List of The X Factor (British TV series) finalists explained

The X Factor is a British television music competition that first aired in 2004. As of December 2017, there have been fourteen completed series. The final round of the competition features a number of solo singers or vocal groups: nine in series 1, twelve in series 2-6 and 10, 16 in series 7, 8, 11 14, and 15, and 13 in series 9, 12 and 13. A total of 184 acts have reached the finals of their series.

During the first three series, the contestants were split into three groups: "16-24s", "25-and-overs" (renamed "over 25s" in series 2, though still often referred to as "25-and-overs" in series 2 and 3) and "groups". Each set of contestants was mentored by one of the show's judges, Simon Cowell (head judge), Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh. From series 4 onwards, the 16-24s were subdivided into boys and girls categories as a fourth judge, Dannii Minogue, joined the show, making four categories in total (Boys, Girls, Over 25s, Groups). Following Osbourne's exit from the show after series 4, Cheryl replaced her. In series 7, the over 25s were changed to over 28s, before being changed back to over 25s for series 8. Also in series 8, Cowell, Minogue and Cheryl all left the show, leaving Walsh as the only judge to return from the previous year. He was joined on the panel by Gary Barlow (head judge), Kelly Rowland and Tulisa. For series 9, Rowland left the show and Nicole Scherzinger joined the panel as her replacement. The over 25s were changed to over 28s again in series 9, and then back to over 25s in series 10. Osbourne also returned to the panel in series 10, replacing Tulisa. The over 25s were changed to over 26s in series 11. Cowell and Cheryl returned for series 11, replacing Barlow and Osbourne. Mel B joined the panel in series 11, replacing Scherzinger. Rita Ora and Nick Grimshaw joined the panel in series 12, replacing Mel B and Walsh. The over 26s were changed to over 27s in series 12, and then back to over 25s in series 13. Walsh, Scherzinger and Osbourne returned to the panel in series 13, replacing Grimshaw, Ora and Cheryl. The over 25s were changed to over 28s in series 14, and then to over 29s in series 15. Only Cowell returned to the panel for series 15, where was he was joined by Robbie Williams, Ayda Field and Louis Tomlinson, who replaced Walsh, Osbourne and Scherzinger, respectively.

As of series 14, all five categories have won the show on at least one occasion, while seven of the show's nine judges have had the winning act in their category at least once, with Cowell winning four times, Cheryl, Minogue and Scherzinger winning twice, and Walsh, Tulisa, Osbourne, Ora and Tomlinson winning once. The only judges not to win were Rowland, Barlow, Mel B, Grimshaw, Field and Williams, with Field and Williams' best performance having their contestant been the twelfth eliminated and their contestant been the fourteenth eliminated respectively in 2018 (their only series), Rowland, Mel B and Grimshaw's best performance having their contestant been the last eliminated in 2011, 2014 and 2015 respectively (their only series) and Barlow placing runner-up in 2011 (the first of his three years on the panel). Osbourne failed to win the show in her initial stint, but won on her return in series 10.

