Britain - Recent British X-Factor Winners and Runners-Up

Put quite simply, 'The X Factor' is a television talent show, which seeks out singers ~ solo or in bands ~ who could, potentially, be pop stars.

It originated in the UK, but there is now an international 'X Factor' franchise. The 'X Factor is a joint production of FremantleMedia's TalkbackThames and Simon Cowell's production company SYCOtv. Simon Cowell is the executive producer ~ and one of the judges.

Between them, the voting public and the professional judges decide who goes and who stays, week on week.

Sometimes your favourites get through to the end, and sometimes they fall by the wayside ~ but, if they are good, some of those who are 'ejected' still manage to succeed!

The X Factor will be arriving in the USA during 2011.

You can go to YouTube to get an ideas of whether these singers appeal to you, but do remember that the sound quality may not be very good.

The samples available at 'Amazon' may often be relatively short, but they will generally be of a higher quality.

* * *

CDs, DVDs, downloads, books, etc, available online ~ plus reviews.

2004

Steve Brookstein
G4
Tabby Callaghan

2005
Shayne Ward
Andy Abraham
Journey South

2006
Leona Lewis
Ray Quinn
Ben Mills

2007
Leon Jackson
Rhydian Roberts

Same Difference

G4 and the 'X-Factor'

Steve Brookstein was the winner. He has a pleasant voice, though his career never really seemed to take off. However, he has pressed on with his ambitions and has released some songs that are very easy on the ear ~ including 'Fighting Butterflies'. Another lovely song of his is 'Smile'.

*

G4 came second and, in my opinion, they were the real star act of that series ~ the group with the 'X-Factor' was definitely 'G4' (short for 'Guildhall Four').

G4 was a group of four young men, who sang 'popular opera'. Their voices were beautiful and they harmonised perfectly. They came second in the competition.

The group has now split and gone their separate ways, but my favourite ~ the lead singer, who, in my opinion, has the most special voice of the four ~ is still singing professionally. He is Jonathan Ansell and his first solo album, 'Tenor at the Movies', reached No 1 in the classical charts.

*

Tabby: I remember that Tabby, who came third, really looked as if he was meant to be a rock star, and I read that there may be an album in the offing.

Shayne Ward, winner of X Factor 2005, released his first single, "That's My Goal", on December 21, 2005 and it became the Christmas number one ~ it was the 3rd fastest selling single of all time.

*

Andy Abraham came second and in March 2006, his first album went straight to number two in the charts ~ the number one slot was taken by 'Journey South'. Andy sang the United Kingdom entry for 2008's Eurovision Song Contest. His Christmas song is a duet: "December Brings Me Back To You".

*

Journey South ~ brothers Andy and Carl Pemberton ~ came third. Their debut album went straight to Number One in the UK charts in March 2006.

Leona Lewis, winner in 2006, really did prove to have the 'X Factor' ~ world-wide!

She is 'a multi-platinum selling artist and three time Grammy Award nominee'.

"Bleeding Love", her most successful single, reached the top chart slot in more than 30 countries and she was the 'first British solo artist to top the Billboard 200 with a debut album'.[Quotes: Wikipedia]

*

Ray Quinn came second to Leona. His debut 'Swing' album: 'Ray Quinn: Doing It My Way', released in March 2007, went straight in at number one in the UK album charts and immediately 'went Gold'.

In 2009, Ray Quinn won 'Dancing On Ice' ~ in the fourth series of the British TV celebrity ice dancing contest of that name.

*

Ben Mills, who came third, released his album, 'Picture of You', on the same day as Quinn released his ~ and it went into the charts at number 3.

Scottish singer-songwriter, Leon Jackson, released the single "When You Believe", in December 2007, after winning that year's 'X Factor'.

It reached 'Number 1' in both Ireland and the UK.

*

Welsh baritone Rhydian Roberts has achieved considerable success since coming 2nd in the X Factor.

He has released bestselling albums, toured the country, appeared in shows, etc, etc.

The director of Theatre Studies at Birmingham Conservatoire, Michael Barry, stated that Rhydian had been 'a star pupil at the Conservatoire ..'

