (Walsh) 5 "Champion"/"Every 1's a Winner" Safe
Christopher Maloney Over 28s (Barlow) 6 "Hero" Safe (Highest Votes)
Union J Groups (Walsh) 7 "Don't Stop Me Now" Safe
Jade Ellis Girls (Tulisa) 8 "Hero" Safe
Rylan Clark Boys (Scherzinger) 9 "Gold" Bottom two
Kye Sones Over 28s (Barlow) 10 "Man in the Mirror" Safe
Ella Henderson Girls (Tulisa) 11 "Rule the World" Safe
Carolynne Poole Over 28s (Barlow) 12 "Starships" Bottom two
Jahméne Douglas Boys (Scherzinger) 13 "Imagine" Safe
Final showdown details
Rylan Clark Boys (Scherzinger) 1 "One Night Only" Saved
Carolynne Poole Over 28s (Barlow) 2 "There You'll Be" Eliminated
Call Out Order

Kye, James, District3, Ella, Lucy, MK1, Melanie, Jahmene, Jade, Union J & Christopher

Judges' votes to eliminate[2][85][99]
  • Scherzinger: Carolynne Poole – backed her own act, Rylan Clark, stating that she "believe[s] in him"
  • Barlow: Rylan Clark – backed his own act, Carolynne Poole, stating that the decision was "easy"
  • Tulisa: Rylan Clark – stated that she loved Rylan "with all her heart" but made her decision based on the vocal performance in the final showdown
  • Walsh: Carolynne Poole – said that he loved both acts, and said he wanted to "keep Carolynne", but when O'Leary asked him if that meant he was sending home Clark, he said he wanted to save them both and then voted to send the result to deadlock. He took 2 minutes to vote as his decision was extremely hard.

With the acts in the bottom two receiving two votes each, the result went to deadlock and reverted to the earlier public vote. Poole was eliminated as the act with the fewest public votes;[99] upon this revelation, Barlow immediately stormed off the stage.[2]

Week 2 (13/14 October)
Contestants' performances on the second live show
Act Category (Mentor) Order[107] Song[107] Result[86]
Jahméne Douglas Boys (Scherzinger) 1 "Tears Dry on Their Own"/"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" Safe
Christopher Maloney Over 28s (Barlow) 2 "Alone" Safe (Highest Votes)
Union J Groups (Walsh) 3 "Bleeding Love"/"Broken Strings" Safe
Ella Henderson Girls (Tulisa) 4 "Lovin' You" Safe
James Arthur Boys (Scherzinger) 5 "No More Drama" Safe
Lucy Spraggan Girls (Tulisa) 6 "Gold Digger" Safe
District3 Groups (Walsh) 7 "I Swear" Bottom two
Jade Ellis Girls (Tulisa) 8 "Love Is a Losing Game" Safe
MK1 Groups (Walsh) 9 "I Want You Back" Safe
Kye Sones Over 28s (Barlow) 10 "Love the Way You Lie (Part II)"/"Thank You" Safe
Rylan Clark Boys (Scherzinger) 11 "Back for Good"/"Groove Is in the Heart"/"Gangnam Style"/"Pump Up the Jam" Safe
Melanie Masson Over 28s (Barlow) 12 "Never Tear Us Apart" Bottom two
Final showdown details[108]
District3 Groups (Walsh) 1 "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" Saved
Melanie Masson Over 28s (Barlow) 2 "Stay with Me" Eliminated
Call Out Order

James, Lucy, Union J, Ella, Jahmene, Christopher, MK1, Jade, Rylan & Kye

Judges' votes to eliminate[108]
  • Walsh: Melanie Masson – backed his own act, District3.
  • Tulisa: Melanie Masson – stated her heart was with District3.
  • Barlow: District3 – backed his own act, Melanie Masson.
  • Scherzinger: District3 – felt Masson’s final showdown performance showed that she waited her whole life for a record deal opportunity as she was the oldest contestant.