Contestants

- Winner

- Runner-Up

Name	Series	Category	Mentor
	8	Groups
	1	Groups
	3	Groups
	12	Groups
	2	Groups
5 After Midnight		13	Groups
	13	Over 25s
	2	Over 25s
	15	Groups
	2	Groups
	6	Girls
	7	Over 28s
	11	Boys
	15	Girls
	12	Groups
	3	Over 25s
	10	Girls
	3	16-24s
	6	Over 25s
	9	Boys
	8	Girls
	5	Groups
	10	Over 25s
	10	Girls
	7	Groups
	4	Girls
	14	Boys
	11	Groups
	14	Girls
	13	Groups
	8	Over 25s
	13	Groups
	1	Over 25s
	8	Over 25s
	5	Boys
	12	Over 27s
	5	Girls
	7	Over 28s
	13	Over 25s
	1	16-24s
	10	Boys
	7	Boys
	12	Boys
d1e5f8		9	Boys
	8	Boys
	7	Girls
	8	Boys
	8	Boys
	1	16-24s
	2	Groups
	14	Groups
	6	Boys
	14	Girls
	4	Over 25s
	14	Over 28s
	8	Girls
	9	Groups
	7	Groups
	2	16-24s
	9	Boys
	5	Boys
	11	Over 26s
	2	Over 25s
	9	Girls
	3	Groups
	5	Over 25s
	4	Over 25s
	11	Boys
	7	Girls
	7	Boys
	10	Girls
Four of Diamonds		13	Groups
	10	Boys
	4	Groups
	7	Groups
	13	Over 25s
	1	Groups
	5	Groups
	7	Boys
	8	Girls
	11	Over 26s
	15	Boys
	9	Girls
	4	Groups
	1	16-24s
	5	Over 25s
	14	Groups
	4	Boys
	11	Over 26s
	11	Girls
	14	Over 28s
	5	Groups
	6	Groups
	6	Over 25s
	12	Girls
	6	Girls
	2	Groups
	6	Groups
	1	Over 25s
	8	Over 25s
	10	Groups
	13	Girls
	13	Boys
	2	Over 25s
	15	Girls
	7	Over 28s
	3	16-24s
	8	Girls
	14	Over 28s
Little Mix (née Rhythmix)	8	Groups
	7	Girls
	15	Groups
	6	Boys
	5	Over 25s
	13	Girls
	3	Groups
	14	Boys
	2	16-24s
	14	Boys
	9	Over 28s
	15	Boys
	9	Over 28s
	10	Boys
	6	Boys
	3	Over 25s
	3	16-24s
	8	Boys
	12	Girls
	13	Girls
	3	Over 25s
	10	Groups
	6	Groups
	15	Groups
	3	Over 25s
	9	Groups
	12	Boys
	15	Boys
	12	Girls
	6	Over 25s
	4	Girls
	11	Girls
	12	Boys
	8	Groups
	7	Groups
	11	Groups
	11	Groups
	13	Boys
	15	Girls
	11	Girls
	9	Over 28s
	11	Boys
	5	Boys
	3	16-24s
	14	Groups
	12	Groups
	7	Boys
	8	Groups
	11	Over 26s
	4	Boys
	15	Over 29s
	8	Over 25s
	10	Groups
	15	Boys
	4	Groups
	1	Over 25s
	11	Girls
	15	Girls
	14	Groups
	10	Over 25s
	2	Over 25s
	10	Over 25s
	6	Girls
	9	Over 28s
	4	Girls
	15	Over 29s
	9	Girls
	12	Over 27s
	11	Groups
	12	Over 27s
	14	Boys
	14	Girls
	13	Boys
	15	Over 29s
	4	Over 25s
	3	Groups
	9	Groups
	15	Groups
	5	Girls
	1	Groups
	7	Over 28s
	7	Girls
	11	Boys
	2	16-24s
	12	Girls
	14	Over 28s
	5	Girls
	4	Boys
	14	Girls
	15	Over 29s
	2	16-24s

On four occasions, contestants have left the show under different circumstances than regular elimination. In series 4, Emily Nakanda withdrew from the show. In series 8, Frankie Cocozza was removed from the show after breaking a "golden rule" of the show. In the ninth series, Lucy Spraggan withdrew in week 5 of the live shows due to illness, after not performing in week 4, and not having had a full rehearsal session for week 5.^[1] Brooks Way withdrew from series 13 by mutual agreement after being absent from the first live show, due to events in the personal life of one of the band's members.^[2]
Little Mix were originally known on the show as "Rhythmix" until they changed their name following pressure from a children's charity with the same name.^[3]
In 2011, four contestants were eliminated from the show following the first live show by the judges, without facing a public vote, so should be listed as finishing joint 13th. However, following the removal of Cocozza 5 weeks later, the public were given the opportunity to vote for one of the four contestants to return.^[4] With 48% of votes cast, Amelia Lily was reinstated to the show. As a result, 2 Shoes, Jonjo Kerr, and James Michael are classed as joint 14th with Lily going on to finish in third place.

External links

Official website

Notes and References

Web site: Lucy Spraggan leaves 'The X Factor'. 3 November 2012. Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. 20 April 2014.
News: Brooks Way leave The X Factor by mutual consent. 10 October 2016. The X Factor. itv.com. 10 October 2016.
Web site: 'X Factor' Rhythmix to change name following charity pressure. Nissim. Mayer. 26 October 2011. Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. 11 November 2011.
Web site: Frankie exit lifeline for axed four. Yahoo!. 20 April 2011. 11 November 2011.