You can see Rhydian singing 'The Impossible Dream', here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5cSQdzW3SI

*

'Same Difference' came third.

This is a fun brother and sister act ~ Sean and Sarah Smith ~ whose music has been referred to as 'bubblegum'.

Alexandra Burke's voice, when she belted out 'Hallelujah'; in the final, was simply breath-taking! She deserved to win ~ and she deserves her continued success as a pop star.

*

But JLS ('Jack the Lad Swing', apparently) have also done very well, and are a really popular band, with a number of hits under their belts. The boys in this 'boy band' are: Aston Merrygold, Marvin Humes, Jonathan "JB" Gill, and Oritsé Williams.

*

Eoghan Quigg's first album went to number one in the Irish albums chart.

*

Diana Vickers came fourth.

Following this, she was given the title role in 'The Rise and Fall of Little Voice' in the West End. For this, she won the "London Newcomer of the Year" award.

Her debut single ~ Once ~ and her debut album both charted at number one in the UK. In addition, her album went to number 7 in Ireland and number 4 in the European Top 100.

The three finalists, in the 2009 competition, were all brilliant, in my opinion ~ and all seemed to have lovely personalities; Joe McElderry, Olly Murs and Stacey Solomon.

*

Joe's lovely voice will be brilliant in musical shows. His version of Miley Cyrus's 'The Climb' is powerful and beautiful.

Joe McElderry's debut single "The Climb" reached number one in both the UK and Irish charts ~ and two charity singles he was involved with also reached number 1: "Everybody Hurts" (Helping Haiti) and "You Are Not Alone" (X Factor 2009 Finalists).

*

Olly Murs is probably more 'pop star' material. He is already enjoying chart success.

Olly's first single ~ "Please Don't Let Me Go" ~ went to number one on the UK Singles Chart and his second ~ "Thinking of Me" ~ went in at number 4. His album ~ 'Olly Murs' ~ went into the charts at number 2.

*

Stacey Solomon's voice is simply amazing. In 2010, The 'Royal Air Force Squadronaires' produced a 'Glenn Miller Celebration' album, entitled: 'In the Mood'.

Stacey Solomon recorded the song "At Last", with the Squadronaires, for this album.

She has recently won 'I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!'

*

John and Edward, aka 'Jedward', came 4th.

There is some debate as to how well they sing, but they definitely have a talent that is all their own ~ and, following the show, they remain popular and successful.

Matt Cardle, with his beautiful and unusual voice, won the 2010 'X Factor' contest ~ but there was very strong competition from Rebecca Ferguson. Matt reached the much-sought-after UK Christmas number one slot ~ and I was one of those who bought his CD!

*

Rebecca Ferguson, who came second, also has an unusual and beautiful voice. She deserves to do extremely well and it was a close-call as to who would win, out of her and Matt.

*

'One Direction' is a boy band who already have an amazing number of screaming fans ~ so they should do well, too! They came third.

*

Cher Lloyd came 4th, and, from what I have heard, it seems that there is a good chance that she may also have a singing / rapping career ahead of her.

The X-Factor Finalists' cover of David Bowie's 'Heroes', in aid of 'Help For Heroes' (aiding wounded servicemen and women) went into the charts at number 1 on 28th November, 2010.

*

The 2009 finalists sang a cover of Michael Jackson's 'You Are Not Alone', in aid of Great Ormond Street children's hospital, London.

*

The X factor Finalists of 2008 recorded a cover of 'Hero', originally by Mariah Carey. This was also in support of 'Help For Heroes'.

In 2004, my favourite act was G4. They seemed to appeal to all generations. My younger son loved them ~ as did my mother. We bought their albums with enthusiasm!

I rather liked Andy Abrahams in 2005, but Shayne Ward is pretty good! His voice has really grown on me!

In 2006, I liked Ray Quinn. He had a way of putting over his songs ~ and a great personality, I thought.

In 2007, I would say that Rhydian was the one with most going for him. He has a very good voice and is doing well.