With the acts in the bottom two receiving two votes each, the result went to deadlock and reverted to the earlier public vote. Masson was eliminated as the act with the fewest public votes.[86]

Week 3 (20/21 October)
Contestants' performances on the third live show
Act Category (Mentor) Order[110] Song[110] Result[87]
Christopher Maloney Over 28s (Barlow) 1 "Waiting for a Star to Fall" Safe (Highest Votes)
MK1 Groups (Walsh) 2 "Gypsy Woman (She's Homeless)"/"Pass Out" Bottom two
Jahméne Douglas Boys (Scherzinger) 3 "I Say a Little Prayer" Safe
Jade Ellis Girls (Tulisa) 4 "Free" Safe
James Arthur Boys (Scherzinger) 5 "Sexy and I Know It" Safe
Union J Groups (Walsh) 6 "When Love Takes Over" Safe
Rylan Clark Boys (Scherzinger) 7 "On the Floor"/"Don't Stop the Music"/"I See You Baby" Safe
Lucy Spraggan Girls (Tulisa) 8 "Titanium" Safe
Kye Sones Over 28s (Barlow) 9 "Save the World" Bottom two
District3 Groups (Walsh) 10 "Beggin'"/"Turn Up the Music" Safe
Ella Henderson Girls (Tulisa) 11 "You Got the Love" Safe
Final showdown details[87]
MK1 Groups (Walsh) 1 "The Man Who Can't Be Moved" Eliminated
Kye Sones Over 28s (Barlow) 2 "I Can't Make You Love Me" Saved
Call Out Order

Union J, Ella, James, Rylan, Christopher, Jahmene, District3, Lucy & Jade

Judges' votes to eliminate[87]
  • Walsh: Kye Sones – backed his own act, MK1.
  • Barlow: MK1 – backed his own act, Kye Sones.
  • Scherzinger: MK1 – based on the final showdown performances.
  • Tulisa: Kye Sones – felt she had a better connection with MK1 due to their similarity to her own band N-Dubz and that MK1 were needed for the competition.

With the acts in the bottom two receiving two votes each, the result went to deadlock and reverted to the earlier public vote. MK1 were eliminated as the act with the fewest public votes.[87]

Week 4 (27/28 October)
Contestants' performances on the fourth live show
Act Category (Mentor) Order Song[113] Result[100]
Kye Sones Over 28s (Barlow) 1 "Let Me Entertain You" Safe
Union J Groups (Walsh) 2 "Sweet Dreams" Bottom two
Rylan Clark Boys (Scherzinger) 3 "Toxic"/"Horny"/"Poison" Safe
Ella Henderson Girls (Tulisa) 4 "Bring Me to Life" Safe
Christopher Maloney Over 28s (Barlow) 5 "(I Just) Died in Your Arms" Safe (Highest Votes)
District3 Groups (Walsh) 6 "Every Breath You Take"/"Beautiful Monster" Safe
Jahméne Douglas Boys (Scherzinger) 7 "Killing Me Softly with His Song" Safe
Jade Ellis Girls (Tulisa) 8 "Freak like Me" Bottom two
James Arthur Boys (Scherzinger) 9 "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" Safe
Lucy Spraggan Girls (Tulisa) Did not perform Bye Week1 Automatically advanced
Final showdown details[100]
Union J Groups (Walsh) 1 "Perfect" Saved
Jade Ellis Girls (Tulisa) 2 "White Flag" Eliminated
Call Out Order

Ella, District3, Jahmene, James, Kye, Rylan & Christopher

^1 Lucy Spraggan did not perform as she was not well and automatically advanced to the following week. It was the second time this happened in the show's history, with Diana Vickers being the first in series 5.[105]

Judges' votes to eliminate[100]
  • Walsh: Jade Ellis – backed his own act, Union J.
  • Tulisa: Union J – backed her own act, Jade Ellis.
  • Scherzinger: Jade Ellis – thought that Union J had been better performers overall.
  • Barlow: Jade Ellis – wondered if she had the desire to succeed in the competition, and stated he was excited about where Union J could go in the future.

Week 5 (3/4 November)

On 3 November 2012, it was announced that Spraggan withdrew from the competition due to illness. She was not replaced and the elimination went ahead as normal.[116]

Contestants' performances on the fifth live show
Act Category (Mentor) Order[114] Song[114] Result[101]
Rylan Clark Boys (Scherzinger) 1 "Hung Up"/"Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)" Bottom two
Union J Groups (Walsh) 2 "Love Story" Safe
Kye Sones Over 28s (Barlow) 3 "You Get What You Give" Bottom two
James Arthur Boys (Scherzinger) 4 "Don't Speak" Safe
Ella Henderson Girls (Tulisa) 5 "Firework" Safe
District3 Groups (Walsh) 6 "Dynamite" Safe
Jahméne Douglas Boys (Scherzinger) 7 "Listen" Safe
Christopher Maloney Over 28s (Barlow) 8 "All by Myself" Safe (Highest Votes)
Final showdown details[101]
Rylan Clark Boys (Scherzinger) 1 "Kissing You" Saved
Kye Sones Over 28s (Barlow) 2 "I Won't Give Up" Eliminated
Call Out Order

Union J, Jahmene, Christopher, James, Ella & District3

Judges' votes to eliminate[101]
  • Scherzinger: Kye Sones – backed her own act, Rylan Clark.
  • Barlow: Rylan Clark – backed his own act, Kye Sones, whom he said was better in the final showdown.
  • Walsh: Rylan Clark – stated he was doing "the right thing".
  • Tulisa: Kye Sones – stated she looked forward to seeing Clark more and went with her heart.

