It always starts the same way. The opening few piano notes of something slow by Coldplay or Labrinth. A contestant swallows hard, then starts talking about their sick mum/child/dog. And suddenly, before Cheryl can even grab a tissue, you're sat on your sofa blubbing like a toddler.
Yes: The X Factor has given us some of the most heartbreaking moments on TV over the years. And from hysterics at Judges' Houses to Simon Cowell's own rare, salty tears, here are 6 moments that shattered us, ruined us and gave us every feeling possible.
1. Gamu Gate
The so-called 'Gamu Gate' has become a central part of X Factor lore. 18-year-old Zimbabwe-born Gamu Nhengu had given flawless performances throughout the whole show, right through to her rendition of 'Cry Me Out' for Cheryl and will.i.am at Judges' Houses. Surely she was a dead cert for a spot in...
Yes: The X Factor has given us some of the most heartbreaking moments on TV over the years. And from hysterics at Judges' Houses to Simon Cowell's own rare, salty tears, here are 6 moments that shattered us, ruined us and gave us every feeling possible.
1. Gamu Gate
The so-called 'Gamu Gate' has become a central part of X Factor lore. 18-year-old Zimbabwe-born Gamu Nhengu had given flawless performances throughout the whole show, right through to her rendition of 'Cry Me Out' for Cheryl and will.i.am at Judges' Houses. Surely she was a dead cert for a spot in...
- 10/30/2015
- Digital Spy
Get the tissues out, it's Love and Heartache week on The X Factor. Certainly not averse to a sob story or two, this lot should have no problem honing their tales of romance and woe into their performances.
We already know Louis Walsh's remedy for a broken heart, but how will the 11 remaining contestants take on this week's theme? Will Luke Friend dedicate his song to his beloved mop of hair? Will Hannah Barrett beat the odds and make it through a second performance without crying? Will Kingsland Road sing a poignant tune expressing the pain of running out of styling gel?
Join Digital Spy when The X Factor returns to ITV at 8pm to find out the answers to these burning questions, and let us know your thoughts on the show in the comments box below and via our Twitter feed.
22:03Thanks for keeping us company! We'll...
We already know Louis Walsh's remedy for a broken heart, but how will the 11 remaining contestants take on this week's theme? Will Luke Friend dedicate his song to his beloved mop of hair? Will Hannah Barrett beat the odds and make it through a second performance without crying? Will Kingsland Road sing a poignant tune expressing the pain of running out of styling gel?
Join Digital Spy when The X Factor returns to ITV at 8pm to find out the answers to these burning questions, and let us know your thoughts on the show in the comments box below and via our Twitter feed.
22:03Thanks for keeping us company! We'll...
- 10/19/2013
- Digital Spy
If you've got a little bit of a sadistic side (and let's be honest, if you watch X Factor every week, then you must) the Judges' Houses round is the apex of the series.
Everyone cries. Half the contestants get their dreams shredded. Sinitta turns up in a bikini. It makes last week's musical chairs twist look like Dora the Explorer.
At this stage the acts are one step away from the Live Shows and the chance to be the next Leona, One Direction, James Arthur or Rikki Loney (ahem). At the same time they're also one step away from rejection, humiliation and having to return to performing back down at the Dog and Duck for a packet of Scampi Fries and half a shandy.
Sharon Osbourne and her Overs category were up first and they were all joined in sunny Los Angeles by a chirpy Robbie Williams.
"I need to have the winner.
Everyone cries. Half the contestants get their dreams shredded. Sinitta turns up in a bikini. It makes last week's musical chairs twist look like Dora the Explorer.
At this stage the acts are one step away from the Live Shows and the chance to be the next Leona, One Direction, James Arthur or Rikki Loney (ahem). At the same time they're also one step away from rejection, humiliation and having to return to performing back down at the Dog and Duck for a packet of Scampi Fries and half a shandy.
Sharon Osbourne and her Overs category were up first and they were all joined in sunny Los Angeles by a chirpy Robbie Williams.
"I need to have the winner.
- 10/5/2013
- Digital Spy
The X Factor has revealed the first contestants going through to this year's live shows.
Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh selected their top three Overs and Boys that will perform live on next Saturday night's (October 12) first live episode.
Osbourne selected Shelley Smith, Sam Bailey and Lorna Simpson as her final three following their performances at her home in Los Angeles.
