The X Factor is the most popular British television singing competition contested by aspiring singers drawn from public auditions.

The X Factor was devised as a replacement for the highly successful Pop Idol, which was put on indefinite hiatus after its second series, largely because Simon Cowell wished to launch a show that he owned the television rights to.

It is the biggest television talent competition in Europe, with 182,000 auditioning for series 5. The prize is a recording contract with record label Syco with a stated value of 1,000,000. This includes a cash payment to the winner, but the majority is allocated to marketing and recording costs. The show has proved hugely popular, with series 6 attracting 200,000 auditionees and peaking at 19.7 million UK viewers . 10 million votes were cast in the series 6 final.

The show is primarily concerned with identifying singing talent, though appearance, personality, stage presence and dance routines are also an important element of many performances. The single most important attribute that the judges are seeking, however, is the ability to appeal to a mass market of pop fans

A round of first auditions is held in front of producers months before the show is aired, either by application and appointment, or at "open" auditions that anyone can attend.Should they pass that audition,they are given a "golden ticket" allowing them to sing to a more senior production member. Only candidates who successfully pass that second audition are invited to perform to the judges.

The contestants selected at audition are further refined through a series of performances at "boot camp" (held at a venue such as a country hotel or an arena), and then at the "judges' houses", until a small number eventually progress to the live finals.

In the first few weeks of the finals, each act performs once in the first show in front of a studio audience and the judges. After each act has performed, the judges comment on their performance, usually focusing on vocal ability, image and stage presence.Once all the acts have appeared, the phone lines open and the viewing public vote on which act they want to keep.

Over the years The X Factor found many talented soloists and bands, some of them became international superstars. There have been six winners to date: Steve Brookstein, Shayne Ward, Leona Lewis, Leon Jackson, Alexandra Burke and Joe McElderry.

The show had, and it still has, a big influence on young peoples lives. It has been reported that between 2003 and 2007 the number of people who chose to study Performing Arts has increased with 23 percent.

Richard Milburn, a lecturer in Performance and Production at the University of Cumbria said, TV talent shows are having an impact on applications and of course this is great news for the Performing Arts. We are seeing a huge increase in applications which reflects the national trend and, unlike some institutions we audition everyone who meets the entry criteria.

At the heart of the X Factor formula is the makeover. It would never attract audiences of around 10 million without the fantastic wardrobes, because it needs the sartorial rollercoasters of the "before and after" to heighten the emotional ones so frequently invoked by the contestants. Accordingly, the wardrobe trailer is where the contestants come to be transformed, or, as someone immune to The X Factor's cheesy charms might see it, the products in the dream factory come to be packaged.BeforeAfter

Over the seasons The X Factor proved that good vocals is not enough to win the contest.contestants like Leona Lewis , Alexandra Burke and Shayne Ward confirmed that besides good vocals they can also impress the British people with their abilities to entertain and they have become top selling artists.

The EndRobert Christian SanduLuiza CurelusaIoana LunguCatalina SuhanMiruna Ewa FeherProduced and designed by:

*