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2012-08-15T12:14:00.000-07:00

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2012-08-15T12:10:00.000-07:00

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2012-08-15T11:59:00.001-07:00

X-Stream Radio Profile on The X Factor

2012-08-14T12:26:00.003-07:00

The ninth series of The X Factor starts soon, but ahead of that, I am going to provide a brief history of the series starting right at the beginning. This feature will focus on 2004 to 2006.

The X Factor ' Series One (2004)

The first ever series was judged by the dream team that was, Sharon Osbourne, Louis Walsh and Simon Cowell. Some of the stand out names from this year were, Rowetta and rocker Tabby Callaghan.

The final battle was between Steve Brookstien and G4. Steve went on to win the public vote, much to the annoyance of Sharon Osbourne.

Brookstein went on to enjoy his fame with the Winners single 'Against all odds,' and followed that with a number one album. There was a glimmer of glittering stardom but, in August 2005, he was dropped by Simon.

To give him credit, one fact that many people don't know, is that until 2009 he held the record for the most votes in the Final, six million in total.

Runners up G4 went on to have two platinum albums before calling it a day in 2007. Jonathan Ansell unsuccessfully auditioned for the lead role in the Andrew Lloyd Webber production of Jesus Christ Superstar in 2012.

The X Factor ' Series Two (2005)

Series one of the X Factor only attracted 6.9 million viewers. The show however gathered memento, and after a few changes to the format of the show, and new hairdo for Sharon, the live shows now boasted twelve talented acts instead of the nine from series one.

This was the year we met the legend that is Chico, the goat herder from Morocco, a likeable, fun guy who was a hit with ladies, but a certain Mr Cowell was not impressed.well, initially.

I have been firm friends with Chico for a while now and I can honestly say he is one of the nicest people in the business. He does a lot of work for charity, including the setting up of his own, the Rainbow Child Foundation.

Chico went on to finish in fifth place and his single It's Chico Time went to number one knocking Madonna off of the top spot. In early 2012, Chico finished third on Dancing On Ice.

More memorable acts from that year were Brenda Edwards, who has appeared in the West End on numerous occasions since her eventual fourth place. Maria Lawson went on to appear in Thriller in the West End.

Third place group, Journey South went on to have a number one album. In 2012 the lads are writing and looking to release some material in the USA this year or next. They are still performing all over the world at various corporate shows and on luxury cruise liners.

Runner up Andy Abraham went on to have two, top twenty albums and is still touring around the UK to this day.

The Winner of X Factor 2005 was Shayne Ward, a young, good looking guy with a killer voice.

To date, he has had six top twenty singles, including a number one with That's My Goal, and three top twenty albums, again including a number one with his debut. In April 2011 however, after 6 years with Simon Cowell's label Syco, his contract was not renewed. Shayne can currently be seen in Rock of ages in the West End.

A fact from this series, a certain Alexandra Burke got to the judges houses stage before being eliminated.this wasn't the last we saw of Ms Burke though.

The X Factor ' Series Three (2006)

2006 was the year my 'Midas' work really started to get some attention. It was also the first time I made a prediction on The X Factor.

This series was the first to have a fair bit of controversy, boy band Avenue were put through to the live shows, then disqualified for allegedly having an existing management contract, prohibited on the X Factor at that time.

During boot camp, eventual runner up Ray Quinn got the boot, but was then recalled by Simon Cowell, who said he had made a mistake not putting him through. Quinn went on to finish in second place and has had a very successful career in the business.

His debut album went to number one, and he has performed in the West End on numerous occasions. In 2009 he also showed us another talent and won Dancing on ice with a perfect 60/60.

Big successes from this year included Ben Mills and the MacDonald Brothers (let me finish).

Ben's debut album reached number three in the UK charts and he is still touring and doing well till this day. The MacDonald Brothers benefited from Avenue's disqualification and went on to finish fourth. The Brothers have since released four studio albums.

The winner and one of the biggest success stories of the X Factor series is Leona Lewis. Leona became my first ever X Factor Midas act (A Midas Act is the person/band that I support during the show). The moment she started singing at her first audition, I looked at my wife and said 'There's the Winner'

Leona did go on to win the show and has been a phenomenon ever since. Two UK number one albums, four (including the Helping Haiti track) UK number one singles as well as two number one's in America have followed.

The big fact from this series was that twelve million of us tuned in to watch the live final, the beginning of the show's bumper ratings.

Next up 2007 to 2009...

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