X Factor 2014 was welcomed back with open arms last night as viewers sat down to watch the eleventh series of one of the UK's most popular singing competitions.
It's been four years since we saw Cheryl Fernandez-Versini on our screens and last night she was reunited with former judges Louise Walsh, Simon Cowell and new judge, Spice Girl Mel B for an evening of tears and tantrums from the contestants.
The highly anticipated new series kicked off with the return of the room auditions. First in was sister group, Blonde Electric, who walked into the room shrieking at the sight of the four music moguls, opting to sing Do it Like A Dude, by Jessie J. "Imagine the biggest blackboard in the world, and you've got eight people dragging their nails down it. Times ten. That's how irritating you were," commented a shocked Simon.
However the panel surprised viewers when Simon, Mel B and Louis gave the group three yeses while Cheryl remained unimpressed with the duo's performance. Auditions continued throughout the day with several hopefuls entering the room with guitars, resulting in an angry Simon smashing the instrument on the floor into pieces. When 15-year-old Reece Bibby walked into the audition room holding a guitar, the judges expected to hear yet another Ed Sheeran immitation.
However, the Accrington student’s acoustic rendition of Disclosure’s Latch wowed the judges. "The word for you is potential," praised Louis as the judges agreed that Reece’s passion and powerful voice should see him through to the live audition stage. Students Chloe O'Gorman and Lauren Platt also stunned the panel with their natural soulful performances and were given four yes votes. The next day, the judges saw 25-year-old Amy Connelly walk into the room, who had been previously sent away from the Judges' Houses stage in 2008 by the Girls Aloud star.
"That was really beautiful, it was captivating," Cheryl praised the singer, following her rendition of With You from the musical Ghost. "Honestly, this is like a flashback for me, it's something that you do to me, we just have a connection," continued Cheryl as she wiped away her tears. "You stood there with confidence and poise, you delivered a song beautifully and I'm just so happy to see you," she continued.
At the end of the performance, Amy and her former mentor hugged while the other judges praised her heartfelt performance. Other talents included Irish singer Ben Quinlan, who gave the newlywed a green rose before serenading her with previous X Factor winner Shayne Ward’s song, That's My Goal.
One of the most bizarre auditions of the day was 37-year-old pianist Shayden Willis which ended in Louis, Cheryl and Mel B running out of the room, leaving Simon to politely reject the singer. Model Chloe Jasmine surprised the judges with her Marilyn Monroe inspired look as she sang Black Coffee. The blues singer wowed the panel with her sultry voice and style and was deemed "one to remember" by Simon.
Former Royal Navy fitness instructor, Jay James Picton, was the final contestant of the evening who stunned the judges into silence with his solumn version of Christina Aguilera's Say Something.
"It got better and better," said Simon as Mel B broke down into tears following his powerful performance. "I think this is just the beginning," continued Simon and he shook hands with the hopeful contestant.
Tune in tomorrow for Sunday’s episode of the room auditions at 8pm on ITV.