Robbie Williams helped her make the difficult decision, which saw Joseph Whelan, Andrea Magee and Zoe Devlin eliminated from the competition.
On the reaction to her appearance on the show, Smith said: "So far the reaction has been lovely. I'm very new to Twitter, but my feed went absolutely ballistic and I even had celebrities tweeting me!"
Bailey added: "Having Sharon as my mentor is amazing; she gave me a massive hug and even made me a cup of tea at her house. The whole thing still doesn't feel real to me.
Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh selected their top three Overs and Boys that will perform live on next Saturday night's (October 12) first live episode.
Osbourne selected Shelley Smith, Sam Bailey and Lorna Simpson as her final three following their performances at her home in Los Angeles.
Robbie Williams helped her make the difficult decision, which saw Joseph Whelan, Andrea Magee and Zoe Devlin eliminated from the competition.
On the reaction to her appearance on the show, Smith said: "So far the reaction has been lovely. I'm very new to Twitter, but my feed went absolutely ballistic and I even had celebrities tweeting me!"
Bailey added: "Having Sharon as my mentor is amazing; she gave me a massive hug and even made me a cup of tea at her house. The whole thing still doesn't feel real to me.
- 10/5/2013
- Digital Spy
X Factor's Joseph Whelan has admitted that it feels like "the end of the world" getting rejected from The X Factor for the second time.
Whelan, who was controversially given the boot at Boot Camp last year, missed out again at Judges' Houses tonight (October 5).
Sharon Osbourne opted to picked Sam Bailey, Lorna Simpson and Shelley Smith for her final 3 in the Live Shows.
Despite positive support from Osbourne's guest mentor Robbie Williams, Whelan didn't make the cut.
Speaking to Dermot O'Leary, Whelan said: "That's worse than last year. I've come further and done more."
The emotional father added: "It's like the end of the world. It hits you so hard when it happens."
Whelan's axe last year prompted fan protests and a Facebook campaign to have him brought back to the show.
The singer insisted that he would "pick up and carry on", but his girlfriend told ITV...
Whelan, who was controversially given the boot at Boot Camp last year, missed out again at Judges' Houses tonight (October 5).
Sharon Osbourne opted to picked Sam Bailey, Lorna Simpson and Shelley Smith for her final 3 in the Live Shows.
Despite positive support from Osbourne's guest mentor Robbie Williams, Whelan didn't make the cut.
Speaking to Dermot O'Leary, Whelan said: "That's worse than last year. I've come further and done more."
The emotional father added: "It's like the end of the world. It hits you so hard when it happens."
Whelan's axe last year prompted fan protests and a Facebook campaign to have him brought back to the show.
The singer insisted that he would "pick up and carry on", but his girlfriend told ITV...
- 10/5/2013
- Digital Spy
The X Factor's Joseph Whelan has released a new music video in the aftermath of Saturday's (October 5) episode.
> X Factor Judges' Houses, Part 1 - review
The singer - who was eliminated from the competition at Sharon Osbourne's home in Los Angeles - will also embark on a small UK tour later this month.
Whelan tweeted: "Here's my new music video guys album coming out at midnight #dirtylover Rt!!!"
"People need some rock!!!" he added.
Whelan will play five UK shows in October and November, beginning with a concert in Birmingham on October 29. He will then play shows in Glasgow, Newcastle, Sheffield and Manchester.
> Meet The X Factor Boys and Overs: All you need to know
Osbourne chose Sam Bailey, Shelley Smith and Lorna Simpson to represent the Overs category in this year's Live shows.
Meanwhile, Louis Walsh put Sam Callahan, Luke Friend and Nicholas McDonald through to the...
> X Factor Judges' Houses, Part 1 - review
The singer - who was eliminated from the competition at Sharon Osbourne's home in Los Angeles - will also embark on a small UK tour later this month.
Whelan tweeted: "Here's my new music video guys album coming out at midnight #dirtylover Rt!!!"
"People need some rock!!!" he added.
Whelan will play five UK shows in October and November, beginning with a concert in Birmingham on October 29. He will then play shows in Glasgow, Newcastle, Sheffield and Manchester.
> Meet The X Factor Boys and Overs: All you need to know
Osbourne chose Sam Bailey, Shelley Smith and Lorna Simpson to represent the Overs category in this year's Live shows.
