© Photo: RexSteve Brookstein – 2004
Steve may have won the first series of the show, but less than 12 months later he was dropped by Simon Cowell's record label. He's since been involved in a long-running feud with Simon and the show, and last year released a book about his experience.
© Photo: ITVShayne Ward – 2005
Mancunian Shayne stole the hearts of the nation in 2005, and went on to have three top 20 albums before parting ways with Syco. Despite this he is still releasing music and currently starring as Aidan Connor in Coronation Street.
© Photo: Getty ImagesLeona Lewis - 2006
The first woman to take The X Factor crown was Leona, who impressed the judges and the public with her powerful vocals. Her debut track Bleeding Love propelled her to international fame, becoming the first single from a British female to enter the Billboard Hot 100 chart at number one in 30 years. Earlier this year it was confirmed Leona will star as Grizabella in Cats on Broadway.
© Photo: InstagramLeon Jackson – 2007
Cheeky Scott Leon was mentored to victory by Dannii Minogue, but was sadly dropped shortly after the release of his debut album in 2008. He is said to be currently working on new music and is still gigging regularly. Last year he hit the headlines for showing off a surprisingly new buff look.
© Photo: InstagramAlexandra Burke - 2008
Everyone remembers Alexandra's stunning duet with Beyoncé, with many believing it was their rendition of Listen that secured her victory. She enjoyed relative success with her music before parting ways with Simon's record company in 2012. Since then Alex has starred as Rachel Marron in The Bodyguard Musical and is currently portraying Deloris Van Cartier in a UK tour production of Sister Act the Musical.
© Photo: RexJoe McElderry – 2009
Joe gave Cheryl her second consecutive victory as a mentor, but a year after the release of his debut album he was dropped by his record label. Since then he was won a further two reality shows, Popstar to Opera Star and The Jump, and had two top 10 albums. Last year he landed the starring role in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat.
© Photo: RexMatt Cardle – 2010
Following his X Factor victory Matt only released one album with Simon's label, but that hasn't stopped him performing. Last year he played the lead male role in Memphis the Musical and he recently revealed plans for a 2016 tour in support of his upcoming fourth studio album.
© Photo: Getty ImagesLittle Mix - 2011
The first (and currently) only group to win The X Factor, Little Mix are still going strong and have broken records set in America by the Spice Girls! Their third studio album Get Weird has currently sold more than 500,000 copies in the UK alone and the subsequent tour became the highest selling UK concert for 2016.
© Photo: RexJames Arthur – 2012
Despite his success on the show, James angered many fans just weeks after the release of his debut album when he used a homophobic slur to describe a rival musician. This led to his departure from Syco. He's since signed a new deal with Columbia and is scheduled to release his second album in late 2016.
© Photo: Getty ImagesSam Bailey – 2013
Former prison officer and mum-of-three Sam shocked the whole country with her flawless first audition, and was later crowned the winner in December 2013. After both her debut album and single got to number one, she was dropped by Simon Cowell. However in 2016 Sam revealed she was working on album number two and shot the video for her upcoming single in May.
© Photo: RexBen Haenow - 2014
White van man Ben rocked his way to the final and received the most public votes from weeks four to ten. His self-titled debut managed to chart at number 10, but less than three months later, in January 2016, it was announced he and Syco had "mutually" parted ways.
© Photo: Getty ImagesLouisa Johnson – 2015
Louisa is the youngest ever winner of The X Factor, having been 17 at the time of her victory. She's currently working on her debut album and in May 2016 she teamed up with Clean Bandit for single Tears.