With the acts in the bottom two receiving two votes each, the result went to deadlock and reverted to the earlier public vote. Sones was eliminated as the act with the fewest public votes.[101]

Week 6 (10/11 November)
Contestants' performances on the sixth live show
Act Category (Mentor) Order[118] Song[118] British artist Result[92]
Christopher Maloney Over 28s (Barlow) 1 "I'm Still Standing" Elton John Safe (Highest Votes)
Jahméne Douglas Boys (Scherzinger) 2 "Angels" Robbie Williams Safe
District3 Groups (Walsh) 3 "Tears in Heaven" Eric Clapton Bottom two
Ella Henderson Girls (Tulisa) 4 "Written in the Stars" Tinie Tempah Safe
Rylan Clark Boys (Scherzinger) 5 "Say You'll Be There"/"Who Do You Think You Are"/"Wannabe"/"Spice Up Your Life" Spice Girls Safe
Union J Groups (Walsh) 6 "Fix You" Coldplay Bottom two
James Arthur Boys (Scherzinger) 7 "Hometown Glory" Adele Safe
Final showdown details[92]
District3 Groups (Walsh) 1 "Just the Way You Are" Eliminated
Union J Groups (Walsh) 2 "Set Fire to the Rain" Saved
Call Out Order

James, Rylan, Jahmene, Ella & Christopher

Judges' votes to eliminate[92]
  • Walsh abstained from voting as both acts were in his category.
  • Barlow: District3 – based on the final showdown performances.
  • Scherzinger: District3 – felt that Union J were more mature and had more chance of long-term success.
  • Tulisa was not required to vote since there was already a majority, but confirmed she would have eliminated Union J due to her sharing a deep connection with District3.

Week 7 (17/18 November)
Contestants' performances on the seventh live show
Act Category (Mentor) Order Song[119] Guilty Pleasure Result[102]
Union J Groups (Walsh) 1 "Call Me Maybe" Carly Rae Jepsen Safe
Ella Henderson Girls (Tulisa) 2 "You're the One That I Want" Olivia Newton-John & John Travolta Bottom two
James Arthur Boys (Scherzinger) 3 "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" Lauryn Hill Bottom two
Rylan Clark Boys (Scherzinger) 4 "Girls on Film"/"When Will I Be Famous?" Duran Duran / Bros Safe
Christopher Maloney Over 28s (Barlow) 5 "Total Eclipse of the Heart" Bonnie Tyler Safe (Highest Votes)
Jahméne Douglas Boys (Scherzinger) 6 "Don't Leave Me This Way" Thelma Houston Safe
Final showdown details[102]
Ella Henderson Girls (Tulisa) 1 "If You're Not the One" Eliminated
James Arthur Boys (Scherzinger) 2 "Fallin'" Saved
Call Out Order

Union J, Rylan, Jahmene & Christopher

Judges' votes to eliminate[102]
  • Tulisa: James Arthur – gave no reason but said it was obvious and effectively backed her own act, Ella Henderson, though she was confused by the public vote, saying it was “ridiculous” that both acts were in the bottom two.
  • Scherzinger: Ella Henderson – backed her own act, James Arthur, saying it was “a great tragedy” that both acts were in the bottom two.
  • Walsh: James Arthur – gave no specific reason, though said that Arthur was a "ready-made" recording artist and Henderson had more potential.
  • Barlow: Ella Henderson – said he had "been right behind" Arthur from the beginning.

With the acts in the bottom two receiving two votes each, the result went to deadlock and reverted to the earlier public vote. Henderson was eliminated as the act with the fewest public votes.[102]

Week 8: Quarter-Final (24/25 November)

For the first time this series, each contestant performed two songs.[120][121]

Contestants' performances on the eighth live show
Act Category (Mentor) Order First song[120] Order Second song[120] Motown Artist Result[94]
Rylan Clark Boys (Scherzinger) 1 "Mamma Mia" 7 "Baby Love"/"Stop! In the Name of Love"/"You Keep Me Hangin' On" The Supremes Bottom two
Union J Groups (Walsh) 2 "The Winner Takes It All" 6 "I'll Be There" Jackson 5 Bottom two
Jahméne Douglas Boys (Scherzinger) 3 "I Have a Dream" 9 "The Tracks of My Tears" The Miracles Safe
James Arthur 4 "SOS" 8 "Let's Get It On" Marvin Gaye Safe (Highest Votes)
Christopher Maloney Over 28s (Barlow) 5 "Fernando" 10 "Dancing on the Ceiling" Lionel Richie Safe
Final showdown details[94]
Rylan Clark Boys (Scherzinger) 1 "Wires" Eliminated
Union J Groups (Walsh) 2 "Run" Saved
Call Out Order

