‘The X Factor UK’: All the Judges and Hosts (2024)

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‘The X Factor UK’: All the Judges and Hosts (2)

ITV

Nearly two decades ago, former “Pop Idol” judge Simon Cowell created “The X Factor” for ITV and thus established one of the most successful singing competition series ever. He served as a judge and mentor during 12 of the show’s original 15 seasons and thus had a hand in fostering the careers of several well-known musicians. The show ultimately went through 15 judges and four hosts, and we have included brief profiles of each in our gallery below.

Reports of a revival of the UK version of “The X Factor” have been circulating since June of 2022. They remain unconfirmed, so it is unclear whether or not Cowell would return in an on-screen capacity. This potential 16th season would also likely involve a move to a different network.

The job of an “X Factor” judge first involved sorting through a given season’s hundreds of auditioners to determine which were worthy of participating in the bootcamp stage. During this time, each judge would be assigned a mentee group of performers who were usually categorized by gender or age. They would then observe and comment on all of the performances during the live elimination rounds until one performer or group was chosen by home viewers as the winner.

  • Simon Cowell (judge)

    ‘The X Factor UK’: All the Judges and Hosts (3)

    Seasons 1-7; 11-15 (2004-2010; 2014-2018)

    Winning mentees: Steve Brookstein (1); Leona Lewis (3); Ben Haenow (11); Rak-Su (14)

    Other work:
    – Creator and producer of “The X Factor” (UK)

    – Creator, producer, and judge on “Pop Idol” (2001-2003), “American Idol” (2002-2016), “The X Factor” (US, 2011-2013), and “America’s Got Talent” (2011-present)

    – Guest judge on “The X Factor” (Australia, 2012) and “Canada’s Got Talent” (2022)

    – Grammy nominee for Record of the Year (“Bleeding Love,” 2009)

  • Sharon Osbourne (judge)

    ‘The X Factor UK’: All the Judges and Hosts (4)

    Seasons 1-4; 10; 13-14 (2004-2007; 2013; 2016-2017)

    Winning mentee: Sam Bailey (10)

    Other work:
    – Founder of Sharon Osbourne Management

    – Star of MTV’s “The Osbournes” (2002-2005)

    – Judge on “America’s Got Talent” (2007-2012)

    – Co-host of CBS’s “The Talk” (2010-2021) and TalkTV’s “The Talk” (2022-present)

  • Louis Walsh (judge)

    ‘The X Factor UK’: All the Judges and Hosts (5)

    Seasons 1-11; 13-14 (2004-2014; 2016-2017)

    Winning mentee: Shayne Ward (2)

    Other work:
    – Creator and manager of the groups Boyzone, Bellefire, Westlife, and HomeTown

    – Judge on “Popstars” (2001-2002), “You’re a Star” (2003-2004), “Ireland’s Got Talent” (2018-2019), and “The X Factor: Celebrity” (2019)

    – Guest judge on “Britain’s Got Talent” (2010-2011)

  • Dannii Minogue (judge)

    ‘The X Factor UK’: All the Judges and Hosts (6)

    Seasons 4-7 (2007-2010)

    Winning mentees: Leon Jackson (4); Matt Cardle (7)

    Other work:
    – Performer on “Young Talent Time” (1982-1988) and “Home and Away” (1989-1990)

    – Five studio albums

    – Judge on “Australia’s Got Talent” (2007-2012), “Britain’s Next Top Model” (2013), “The X Factor Australia” (2013-2015), “Let It Shine” (2017), and “The Masked Singer Australia” (2019-2021)

  • Cheryl (judge)

    ‘The X Factor UK’: All the Judges and Hosts (7)

    Seasons 5-7; 11-12 (2008-2010; 2014-2015)

    Winning mentees: Alexandra Burke (5); Joe McElderry (6)

    Other work:
    – Member of Girls Aloud (2002-2009; 2012-2013) and solo artist (2009-present)

    – Guest judge on “The X Factor” (US, 2011)

    – First British female solo artist to achieve five UK #1 singles (2014)

    – Judge on “The Greatest Dancer” (2019-2020)

  • Gary Barlow (judge)

    ‘The X Factor UK’: All the Judges and Hosts (8)

    Seasons 8-10 (2011-2013)

    Winning mentees: None

    Other work:
    – Lead singer of Take That (1990-1996; 2005-present)

    – Six solo albums

    – Appointee to the Order of the British Empire (2012)

    – Judge on “Let It Shine” (2017) and “Walk the Line” (2021)

  • Kelly Rowland (judge)

    ‘The X Factor UK’: All the Judges and Hosts (9)

    Season 8 (2011)

    Winning mentees: None

    Other work:
    – Member of Destiny’s Child (1996-2006)

