The X Factor (British TV series) series 6

The sixth UK series of The X Factor is due to begin airing on ITV in August 2009 and run until December 2009.

Judges and presenters

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Judges (from left to right) Walsh, Minogue, Cole and Cowell.

The judges, Simon Cowell, Dannii Minogue, Louis Walsh and Cheryl Cole will all return for this series, despite speculation that Minogue would be sacked admist rumours over constant rivalry with Cole. Cole insisted there were no arguments between them and even threatened to quit if Minogue was axed. However in June 2009, Minogue was confirmed to return after she was persuaded by show producers that the show wanted her.

Dermot O'Leary returns to present the main ITV1 show with Holly Willoughby hosting spin-off show The Xtra Factor on ITV2, returning to work just over a month after becoming a mother for the first time.

Auditions

Auditions for producers were held in April 2009 with those successful being invited to the auditions proper in front of the judges which will be held across June and July.

Five cities are to host the auditions: London at the Excel Centre, Manchester at the Manchester Central, Exchange Hall, Birmingham at the ICC, Hall 1, Cardiff at the International Arena and Glasgow at the Braehead Arena.

In a change to the previous format, auditions will be held in front of a live audience. The auditions had intially began in their usual format on 8 June 2009 in Glasgow but began in front of an audience on 22 June in London, meaning the auditions in Glasgow will need to be rejudged. In an interview with GMTV, Cowell stated the decision had been made "at the very last minute". Despite the change, acts will still need approval from three of the four judges to advance through.

Bootcamp

This is to be held in early August 2009 and likely to be held at The O2 arena again. 24 acts will succesfully advance past this round.

Judges' houses

To be filmed in late August/early September. 24 acts (6 from each of the 4 categories) visit their chosen judge at their "house". 12 acts (3 from each category) will advance to the live shows.

Live shows

These are to begin in October and run on until December. The public will ultimately decide who wins in the grand final and that act will win a £1 million recording contract and will be given a chance to have to debut single released as the Christmas Number One.

Also for series 6, it has been confirmed, the results show will move to Sunday nights in an effort to go head to head with rival show Strictly Come Dancing on BBC One. This is also being done so that ITV can earn more advertising revenue. It was confirmed by The Sun newspaper, that Madonna, Lady GaGa, Christina Aguilera, Rihanna and Robbie Williams are in talks to perform on the live shows. It is also rumoured that Cheryl Cole will perform her debut single, to be taken from her solo album to be released in October. It is expected that, following previous series', series 5 winner Alexandra Burke will also perform her new single on the first live show.

External links

• The X Factor at itv.com