James, Christopher & Jahmene

Judges' votes to eliminate[94]
  • Scherzinger: Union J – backed her own act, Rylan Clark.
  • Walsh: Rylan Clark – based on the final showdown performances, effectively backing his own act, Union J.
  • Barlow: Rylan Clark – gave no specific reason, but despite their feud praised Clark for "the best vocals so far" and for his resilience, entertainment factor and tolerance.
  • Tulisa: Rylan Clark – felt Union J had more potential to sell records.

Week 9: Semi-Final (1/2 December)
Contestants' performances on the ninth live show
Act Category (Mentor) Order First song[123] Order Second song[123] Result[95]
Christopher Maloney Over 28s (Barlow) 1 "You Raise Me Up" 6 "Haven't Met You Yet" Safe
Jahméne Douglas Boys (Scherzinger) 2 "I Look to You" 5 "At Last" Safe
Union J Groups (Walsh) 3 "Beneath Your Beautiful" 7 "I'm Already There" Eliminated
James Arthur Boys (Scherzinger) 4 "One" 8 "The Power of Love" Safe (Highest Votes)
Call Out Order

James, Christopher & Jahmene

Lowest Votes: Union J

The semi-final did not feature a final showdown and instead the act with the fewest public votes, Union J, were automatically eliminated. After their elimination, Union J reprised their week 5 performance of "Love Story".[95]

Week 10: Final (8/9 December)

The final, held at Manchester Central,[82] consisted of two two-hour episodes on 8 and 9 December.[124][125]

8 December
Contestants' performances on the tenth live show
Act Category (Mentor) Order First song[103] Order Second song (duet) Result[103]
Jahméne Douglas Boys (Scherzinger) 1 "Move On Up" 4 "The Greatest Love of All" (with Nicole Scherzinger featuring Only Boys Aloud) Safe
Christopher Maloney Over 28s (Barlow) 2 "Flashdance... What a Feeling" 5 "Rule the World" (with Gary Barlow) Eliminated
James Arthur Boys (Scherzinger) 3 "Feeling Good" 6 "Make You Feel My Love" (with Nicole Scherzinger) Safe
9 December
Contestants' performances on the final live show
Act Category (Mentor) Order First song[104] Order Second song[104] Result[104]
Jahméne Douglas Boys (Scherzinger) 1 "Angels" 3 "Let It Be" Runner-up
James Arthur Boys (Scherzinger) 2 "Let's Get It On" 4 "Impossible" Winner

Winner's single

On 31 October 2012, it was reported that there would not be a charity single released by the finalists this year, as there was in the previous four years, and that the winner's single may be released for charity to give it a greater chance of reaching number one.[128][129] This was confirmed by Simon Cowell on 28 November, who announced that the single would be released on 9 December and that 100% of the profits would go to children's charity Together for Short Lives.[130] The winners' songs were revealed on 8 December 2012, with Arthur to release "Impossible" as his debut single. If he had won, Douglas would have released "Let It Be", while Christopher Maloney's winner's song would have been "The Reason", and Union J's would have been "Skyscraper".[131][132]

Reception

Ratings

This series' launch was the lowest-rated launch episode of the show since series 3, seen by 8.09 million viewers according to overnight figures, a 39.4% share of the total viewing audience at the time, on ITV1 between 8 pm and 9.15 pm and 616,000 (2.9%) on ITV1+1. It peaked with 9.2 million in the last half-hour. The average figure of 8.1 million was down 2.7 million from the previous year.[133] The following week, the ratings increased to an average of 8.4 million,[134] but by the fourth episode, the ratings had dropped to an overnight average of 7.7 million, 2.9 million fewer than the previous year.[135] The fifth episode was the first broadcast on a Sunday, and ratings were still down from the previous year, though The X Factor was the most watched programme on any channel on both days.[136] The following week, Strictly Come Dancing was launched on BBC One, and although the shows did not directly clash, The X Factor had more viewers based on average overnight figures, though Strictly Come Dancing had a higher peak rating of 9.8 million compared to The X Factor's 9.5 million.[137] The next day, The X Factor also received more viewers than the first episode in the third series of Downton Abbey.[138] The two bootcamp episodes performed similarly to the previous week, though the Sunday night episode received 400,000 fewer viewers than the previous week.[139][140] The episode in which the final 12 contestants were revealed was watched by an overnight average of 9.46 million viewers, and was beaten by Downton Abbey for the first time.[141]