In 2008 I liked both Alexandra Burke and JLS ~ who were in the top three ~ but I also thought that Diana Vickers, who came 4th, was really talented. I was pleased to know that her career was doing well. Alexandra singing 'Hallelujah' was amazing! You can see it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsuXbkrA_AQ

In 2009, I really liked all three top placed acts: Joe McElderry, Olly Murs and Stacey Solomon. All seemed to have good personalities, too.

I thought that Joe's version of 'The Climb' was brilliant ~ probably better than that of the writer, Miley Cyrus, in my opinion. see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rwE8MH9kP0&feature=channel

I have enjoyed both of Olly Murs singles. They are fun and chirpy ~ like him!

Stacey's version of 'Wonderful World' was one of the best I had ever heard ~ and her 'At Last' is great!

I also liked Rachel Adedeji, who came 9th in 2009 and whose single will be released soon. I also rather liked Lucie Jones, who also went out relatively early in the series.

In 2010, it seemed clear to me that Matt Cardle and Rebecca Ferguson should be in the top two ~ but which one first and which one second???

One Direction also seemed set to do well, because of all their teenage fans ~ and because they are quite good.

I bought Matt's debut CD. I didn't choose to buy the download because, as well as 'When We Collide', which I like, I also wanted a copy of hus 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face', which I loved as soon as I first heard it!

I shall wait to see how Rebecca's career fares and will watch out for her debut single. I think that she has the talent to be a world-wide star. She can be found on You Tube.

My overall favourites:

G4, Alexandra Burke, Joe McElderry, Olly Murs, Stacey Solomon, Matt Cardle, Rebecca Ferguson, Diana Vickers, Ray Quinn.

The 'X-Factor' is not 'Britain's Got Talent'

But there are enough similarities for people to get these shows mixed up!

Both are, in fact, talent shoes, seeking new acts to make into stars.

But 'Britain's Got Talent' is for all sorts of talents ~ not just singing.

However, there are, of course, some singers who apply ~ and some do very well. One of the most famous is Susan Boyle.

Other successful and talented singers on the show included Paul Potts, plus the very young and talented Faryl Smith and boy soprano, Andrew Johnston.

Also Charlie Green and Connie Talbot ~ child prodigies!

'Escala' don't sing, but they are a very musically talented electronic string quartet.

But I can understanding anyone thinking that it is. The shows are very similar!

There were two British TV series of 'Pop Idol'.

'Pop Idol' was first screened in 2001. The winner of that series was Will Young, with Gareth Gates as runner-up and Darius Danesh third. All three had UK number ones after the series and Will Young continues to record successfully. Darius has been working in various shows. Gareth Gates was a huge hit with young female fans ~ my daughter andf I went to a great gig ~ but then he decided to take a break from show-business.

Series two was aired in 2003. The winner was Michelle McManus.

In 2004, 'Pop Idol' was replaced by 'X-Factor'.

*

The programme 'Pop Idol' has resulted in a number of 'Idol' spin-offs ~ including 'American Idol' ~ but these series must not be referred to as 'pop idol'.

According to Wikipedia: 'As part of an out-of-court settlement between the Pop Idol producers and the creators of Popstars, international sales contracts of the format contain a clause preventing the local broadcaster from using the word pop in the local title. The Idol television series was created by Simon Fuller and is managed by 19 Entertainment, a CKX, Inc. company.'

I have obtained many of the photographs of these performers from Wikipedia / Wikimedia and have used only those where permissiion is given to do so. A sincere ''thank you' to Wikipedia / Wikimedia and to the photographers involved!

Alternate sourdes were CD or album covers ~ which, I believe, may be used without copyright concern.

