Tag Archives: One Direction

X Factor start date confirmed

X Factor returns for its ninth series

Series nine of the X Factor will begin on 18 August, it has been revealed.

The reality show, which spawned the likes of One Direction, Leona Lewis and JLS, will return to our screens between 8pm and 9.15pm on the Saturday night, in the middle of a Red or Black double bill.

This year, judges Louis Walsh, Tulisa Contostavlos and Gary Barlow will be joined on the panel by former singer Nicole Scherzinger, who replaces Kelly Rowland.

The first few episodes of the series, however, will feature a series of guest judges, including R.I.P. star Rita Ora, Spice Girl Geri Halliwell and singer, Anastasia.

Dermot O’Leary will return to host the show, accompanied by Caroline Flack and former X Factor contestant, Olly Murs for spin off, the Xtra Factor.

Catch the first episode of the new series on 18 August at 8pm on ITV1.

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X Factor promo upsets Shayne Ward

Shayne won the X Factor in 2005

ITV has launched a new advertising campaign for the X Factor that seems to have hit a nerve with series two winner, Shayne Ward.

The promo looks back at the show’s history and features Leona Lewis, One Direction, Olly Murs, Alexandra Burke, JLS and Little Mix talking about their experiences on the reality show.

However, Shayne, 27, seems a bit rattled that he hasn’t been mentioned, commenting on Twitter:

“Just seen the new X Factor promo video. Yet again it’s like I’m being erased slowly from their history.

“Pathetic really. Would love to know why?”

Ward won the X Factor in 2005 and subsequently scored two platinum albums. His third record, Obsession, reached Number 15 in the charts and his single of the same name debuted at Number 97.

Other series winners Matt Cardle, Joe McElderry, Leon Jackson and Steve Brookstein have also been left out of the promo.

Shayne is currently starring as Stacee Jaxx in 80s-themed musical, Rock of Ages at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London. He is reportedly set to return to the studio when his contract ends this September.

Watch ITV’s #WhoseTimeIsNow promo for the next series of the X Factor, which starts in August, now:

Related: Signed, Sealed, Delivered he’s floored
Related: Matt Cardle dropped by record label

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Matt Cardle dropped by record label

Cardle won the X Factor in 2010

Matt Cardle has “parted ways” with his record company, the singer has confirmed.

Cardle, 23, bagged the deal after winning the seventh series of the X Factor in 2010, ahead of One Direction and Rebecca Ferguson, however he has failed to emulate their success in the charts.

The former painter and decorator revealed the news through his Twitter page on 21 May, posting:

“I have parted ways with Columbia Records, we were heading in different directions, big news coming soon…. So excited!”

Essex-born Cardle initially scored a Number 1 single with his cover of Biffy Clyro’s When We Collide.

He also made the Top 10 with the Gary Barlow-penned track, Run For Your Life, however his latest two singles only reached Number 185 and Number 84.

Cardle joins a long list of X Factor winners who were dropped or parted ways with their record companies, including original winner Steve Brookstein, Shayne Ward and Joe McElderry.

Related: One Direction set US chart record

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One Direction set US chart record

One Direction are taking the US by storm

One Direction have become the first British group in history to debut at Number 1 in the US album chart.

The band, who made it big after appearing on the X Factor in 2010, went straight to the top of the Billboard Chart with their record, Up All Night, which sold a massive 176,000 copies in its first week of release.

The previous highest entry for a UK group’s first album was Number 6, when the Spice Girls released their album, Spice in the US back in 1997.

Band member Harry Styles told the BBC that achieving a Number 1 was a “dream come true”, saying:

“We simply cannot believe that we are number one in America. We want to thank each and every one of our fans in the US who bought our album and we would also like to thank the American public for being so supportive of us.”

Niall, Harry, Zayn, Liam and Louis stormed the States recently, following a country-wide promotional tour which saw them support boyband Big Time Rush on tour and appear on the Today Show.

It was also confirmed this week that the band are set to star in their own television show, which will be broadcast on children’s channel, Nickelodeon.

The Simon Cowell-managed band are not the only UK group currently enjoying success in the States; The Wanted recently became the highest charting British boyband in the US singles chart, after reaching Number 5 with their hit, Glad You Came.

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Harry Styles confirms split from Flack

15-year age difference

Harry Styles has confirmed that he and girlfriend, television host Caroline Flack, have split after three months together.

The 17-year-old addressed rumours that he had dumped his 32-year-old other half, posting on his Twitter account:

“Please know I didn’t ‘dump’ Caroline. This was a mutual decision. She is one of the kindest, sweetest people I know. Please respect that.”

According to reports, the couple, who caused controversy because of their 15-year age difference, decided to end things so Styles could concentrate on launching his career in the US with band One Direction.

A source told The Mirror:

“He’s going off to America in a couple of days and he wants to be able to commit fully to making the band a success in the States.

“They’ll be back for the BRITs, but all in all they’ll be away for two months. It’s a long time to be apart especially with so much going on.”

Harry found fame on 2010′s series of the X Factor, with boyband One Direction. He and Caroline – who presented spin-off show the Xtra Factor – are said to have met when he performed on the reality show last year.

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