When the live shows started, Strictly Come Dancing also started its live shows, and beat The X Factor in the ratings, according to overnight figures.[142] The first live results show was more successful, with overnight ratings of 9.42 million, peaking at 11 million, though it was still beaten by Downton Abbey.[143] The X Factor's second live show, on 13 October, received the same ratings as the previous week, and was again beaten by Strictly Come Dancing, reported as "its most convincing victory over The X Factor in six years".[144] The next week, Strictly Come Dancing's lead on The X Factor increased, with The X Factor's peak rating of 9.3 million being less than Strictly Come Dancing's average rating of 9.91 million.[145] The next day, The X Factor was beaten by Strictly Come Dancing for the first time on a Sunday, as well as Downton Abbey, though The X Factor had a higher peak rating than Strictly Come Dancing.[146] By the fifth live show, ratings had dropped to an average of 7.6 million, the fifth Saturday in a row where The X Factor was beaten in the ratings by Strictly Come Dancing.[147] It was reported that the ratings were the lowest for a fifth live show of The X Factor since series 1 in 2004.[148] While Strictly Come Dancing continued to beat The X Factor on Saturday nights, The X Factor always beat it on Sundays, but continued to be beaten by Downton Abbey, based on overnight figures.[149][150]

By the sixth live show, Strictly Come Dancing was more than 2 million viewers ahead of The X Factor,[147] and the launch of the twelfth series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!. While 8.8 million watched the sixth live results show, 10.3 million tuned in to watch I'm a Celebrity..., meaning that it beat The X Factor in the ratings battle for the first time since 2006.[151] The seventh live show saw I'm a Celebrity... beat The X Factor again, with Strictly Come Dancing again being the most watched Saturday night programme,[152] but the controversial live results show the following night, which saw Ella Henderson eliminated after ending up in the bottom two with James Arthur, produced 9.44 million for The X Factor. I'm a Celebrity... was again the highest rated show of the Sunday night, while Strictly Come Dancing just came up on top of The X Factor by a margin of less than 500,000, though The X Factor's peak of nearly 11 million was higher than Strictly Come Dancing's peak of 10.4 million.[153] The final result received the lowest viewing figures for a final in seven years.[154] It was beaten by Strictly Come Dancing, which was two weeks away from its final, getting 2 million more viewers than The X Factor's 10.04 million.[155]

