The X Factor Showbiz and Celebrity Breaking News

Since The X Factor officially left our screens for good, we’re having to get our show fix by looking back at some of the most memorable contestants from over the years, to see where they are and what they look like today. Fans of the show will probably recall 2016 contestant Saara Aalto, who blew judges away with the power of her voice.

The X Factor star Luke Friend looks almost unrecognisable eight years after the show.The singer was just 17 when he made his appearance on the ITV singing competition in 2013 and finished in third place. During The X Factor finale, Luke, now 25, did an impressive duet to Anything Could Happen with Ellie Goulding.The singer now looks almost unrecognisable since the ITV singing show after undergoing several hair transformations over the years.

Simon Cowell is reportedly stepping away from television to spend more time with his family. Over the weekend, it was announced that the music mogul, 62, had handed over the reins of his new show Walk The Line to former Take That star Gary Barlow while he takes on a more behind-the-scenes role as executive producer.

Rylan Clark-Neal has been banned from Tinder just weeks after signing up to the dating app following his split from husband Dan Neal.The X Factor star, 32, took to his Instagram stories to share the news with his fans, sharing a screenshot from the app which read: “Your account has been banned. Your Tinder profile has been banned for activity that violates our Terms of Use.” Joking with followers, Rylan wrote alongside the post: “Catfish” with a crying laughing emoji.

I fell into this job completely by accident. When I was at school, the careers adviser certainly never said, “Would you like to be a celebrity spray tanner?” I used to work in fashion and one day I met Nichola Joss, who is the most incredible A-list facialist.

X Factor star Cher Lloyd has been left heartbroken after her French Bulldog, Buddy, sadly passed away this week. Cher, 28, paid a touching tribute to her “best boy” on Instagram on Tuesday, confessing, “our hearts are broken.” Sharing a series of cute snaps of her beloved pooch, the singer wrote: “Yesterday we said goodbye to Buddy.

It feels like a lifetime ago that we used to wait eagerly to see Cheryl’s latest beauty looks on The X Factor. Despite not being treated to weekly updates on her styles, the singer has just returned to Instagram to chat to her fans – and she’s done it with a brand new hair colour.

Alexandra Burke and her footballer boyfriend Darren Randolph confirmed their romance earlier this year. The singer, 33, was first rumoured to be dating the footballer back in May, after reports suggested the pair had enjoyed a string of romantic dates.

After finding fame on The X Factor back in 2014 (who can forget that rendition of Uptown Funk?), Fleur East has enjoyed success in the charts, but also on our TV screens too. She wowed us earlier this year with her presenting skills on The Void alongside Ashley Banjo.

The X Factor US contestant Freddie Combs has sadly died at the age of 49 from kidney failure.The singer became a star from Simon Cowell’s US edition of the talent competition, where he wowed the judges with his dulcet tones on the huge stage. Freddie died at a hospital in Florida according to US publication TMZ.

told TMZ the singer died last Friday following a slate of health problems. His death was not COVID-19 related but due to kidney failure.

Jake Quickenden melted fans' hearts after revealing his romantic proposal to his other half, Sophie Church.The TV personality, who first found fame on The X Factor, announced his engagement during a relaxing family holiday to Greece, where he'd flown out with his fiancee, their son Leo, and Sophie's son Freddie. Jake, 32, and Sophie, 27, welcomed son Leo Oliver earlier this year in March, and is the first child they share.

Returning to social media as a brand ambassador for the supplement brand Feel, Cheryl fired shots at her crew by jokingly calling out the noise they were making.Taking part in a Q&A session, Cheryl was asked in a mystery box challenge what her pet peeves were. But just as the question comes up, a bang is heard in the background of the shoot, giving Cheryl the perfect opportunity to take a swipe at her team.

X Factor star Alexandra Burke has broken her silence on the decision to cancel the show that made her a star more than a decade ago.The 32-year-old appeared on Loose Women on Monday to discuss last week's announcement that Simon Cowell's hit show will not be returning to our screens. Alexandra shot to fame in 2008 after beating off boy band JLS for first place in the popular on screen competition.

ITV, confirmed the news and said “there are no current plans for the next series of ‘The X Factor’ at this stage.”The show was created by Cowell, 61, and first aired in 2004. Through the years, 445 episodes have aired.

After an incredible 17-year run, The X Factor has come to an end, with boss Simon Cowell calling it quits to focus on other projects.The iconic talent show, kicked off in 2004, running regularly until 2017 before going on a hiatus.

Simon Cowell has reportedly axed The X Factor after 17 years with sources close to the music mogul believing it is 'unlikely to return'.The 61 year old has chosen to drop the ITV talent show for at least five years, after it last aired in 2018, to concentrate on musical quiz show Walk The Line where he will star as a judge, according to The Sun. “Globally, it is still a phenomenon and rakes in millions every year.

Raheem Sterling has been one of the standout stars of the Euro 2020 tournament. While the footballer is engaged to Paige Milian, if things would have worked out differently there could have been a former X Factor sitting in the wings cheering him on.That's because Raheem reportedly had the hots for Tulisa Contostavlos around 2016, and asked a friend to set him up.