Meanwhile, Louis Walsh put Sam Callahan, Luke Friend and Nicholas McDonald through to the...
- 10/4/2013
- Digital Spy
The first Judges' Houses pictures from this year's X Factor, including snaps of Olly Murs returning to the show as a guest mentor, have been revealed.
The former contestant and Xtra Factor host will help Gary Barlow choose between groups Rough Copy, Code 4, Brick City, Xyra, Stop Look Listen and the newly-renamed Kingsland Road in New York.
Nicole Scherzinger will be joined by Mary J Blige in Antigua as she watches girls Abi Alton, Tamera Foster, Melanie McCabe, Hannah Barrett, Jade Richards and Relley Clarke.
Frequent guest judge Robbie Williams is teaming up with Sharon Osbourne in Los Angeles, where Over 25s Andrea Magee, Shelley Smith, Sam Bailey, Zoe Devlin, Joseph Whelan and Lorna Simpson will fight for a place in the live shows.
Meanwhile, Louis Walsh will be joined by a record three assistants - All Saints singer Nicole Appleton, Sinitta and Westlife's Shane Filan - as he...
The former contestant and Xtra Factor host will help Gary Barlow choose between groups Rough Copy, Code 4, Brick City, Xyra, Stop Look Listen and the newly-renamed Kingsland Road in New York.
Nicole Scherzinger will be joined by Mary J Blige in Antigua as she watches girls Abi Alton, Tamera Foster, Melanie McCabe, Hannah Barrett, Jade Richards and Relley Clarke.
Frequent guest judge Robbie Williams is teaming up with Sharon Osbourne in Los Angeles, where Over 25s Andrea Magee, Shelley Smith, Sam Bailey, Zoe Devlin, Joseph Whelan and Lorna Simpson will fight for a place in the live shows.
Meanwhile, Louis Walsh will be joined by a record three assistants - All Saints singer Nicole Appleton, Sinitta and Westlife's Shane Filan - as he...
- 10/1/2013
- Digital Spy
Sharon Osbourne has chosen her final six over-25s for the X Factor Judges' Houses stage.
Osbourne will host six hopefuls in Los Angeles, alongside veteran popstar - and former guest mentor - Robbie Williams.
Andrea Magee, 28, made her mark by performing an original song with flute when first in front of the judges. At Boot Camp, she took on 'With or Without You' by U2.
Shelley Smith has made it to Boot Camp twice before, but this year the 34-year-old delivery driver broke through to the final six with her performance of 'Respect' by Aretha Franklin.
Prison officer Sam Bailey, 35, impressed the judges with her room performance of 'Listen' by Beyoncé. She then won her place in Los Angeles by singing Emeli Sandé's 'Clown'.
Zoe Devlin, 28, is a former backing vocalist for Alabama 3. After quitting the band several years ago when she found out she...
Osbourne will host six hopefuls in Los Angeles, alongside veteran popstar - and former guest mentor - Robbie Williams.
Andrea Magee, 28, made her mark by performing an original song with flute when first in front of the judges. At Boot Camp, she took on 'With or Without You' by U2.
Shelley Smith has made it to Boot Camp twice before, but this year the 34-year-old delivery driver broke through to the final six with her performance of 'Respect' by Aretha Franklin.
Prison officer Sam Bailey, 35, impressed the judges with her room performance of 'Listen' by Beyoncé. She then won her place in Los Angeles by singing Emeli Sandé's 'Clown'.
Zoe Devlin, 28, is a former backing vocalist for Alabama 3. After quitting the band several years ago when she found out she...
- 9/29/2013
- Digital Spy
The X Factor contestant Joseph Whelan has opened up about being axed from the show last year.
The singer made it through to Boot Camp in 2012, but failed to progress to the live shows.
He said to Digital Spy: "It's kind of a bit embarrassing to be rejected on TV. This year I'm sort of preparing for the worst.
"It's so easy to get sucked into the surreal [belief of], 'I'm going to be a popstar or rock star', and then all of a sudden, bang, it's gone and that's it."
He added that he nearly considered going on the BBC's rival singing show.
Whelan said: "I thought about The Voice. But I sort of really stopped myself from doing anything like that last year because do you really want to face any more public humiliation?
"I didn't want to go through that again. It took me quite a while to get over The X Factor.