Summary of episode ratings
Episode Air date Official ITV1 rating
(millions)[155]		 Weekly rank[155] ^1 Share (%) Official ITV1 HD rating
(millions)[156]		 Official ITV1+1 rating
(millions)[156]		 Total ITV1 viewers
(millions)
Auditions 1 18 August8.08639.4[133]1.020.679.77
Auditions 2 25 August8.57136.1[134]1.050.5110.13
Auditions 3 1 September8.39335.0[157]0.970.439.79
Auditions 4 8 September8.03433.9[135]0.950.529.50
Auditions 5 9 September7.50930.2[136]1.060.519.07
Auditions 6 15 September8.70439.5[137]1.030.5810.31
Auditions 7 16 September9.07236.4[138]1.100.4310.60
Bootcamp 1 22 September9.52334.9[139]0.940.4410.90
Bootcamp 2 23 September9.76233.6[140]1.210.5011.47
Judges' houses 1 29 September8.44635.9[158]1.280.4910.21
Judges' houses 2 30 September9.35235.4[141]1.210.4110.97
Live show 1 6 October8.61533.9[142]1.190.3910.19
Live results 1 7 October9.09331.9[143]1.10Unknown^2 Unknown^2
Live show 2 13 October8.47836.2[144]1.340.3410.15
Live results 2 14 October8.83335.3[159]1.20Unknown^3 Unknown^3
Live show 3 20 October8.251134.8[145]1.050.409.70
Live results 3 21 October8.83534.7[146]1.020.3110.16
Live show 4 27 October8.231134.8[160]1.110.339.67
Live results 4 28 October8.51633.6[161]1.030.349.88
Live show 5 3 November7.631632.3[147]1.120.389.13
Live results 5 4 November8.29933.2[150]1.200.279.76
Live show 6 10 November7.971133.7[162]1.220.319.50
Live results 6 11 November8.25733.3[151]1.06Unknown^4 Unknown^4
Live show 7 17 November7.891533.8[152]1.06Unknown^5 Unknown^5
Live results 7 18 November8.91533.3[153]1.03Unknown^5 Unknown^5
Live show 8 24 November7.652033.1[163]1.04Unknown^6 Unknown^6
Live results 8 25 November8.371434.0[164]1.20Unknown^6 Unknown^6
Live show 9 1 December7.402032.3[165]1.06Unknown^7 Unknown^7
Live results 9 2 December8.221432.0[166]1.060.299.57
Live final 8 December8.78438.4[167]1.410.2210.41
Live final results 9 December10.04339.1[154]1.46Unknown^8 Unknown^8
Series average 8.51N/AN/A1.190.4110.00
1 The rank for the ITV1 broadcast, compared with all channels for that week, from Monday to Sunday.
2 The ITV+1 rating for the Live Results show that was broadcast on 7 October 2012 is unavailable as it is outside the Top 10 ratings recorded on the BARB website. It had fewer than 0.28 million viewers.
3 The ITV+1 rating for the Live Results show that was broadcast on 14 October 2012 is unavailable as it is outside the Top 10 ratings recorded on the BARB website. It had fewer than 0.30 million viewers.
4 The ITV+1 rating for the Live Results show that was broadcast on 11 November 2012 is unavailable as it is outside the Top 10 ratings recorded on the BARB website. It had fewer than 0.28 million viewers.
5 The ITV+1 rating for the Live show and Live Results show that was broadcast on 17 and 18 November 2012 is unavailable as it is outside the Top 10 ratings recorded on the BARB website. It had fewer than 0.26 million viewers.
6 The ITV+1 rating for the Live show and Live Results show that was broadcast on 24 and 25 November 2012 is unavailable as it is outside the Top 10 ratings recorded on the BARB website. It had fewer than 0.25 million viewers.
7 The ITV+1 rating for the Live show that was broadcast on 1 December 2012 is unavailable as it is outside the Top 10 ratings recorded on the BARB website. It had fewer than 0.29 million viewers.
8 The ITV+1 rating for the Live Results show that was broadcast on 9 December 2012 is unavailable as it is outside the Top 10 ratings recorded on the BARB website. It had fewer than 0.18 million viewers.

Controversies

Trailer

On 30 July 2012, the trailer for the series premiered. Entitled "Whose Time Is Now?", it features six former The X Factor contestants—winners Lewis, Alexandra Burke and Little Mix, and runners-up JLS, Murs and One Direction—talking about their time on the show and how it changed their lives.[168] Male winners Steve Brookstein, Shayne Ward, Leon Jackson, Joe McElderry and Matt Cardle were not included. Ward blasted this, calling the show "pathetic" for leaving him out and saying it was like he was "being erased slowly from their history."[169] McElderry, who won in 2009, said "I'm just gonna keep doing my thing", which many fans believed to be prompted by the trailer.[170][171] McElderry later admitted that he was not angry about not being included in the trailer. In an interview with the Daily Star Sunday, he said: "I'm not on Simon [Cowell]'s label so I wouldn't expect him to promote me. If they want to erase the fact I won [The] X Factor or try to hide it, I don't care. Personally I am proud I came from The X Factor. If [Cowell] doesn't feel the same then you'll have to ask him why."[172]

Auditions

During the first auditions episode, broadcast on 18 August, one of the auditionees in Cardiff, Zoe Alexander, a Pink tribute singer, tried to "smash" equipment after arguing with the judges about her claim that she was told to sing a Pink song after she sang "So What". Barlow asked her to sing a second song, which was "Next to Me" by Emeli Sandé. After being criticised and given a "no", Alexander threw down her microphone as she left the stage. Her father brought her back to the stage to pick up her microphone where she swore at the judges. She then stormed backstage, hit a camera operator, continued swearing and, when the cameras were turned off, hit a female producer of the show. Alexander was later cautioned by the police.[173] She later claimed that her voice had been Auto-Tuned for the broadcast. Executive producer Richard Holloway said that every auditionee had a choice of five songs, adding: "All the contestants that go in front of the judges, they're all spoken to by the production team as they have to get all the tracks to play so the conversation takes place between them and us about what they want to sing and they go through their choices and the final decision about what they are going to sing when they walk on the stage is theirs, 100% theirs."[174] Alexander complained to Ofcom; her complaint was not upheld.[175]