Wikipedia / Wikimedia Information:

Jonathan Ansell ~ formerly of G4: This is a file from the Wikimedia Commons.
G4 Last Concert 2007 Image: Peter French, Flying Tigers Studio www.flyingtigers.co.uk
Date: 2007-08-19. Source: Originally from en.wikipedia. Author: Pfrenchm at en.wikipedia
Released into the public domain by its author, Pfrenchm at the wikipedia project. This applies worldwide. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:JA_2_2007.jpg

Shayne Ward: From Wikimedia Commons. Author: Sry85, September 2006.~ I, Sry85, the copyright holder of this work, hereby publishes it under .... under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Shayne_ward.jpg

Andy Abrahams: From Wikimedia Commons. http://flickr.com/photos/proteusbcn/2521754448/sizes/o/ cropped ~ Author: Daniel Aragay from Terrassa, Catalunya, 25 May 2008 ~ This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Andy_Abraham_-_ESC_2008.jpg

Leona Lewis: From: Wikimedia Commons. Date:2010-04-29 ~ Author: Keith HInkle ~ derivative work: AnemoneProjectors (talk) - This is a retouched picture, it has been digitally altered from its original version. ~ I, the copyright holder of this work, hereby publish it ... under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license. See: Leona_Lewis_2009_American_Music_Awards.jpg And: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Leona_Lewis_2009_American_Music_Awards_cropped.jpg

Leon Jackson: From: Wikimedia Commons. 2008-01-07 (original upload date) DavidDjJohnson at en.wikipedia This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Leon_Jackson_at_the_premiere_of_The_Golden_Compass.jpg

Rhydian Roberts: DavidDjJohnson, April 2008. I, the copyright holder of this work, hereby publish it under the following license: CC some rights reserved.svg ... under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License. See:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rhydian_Roberts

JLS: This is a file from the Wikimedia Commons. Author:Photobra Adam Bielawski, 20 April 2010 ~ I, the copyright holder of this work, hereby publish it under ... the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:JLS_KISS-FM_Chicago_2010-04-20_Photo-by-Adam-Bielawski.jpg

Diana Vickers: From Wikimedia Commons. Author: Mywickedheart, 22/09/2010 ~ I, the copyright holder of this work, hereby publish it under the ... Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dianavickers1.png

Joe McElderry: From: Wikimedia Commons. Author: JonathanLGardner, 20 March 2010. derivative work: Hekerui - This is a retouched picture, it has been digitally altered. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license. See:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Joe_McElderry_%28Live_X_Factor_Tour%29.jpg

Olly Murs: From Wikimedia Commons. Author: Jonathan L Gardner, 20 March 2010 ~ I, the copyright holder of this work, hereby publish it under the ... Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Olly_Murs_%28Live_X_Factor_Tour%29_1.png

Stacey Solomon: From Wikimedia Commons. Author: JonathanLGardner, 20 March 2010 ~ I, the copyright holder of this work, hereby publish it under the ... Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Stacey_Solomon_%28Live_X_Factor_2010%29_3.png

John and Edward: From: Wikimedia Commons. Author: JonathanLGardner, 20 March 2010 ~ I, the copyright holder of this work, hereby publish it under ... the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:John_%26_Edward_%28Live_X_Factor_2010%29_3.png

Matt Cardle: Wikipedia ~ Author: James Whatley from London, 2010-12-16
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License. see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Matt_Cardle_1.jpg

*

Will Young: This is a file from the Wikimedia Commons.
This image was cropped from original. Images taken by Neal Whitehouse Piper ~ Official Site www.willyoung.co.uk / www.williamyoung.biz
Author: neal whitehouse piper from UK,
28 June 2008. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Will_Young_-_Glastonbury_2008.jpg

Darius Danesh: This is a file from the Wikimedia Commons.
Author: Transferred, 5 December 2007
I, the copyright holder of this work, hereby publish it under the ... Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dariusdanesh_051207.jpg

Michelle McManus: This is a file from the Wikimedia Commons.
Author: Michael Gallacher, 9 March 2010. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.
See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MichelleMcManus2010.jpg

Paul Potts: This is a file from the Wikimedia Commons.
Author: PPMSF, 2008-01-27 [I have cropped this image ~ Trish_M]
This work has been released into the public domain by its author, PPMSF. This applies worldwide. Full details here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PP_Rhyl_UK_Pavilion_Theatre.jpg

Andrew Johnston: This is a file from the Wikimedia Commons.
Author: Nik from Darlington, United Kingdom, 2008 ~ derivative work: Hekerui
This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Andrew_Johnston_crop_2.jpg