It's that time of year again- the X Factor is returning to TV screens.
The X Factor judges: Louis Walsh, Mel B, Cheryl Cole and Simon Cowell
The show's judges will reunite at the beginning of August for the second round of auditions, which will take place at Wembley Arena. Viewers can look forward to seeing the return of the original in-room auditions which were brought back in time for the Manchester auditions in June, as well as a few other surprises which are sure to add drama. Rumours suggest that a fifth celebrity will be chosen to mentor a wildcard category in this year's live shows, meaning the end of judging deadlocks. Sources hint that each judge will also have four acts in the finals, rather than previous years of three.
© Photo: TwitterWhere the judges hang out backstage between auditions
This new season also sees the elimination of last year's Flash Vote system which opened up voting lines to the public who could call to save their favourite act from the bottom two. Instead, there is talk of a new Twitter voting system for the live shows. This will allow viewers to cast their vote by tweeting their favourite contestants.
Elsewhere, the exotic locations for this year’s X Factor judges' houses locations have been revealed. Newly married Cheryl Cole will be jetting her acts off to the South of France, where her new beau Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini originates from, whereas new judge Mel B will be flying her contestants off to Cancun, Mexico to battle it out for a place in the finals.Louis Walsh and Simon Cowell's locations have yet to be confirmed but rumours suggest Bermuda might be on the cards.
© Photo: RexSarah Jane Crawford is the new host of The Xtra Factor
Taking over from Caroline Flack, Sarah Jane Crawford has been confirmed as the new host of ITV2's The Xtra Factor. Sarah has been hosting a radio show on Radio 1's 1Xtra and voicing The Official UK Urban Chart rundown. "I’ve been a huge fan of The X Factor since day one and have watched every series religiously, so to be the new host of The Xtra Factor in its most exciting year EVER, is what dreams are made of," she admitted.