Ofcom received 35 complaints about Alison Brunton's audition, in which she performed "The Edge of Glory", from people concerned about the impact on her two children, aged 14 and 16, who were watching from backstage. The broadcasting code states that under-18s must not be "caused unnecessary distress or anxiety by their involvement in programmes". O'Leary asked the children if they would be teased at school, to which Brunton's son said, "I'm never going to hear the end of this," though smiling at the time. An ITV spokeswoman said: "The X Factor does not include child contestants but takes the welfare of any children featured in the show very seriously. It is a well-established format and contestants regularly bring along their family to support them, as Alison did. Footage of family members is only used when appropriate consent has been obtained."[176] Ofcom also received 34 complaints about the audition of Lorna Bliss, a Britney Spears impersonator who wore a body stocking, saying the programme may have broken guidelines on taste and decency. Bliss gave Walsh a lapdance and chased Barlow through the studio during her performance. The spokeswoman stated: "Lorna's performance and its editing was carefully considered by the producers and ITV. We do not believe her routine exceeded generally accepted standards or the expectations of the vast majority of the audience."[176]

Lucy Spraggan

In week 4, Lucy Spraggan, who had previously been one of the favourites to win, was given a bye week automatically advanced to the following week due to illness.[105] Some viewers felt it was unfair that she had been given "special treatment", especially as she had been on a string of "boozy nights" with fellow contestant Rylan Clark. Additionally, Jade Ellis, who was sent home that week, sang for survival despite a sore throat. A show source insisted that Spraggan had been in a far worse condition that any of the other contestants.[177] The following week, Spraggan withdrew from the show.[116]

Christopher Maloney's absence from the Sunday final

Maloney was allegedly excluded from the final group performance at the start of the live final results show on 9 December, due to being late for rehearsals, the fact that he "smelt of alcohol" and a fight that occurred between him and Carolynne Poole, during which he reportedly called her a "cunt".[178][179] A spokesperson for The X Factor said: "Chris decided he no longer wanted to be part of the X Factor Final and has gone back to Liverpool." Writing on Twitter, Poole hinted at the dismay backstage, saying The X Factor "can also create monsters". Maloney responded by saying Poole was "disgraceful" and would "do anything to get a headline". He later tweeted the show and Barlow, saying, "[I] can't believe all the bulls*** (bullshit) yet again! [T]his is a witch hunt for [definite]. [T]he show is over", and claimed: "I am being bullied! [B]ig time."[180] Maloney claimed he missed the group performance due to illness. MK1 & Lucy Spraggan were also not included in the final performance.

Judges' comments

During the second live show on 13 October, O'Leary apologised after Tulisa used the term MILF, referring to Melanie Masson's performance.

After Maloney's performance during the fourth live show on 27 October, Barlow insulted Tulisa. Before his insult, she criticised Barlow, Maloney's mentor by saying, "Gary I have to ask you, how many of these eighties (1980s) classics are you going to let him keep destroying honestly?". Without Barlow responding at that point, Tulisa further explained her frustration, "Every week he's getting the same critique of all of the judges it's always an issue. Why not change it up for him?". She continued, "I feel bad having to say the same thing to you each week. I don't think it's fair. You do the same thing over and over again with him it's not working". After Tulisa made her statement Barlow replied, "Tulisa, I don't know what's offended me more—what you've said or the fag ash breath." Tulisa responded to his insult by saying, "Just a note for Gary, seriously. Just a note for Gary, lay off the red wine because I can really smell that as well." Barlow later apologised for his comment, and agreed that he had previously enjoyed the smell of cigarettes as he is a former smoker.[181]

The seventh results show on 18 November attracted controversy when Scherzinger introduced Arthur for his survival performance by saying, "This is James effing Arthur!". As "effing" is an alternative way of saying the explicit word "fucking" and the show was broadcast before the watershed, Scherzinger later apologised on the following episode of The Xtra Factor: "I'm so sorry. You spend every day with these people, you spend so much time with them. Ella was the last female in the competition. I was passionate about her as well as James Arthur, who is one of the greatest human talents ever. I'm so sorry for my effing."[182]

Voting

In the first live show, the voting lines opened before the contestants had performed, the first time this had happened in the history of the show. This was branded "money grabbing" by some viewers, and it was reported that the change to the rules could have affected the voting results, as the acts who performed first would get a "head start" in the votes. The two acts in the bottom two, Clark and Poole, had performed 9th and 12th respectively out of 13 acts. The acts performing 11th and 13th, Ella Henderson and Jahméne Douglas, were already among the favourites to win. ITV defended the change, stating it would allow viewers "to interact immediately with their favourite acts".[81]