The singer made it through to Boot Camp in 2012, but failed to progress to the live shows.
He said to Digital Spy: "It's kind of a bit embarrassing to be rejected on TV. This year I'm sort of preparing for the worst.
"It's so easy to get sucked into the surreal [belief of], 'I'm going to be a popstar or rock star', and then all of a sudden, bang, it's gone and that's it."
He added that he nearly considered going on the BBC's rival singing show.
Whelan said: "I thought about The Voice. But I sort of really stopped myself from doing anything like that last year because do you really want to face any more public humiliation?
"I didn't want to go through that again. It took me quite a while to get over The X Factor.
- 9/23/2013
- Digital Spy
X Factor contestant Joseph Whelan has denied using his son to succeed on the show.
The singer has received criticism after his son Kian has featured in his auditions this year and last.
Photo gallery - The X Factor week 4:During his room audition this year, the 5-year-old sat on the lap of Nicole Scherzinger while Whelan sang.
The contestant told Digital Spy: "One thing that gets to me is when people say I try and use my son. It's not nice. Kian comes because he wants to come to the show.
"He wanted to come to the arena audition as well, but it was such a long day waiting around I didn't take him. So it's not like every opportunity I get I throw my son in there as some sort of sob story."
Whelan, who made it through to Boot Camp in the last series, went on to...
The singer has received criticism after his son Kian has featured in his auditions this year and last.
Photo gallery - The X Factor week 4:During his room audition this year, the 5-year-old sat on the lap of Nicole Scherzinger while Whelan sang.
The contestant told Digital Spy: "One thing that gets to me is when people say I try and use my son. It's not nice. Kian comes because he wants to come to the show.
"He wanted to come to the arena audition as well, but it was such a long day waiting around I didn't take him. So it's not like every opportunity I get I throw my son in there as some sort of sob story."
Whelan, who made it through to Boot Camp in the last series, went on to...
- 9/23/2013
- Digital Spy
Builder and wannabe rock singer Joseph Whelan makes his highly-anticipated comeback on this weekend's X Factor.
Whelan, who was controversially axed from the show at last year's Boot Camp stage, reveals that he has returned more determined in his second attempt at the competition.
Watch a clip of Joseph Whelan's audition:
"I always felt like I could have given more, that's why I'm back this year," he tells the cameras. "I just hope it goes right this year."
Whelan dedicates his performance to his family and in particular his son, who he claims is his reason for "getting out of bed in the morning".
His cover of Bon Jovi's 'Always' appears to win over the judges who snubbed him last year and Louis Walsh claims that the singer is "what this competition is all about".
The X Factor audition rooms conclude tonight (September 21) at 8pm on ITV.
Whelan, who was controversially axed from the show at last year's Boot Camp stage, reveals that he has returned more determined in his second attempt at the competition.
Watch a clip of Joseph Whelan's audition:
"I always felt like I could have given more, that's why I'm back this year," he tells the cameras. "I just hope it goes right this year."
Whelan dedicates his performance to his family and in particular his son, who he claims is his reason for "getting out of bed in the morning".
His cover of Bon Jovi's 'Always' appears to win over the judges who snubbed him last year and Louis Walsh claims that the singer is "what this competition is all about".
The X Factor audition rooms conclude tonight (September 21) at 8pm on ITV.
- 9/20/2013
- Digital Spy
Rough Copy, Jade Richards and John Adams are among the former X Factor contestants who have been seen auditioning for this year's series.
The judges started filming the second stage of auditions in front of arena audiences last week, and fans on the Digital Spy forums have already spotted some familiar faces among the series 10 contestants.
Boyband Rough Copy were one of the early favourites in last year's series, but were forced to pull out of the competition at the Judges' Houses stage due to visa issues.
Meanwhile, popular Scottish singer Jade Richards, who was a surprise departure from Judges' Houses in 2011 and a Boot Camp reject in 2012, is back for a third attempt to make the Live Shows.
Other returning singers from previous series include teacher John Adams, who appeared in 2011, and Joseph Whelan, whose axing at Boot Camp last year prompted a 200,000 strong Facebook campaign to get him back on the show.
The judges started filming the second stage of auditions in front of arena audiences last week, and fans on the Digital Spy forums have already spotted some familiar faces among the series 10 contestants.
