BB FANS

The Bafta-award winning X Factor is back for its fifth series with a brand new line-up. Girls Aloud star Cheryl Cole joins the judging panel, replacing Sharon Osbourne. But Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and Dannii Minogue return once again to travel the length and breadth of Britain looking for yet another new singing sensation.

Last year, Scottish youngster Leon Jackson shocked everyone by beating Welshman Rhydian Roberts; the flamboyant Welshman was the odds-on favourite to win the grand prize.

This year will be every bit as dramatic...or so the hype says. Dermot O'Leary returns to host the proceedings and the four categories are: Boys (14-24s), Girls (14-24s), 25 and Overs and the Groups.

Entertainment.U

Cheryl Cole without wedding ring at X Factor launch

New X Factor judge Cheryl Cole has refused to talk about the state of her marriage to cheating Chelsea football player husband Ashley - despite appearing at the show's press conference without her wedding ring.

Mirror

Dermot: I'll miss Mrs Osbourne

DERMOT O’Leary said he’ll miss Sharon Osbourne on this year’s X Factor.

The show’s presenter said he loved Mrs O’s unpredictability on the series last year when he spoke to The Sun.

He also said Louis was the easiest judge to wind-up and that he was planning to play jokes on him on the new show.

SUN

Tear jerk Simon makes me weep

NewsoftheWorld

Cheryl's X party
At the V Festival Virgin mobile

Cheryl Cole will be treated to a party from her new X Factor pals after Girls Aloud perform today.

The talent show's new judge will be whisked off stage by hosts Dermot O'Leary and Holly Willoughby.

people

Over 11m tune in to X Factor

At its peak, more than 11 million people watched the ITV talent show - trumping last year's figures of 9.5 million viewers who watched the first episode.

The new series saw Girls Aloud's Cheryl Cole make her debut as the new judge, replacing Sharon Osbourne who quit after four years on the show.

Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh remain on the panel along with Dannii Minogue, who recently revealed she had a difficult relationship with Osbourne.

"We weren't friends," said Minogue."We weren't always fighting, but Sharon made it clear that she didn't like me, so she won't be missed. Not by me."

In the first episode, Cole left the set when Nikk Mager, an old friend from Popstars: The Rivals, auditioned.

Cole, who was a contestant on the show in 2002 and was chosen to become a member of Girls Aloud, said judging him would be "biased" and "weird".

ITN

I don't read much about 'celebrities' and stuff...

I liked Sharon Osbourne on X-Factor in the past; thought she had a 'motherly' streak to her. And so, when I heard she was being replaced by Cheryl Cole, I was dubious. So she can sing, so she looks good, so she's a famous name...but....

BUT it turns out that Cheryl's great on the show. Really impressed with her. She's expressive, feisty, warm and charismatic. I don't know what Dannii thinks of her, but the cruel truth is that while Simon and Louis - like them or loathe them - have their own individual niche on the show, now Cheryl looks like she's more than earned her place as judge. It's Dannii who is looking rather dull. But maybe when it comes to boot camp and mentoring, she'll prove herself again.

X Factor got more than 10 million viewers last week - pretty impressive these days.

Teacher Carol's X Factor experience
bonessjourna