On 7 October, the first results show sparked major controversy when Poole was eliminated over Clark in the final showdown. First Scherzinger voted against Poole, then Barlow and Tulisa voted against Clark, leaving Walsh with the casting vote. His vote either meant that if he would vote against Clark, Clark would be eliminated or if he voted against Poole, the result would go to deadlock, where the public vote would decide the result. Walsh appeared to change his mind while he was deliberating. When O'Leary asked him who he wanted to send home, Walsh deliberated for some time, before stating, "I'm going to go with Carolynne, I want to keep Carolynne.". O'Leary then asked him to clarify if his statement meant he was sending home Clark, to which Walsh responded by saying he wanted to save both Clark and Poole. O'Leary then reiterated that he needed Walsh to say who he was sending home. Walsh finally made his decision by saying, "I want to take it to deadlock!" which meant he voted against Poole. After Walsh sent the result to deadlock, O'Leary revealed that Poole had received the fewest public votes and she was voted out. Straight after hearing O'Leary's revelation, Barlow, Poole's mentor, slammed his pen on the judges desk, then angrily stood up from his chair, stormed off stage, out of the studio and into his dressing room saying "this is a joke". Additionally, he refused to get up on stage to console Poole which normally happens when a judge loses their own act at the end of a result show. Barlow did return to the studio and consoled Poole on stage but not until a few seconds after The Xtra Factor started broadcasting. During Poole's final showdown performance, the public was also outraged when Holloway was seen approaching Walsh and whispering into his ear. This sparked rumours that Holloway told Walsh not to eliminate Clark, and that Walsh may have been unsure whether to vote based on his own feelings or follow Holloway's instructions.[183] On the episode of The Xtra Factor that followed, Barlow stated that he thought it was "disgusting" that a talented singer had been voted out over a "joke act" who had "little talent".[184][99] Several celebrities also vented their fury about the result on Twitter: Barlow's Take That bandmate Howard Donald said: "Joke decision on xfactor tonight kids. Based on the singing the wrong person was dropped from a great height. That's xfactor for you!", whilst Coleen Nolan stated: "I'm horrified!! What a joke and a total fix!!"[183] Ofcom and ITV received more than 2,500 complaints over the events, and Ofcom said they may launch an inquiry. Holloway said in a statement: "We regularly chat to the judges during the show, they don't wear earpieces like Dermot so we have to speak to them on anything from timings to running order changes. On Sunday I was telling Louis the order the judges would vote in. We don't tell judges how to vote."[183]

On 6 November, it emerged that Maloney had been voting for himself throughout the live shows, something which he openly admitted.[185] Maloney stated: "I have voted for myself a few times. So has everyone else—I doubt my calls have made much of a difference... If I had more credit on my phone I'd vote more." A member of production crew stated he had seen Maloney "dialling and redialling his own number over and over again."[185] A member of production said, "You can't outlaw this sort of behaviour but it leaves a very sour taste. It's against the spirit of the show."[185] During the VT before Maloney's performance in the live show following the reports, Maloney denied that he had been voting for himself.[186]

The seventh results show on 18 November attracted controversy when Henderson and Arthur received fewer public votes than any other act, especially Clark and Maloney, because both Henderson and Arthur had been favourites to reach the final.[187][188] The judges scalded the decision made by the public when it came to deciding that night's elimination, in which Henderson was eliminated after the result went to deadlock.[102][189][190][191] Simon Cowell, the creator of the show, expressed his shock over the result on Twitter,[192] whilst bookmakers Ladbrokes announced that odds for both Maloney to win outright and for the show to be axed by ITV were slashed.[193]

Performances

Part of Clark's performance during the second live show was cut from repeats on ITV1+1 and recaps on ITV2, and the entire performance was removed from itv.com and YouTube for legal reasons, believed to be because he renamed the song "Gangnam Style" to "Rylan Style". An edited version of the performance was later put back on itv.com and YouTube.[194]

After his performance of LMFAO's "Sexy and I Know It" on the third live show on 20 October, Arthur was accused of plagiarism. His rendition was very similar to that of YouTube star only1Noah,[195] which was uploaded on 9 May 2012 and has since gathered over 19 million views.[196] However, Arthur later tweeted: "Btw doesn't everyone know I was putting a spin on Noah's version? It had 13.something million hits! Was I supposed to state the obvious?"[197][198]

Excessive promotion

In January 2013, Ofcom ruled that The X Factor had breached broadcasting rules by excessively promoting the hotel where the finalists stayed, saying it was mentioned in eight out of the 13 pre-recorded introduction videos for the finalists, including shots of them arriving featuring close-up shots of the hotel's sign. Ofcom found "the overall number of references to be excessive" and "therefore judged that there was insufficient editorial justification for the repeated references to the hotel during the programme." They concluded that "the cumulative effect of these references resulted in the programme as a whole giving undue prominence to the hotel."[199]

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