Boyband Rough Copy were one of the early favourites in last year's series, but were forced to pull out of the competition at the Judges' Houses stage due to visa issues.
Meanwhile, popular Scottish singer Jade Richards, who was a surprise departure from Judges' Houses in 2011 and a Boot Camp reject in 2012, is back for a third attempt to make the Live Shows.
Other returning singers from previous series include teacher John Adams, who appeared in 2011, and Joseph Whelan, whose axing at Boot Camp last year prompted a 200,000 strong Facebook campaign to get him back on the show.
- 7/23/2013
- Digital Spy
Tulisa Contostavlos wants Joseph Whelan back on 'The X Factor'. The 24-year-old judge was disappointed when the handsome father-of-one was eliminated at the end of the Boot Camp stage of the ITV1 singing competition, and admits she would love to see him voted back on the show. Tulisa told the Huffington Post UK: ''All of the judges have different opinions. Sometimes it's not unanimous and everyone is making different decisions. From the get go I wanted him in the competition. ''I think he's gorgeous but I was battled with on that one. I am actually a Joseph fan so 'hey, bring back Joseph'.'' Joseph...
- 9/27/2012
- Virgin Media - TV
Tulisa Contostavlos wants Joseph Whelan back on 'The X Factor'. The 24-year-old judge was disappointed when the handsome father-of-one was eliminated at the end of the Boot Camp stage of the ITV1 singing competition, and admits she would love to see him voted back on the show. Tulisa told the Huffington Post UK: ''All of the judges have different opinions. Sometimes it's not unanimous and everyone is making different decisions. From the get go I wanted him in the competition. ''I think he's gorgeous but I was battled with on that one. I am actually a Joseph fan so 'hey, bring back Joseph'.'' Joseph...
- 9/25/2012
- Virgin Media - TV
'X Factor' reject Joseph Whelan has out at the show - claiming it's fixed. The single dad was axed from the ITV1 talent show after the bootcamp stage of the show over the weekend and insists he should have gone through instead of Rylan Clark. Joseph claims the judges - Gary Barlow, Louis Walsh, Tulisa Contostavlos and Nicole Scherzinger - only put Rylan through to the Judges' Houses stage because of his looks and personality rather than his vocal talent. He told The Sun newspaper: ''Rylan has a great look and great personality - but the man can't sing! '''The X Factor' set me...
- 9/25/2012
- Virgin Media - TV
Digital Spy readers and Facebook users have reacted angrily to Joseph Whelan's departure from The X Factor. The rock singer and dad-of-one was one of the most popular auditionees on this year's series, but he wasn't selected for Judges' Houses at the weekend. Jake Quickenden, James Arthur, Jahmene Douglas, Nathan Fagan-Gayle, Adam Burridge and Rylan Clark were the six singers put through ahead of Whelan. Essex reality TV star Clark's selection has come under extra criticism because it is believed by some viewers he was chosen for non-musical reasons. A Facebook page campaigning to get Whelan back on the ITV1 talent show has already collected 212,000 'Likes' after only a few days online. Meanwhile, Digital Spy readers have responded angrily to the singer's omission. One reader said: "By (more)...
- 9/25/2012
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
Joseph Whelan has hit out at The X Factor after he was axed at Boot Camp. The singer, who failed to reach the final 24 on Sunday's (September 23) show, claimed that producers got rid of him to cause controversy, adding that fellow contestant Rylan Clark "can't sing". "The X Factor set me up for a fall. They shafted me by praising me so highly - then sending me home," Whelan told The Sun. "I nailed all three of my performances and didn't get one negative comment from the judges. So I was in complete shock when they kicked me out. "But The X Factor loves controversy. They obviously decided the backlash (more)...
- 9/25/2012
- by By Colin Daniels
- Digital Spy
'X Factor' reject Joseph Whelan has out at the show - claiming it's fixed. The single dad was axed from the ITV1 talent show after the bootcamp stage of the show over the weekend and insists he should have gone through instead of Rylan Clark. Joseph claims the judges - Gary Barlow, Louis Walsh, Tulisa Contostavlos and Nicole Scherzinger - only put Rylan through to the Judges' Houses stage because of his looks and personality rather than his vocal talent. He told The Sun newspaper: ''Rylan has a great look and great personality - but the man can't sing! '''The X Factor' set me...
- 9/24/2012
- Virgin Media - TV
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