We never knew we needed to see Robbie Williams with pastel blue hair and a fringe, until today. His wife Ayda Field Williams has taken to Instagram this week to share a glamorous snap of herself and her friends on what looks like a boozy night out.

Doting dad Jake Quickenden has told fan that his baby son needs an operation – but faces a six week wait for the procedure.The X Factor star, 32, shared the update on Instagram, explaining that three-month old Leo, who he shares with girlfriend Sophie Church, needs a procedure to remove a hernia. He told his followers that the family of three had waited "a couple of weeks" for a hospital appointment after noticing a small lump near Leo's groin area.

told the Irish Independent on Sunday before imitating Spears allegedly slumping over at the judges’ table.“They would literally have to stop the show and take her out because she was on so much medication and other stuff,” he claimed. “I felt sorry for her.”The “Toxic” singer joined Fox’s “The X Factor” four years after her much-publicized breakdown.

Jesy Nelson has seemingly denied recent reports claiming she could be returning to The X Factor as a judge.The 29 year old shocked fans in December 2020 when she announced her departure from Little Mix after the impact it had on her mental health. However, she wasted no time in getting back on her feet by heading straight to the studio to record new music as a solo artist.

Martin Kemp and Lady Leshurr will reportedly join forces for a new talent-style competition series called School Of Ages. The new BBC show is set to fill in a considerable gap in the market after reports that Simon Cowell's The X Factor will not return until next year.

Simon Cowell is said to be in talks with another TV network to air a new talent show, according to reports.The 61-year-old has been an integral part of the ITV family for over 20 years, ever since it turned him into a household name with talent show Pop Idol. According to The Sun, the dad-of-one’s latest project could see him joining up with streaming giant Netflix, who insiders say he is keen to work with.

Getting hitched just two weeks after meeting may seem rash to some, but not to Ben and Jackie Foden. After being introduced to each other by a mutual friend in the summer of 2019, the smitten couple said their vows onboard a luxury yacht barely 14 days later – and are now celebrating their daughter Farrah’s first birthday.

Simon Cowell pulled out of his upcoming role as a judge on The X Factor Israel due to "his own reasons." The 6- year-old had signed a deal to star on the upcoming series of the reality show, based on the hit programme he launched in the UK back in 2004. But a spokesperson for Reshet, The X Factor Israel's producers, has confirmed that he will now not appear on screens alongside fellow judges Netta Barzilai, Aviv Geffen and Margalit Tzan'ani.

She may be a music legend, TV star and pop culture icon, but, as Mel B can testify, all that glitters is not gold. For the Spice Girl, her fame and fortune have paled in comparison to the heartache and pain she says she suffered in an abusive relationship – and as a mother of three girls, she tells us it’s something she’s determined to raise awareness of.

James Arthur has come a long way since winning X Factor in 2012.The singer-songwriter was living in a one-room bedsit when he auditioned for the talent show and now lives in his own fully decked out mansion.The luxury property consists of multiple living areas, each featuring huge flat-screen TVs along with his own recording studio.The 33 year old isn’t shy about sharing his home with fans and often posts photos showing off the incredible home on his social media channels.

Joe Swash took to Instagram to share a hilarious picture of Stacey Solomon asleep during a car journey. In the picture we see Stacey with her eyes shut and mouth open, snoozing peacefully, whilst fiancé Joe grins into the camera.

A resurfaced video of Dua Lipa appearing in a promotional advert for The X Factor in 2013 has left fans in shock. The then 17 year old showed off her now-famous vocal chops as she effortlessly sang a cover of Sister Sledge's Lost In Music to promote the show in the minute-long video.

Sinitta has revealed that Simon Cowell is working on a revamped version of The X Factor that we could see on TV as early as this year. Sinitta isn't just excited about her ex-boyfriend's new project as a viewer, as she has admitted she is also hoping for a role on the show.The So Macho singer appeared on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday 18 May, where she broke the news that X Factor fans have been waiting for.

X Factor star Honey G has revealed her shock transformation, weight loss and new hair extensions five years after her debut on the talent show. The rapper shared the amazing news of her two stone weight loss and showcased luscious light brown hair extensions on her Instagram page.

Line of Duty is now officially the most watched drama of the 21st century.The hit BBC police procedural aired its series six finale earlier this month which saw record numbers of fans tuning in to discover the identity of H. Latest official figures show that a massive 15.24 million viewers watched the last episode in a week, boosting it ahead of the previous record-holding 2000 episode of Heartbeat which attracted 15.16 million viewers.

Simon Cowell has displayed his dramatic weight loss in a new photo of him posing alongside his pal Robbie Williams.The pair are sitting together on what looks like a boat, with the sea in the background, in the shot, and both are mocking their girlfriend’s pouts. Sharing the image online, Robbie’s wife Ayda Field declared that both men were trying to impersonate their partners.

Little Mix singer Perrie Edwards has announced she is expecting her first child with boyfriend Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.The Black Magic songstress, 27, shared the heart-warming news on her Instagram page with a black-and-white shot of her stunning bump. Perrie added another snap of her beau Alex, also 27, hugging her from behind as the pair have huge smiles on their faces.

These X Factor contestants were once three of the most recognisable faces in the country. However, not long after their appearances on the TV talent show, they left the spotlight.