    – Four-time Grammy winner: Best Group R&B Performance (“Say My Name,” 2001; “Survivor,” 2002), Best R&B Song (“Say My Name,” 2001); Best Rap/Sung Collaboration (“Dilemma,” 2003)

    – Four solo albums and five overall Billboard chart-topping singles

    – Judge on “The X Factor” (US, 2013) and “The Voice Australia” (2017-2

  • Tulisa (judge)

    ‘The X Factor UK’: All the Judges and Hosts (10)

    Seasons 8-9 (2011-2012)

    Winning mentees: Little Mix (8)

    Other work:
    – Member of N-Dubz (2000-2011; 2022-present)

    – Regular on Channel 4’s “Dubplate Drama” (2007-2009)

    – One solo album and three overall UK #1 singles

  • Nicole Scherzinger (judge)

    ‘The X Factor UK’: All the Judges and Hosts (11)

    Seasons 9-10; 13-14 (2012-2013; 2016-2017)

    Winning mentees: James Arthur (9); Matt Terry (13)

    Other work:
    – Member of The puss*cat Dolls (2003-2010; 2019-2022)

    – Grammy nominee for Best Group Pop Performance (“Stickwitu,” 2005)

    – Judge on “The Sing Off” (2009-2010), “The X Factor” (US, 2011), “The Masked Singer” (2019-present), and “Australia’s Got Talent” (2019)

    – Winner of “Dancing with the Stars” (2010)

  • Mel B (judge)

    ‘The X Factor UK’: All the Judges and Hosts (12)

    Season 11 (2014)

    Winning mentees: None

    Other work:
    – Member of The Spice Girls (as Scary Spice: 1994-2000; 2007-2008; 2012; 2018-present)

    – Two solo albums, 10 overall UK #1 singles, and one Billboard Hot 100 #1 single (“Wannabe”)

    – “Dancing with the Stars” runner-up (2007)

    – Judge on “The X Factor” (Australia, 2011-2012; 2016), “America’s Got Talent” (2013-2018), “The Voice Kids” (2014), and “The Masked Singer” (Australia, 2022)

  • Nick Grimshaw (judge)

    ‘The X Factor UK’: All the Judges and Hosts (13)

    Season 12 (2015)

    Winning mentees: None

    Other work:
    – BBC Radio 1 host (2007-2021)

    – Presenter on a dozen series, including “The Album Chart Show” (2008-2012), “T4” (2010-2012), and “Sweat the Small Stuff” (2013-2014)

    – Author of “Soft Lad”

  • Rita Ora (judge)

    ‘The X Factor UK’: All the Judges and Hosts (14)

    Season 12 (2015)

    Winning mentee: Louisa Johnson (12)

    Other work:
    – Two studio albums and three UK #1 singles

    – Female solo record holder for most UK top 10 singles (13)

    – Coach or panelist on “The Voice” (UK, 2015; Australia, 2021-present) and “The Masked Singer UK” (2020-present)

    – Actress in the “Fifty Shades” trilogy (2015-2018)

  • Ayda Field (judge)

    ‘The X Factor UK’: All the Judges and Hosts (15)

    Season 15 (2018)

    Winning mentees: None

    Other work:
    – Actress on “Days of Our Lives” (2000-2001), “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” (2006-2007), “Back to You” (2007-2008), and “Fresh Meat” (2016)

    – Panelist on ITV’s “Loose Women” (2016-2017)

    – Founder of Ayda activewear brand

  • Louis Tomlinson (judge)

    ‘The X Factor UK’: All the Judges and Hosts (16)

    Season 15 (2018)

    Winning mentee: Dalton Harris (15)

    Other work:
    – Member of One Direction (2010-2016)

    – Third place finisher (with One Direction) of “The X Factor” season seven (2010)

    – One solo album and seven overall UK #1 singles

  • Robbie Williams (judge)

    ‘The X Factor UK’: All the Judges and Hosts (17)

    Season 15 (2018)

    Winning mentees: None

    Other work:
    – Member of Take That (1990-1995; 2010-2012)

    – 13 solo albums and 18 overall UK #1 singles

    – Grammy nominee for Best Long Form Music Video (“Live at the Albert,” 2003) and Best Short Form Music Video (“My Culture,” 2003)

  • Kate Thornton (host)

    ‘The X Factor UK’: All the Judges and Hosts (18)

    Seasons 1-3 (2004-2006)

    Other work:
    – Editor for “Smash Hits” (1996-1997), “Sunday Times” (1997-2001), and “Marie Claire” (1997-2003)

    – Presenter on radio shows such as “Let’s Talk” (2005-2020), “Paper Cuts” (2014-2016; 2019), and “Saturday Nights” (2022-present)

    – Presenter on over two dozen TV shows, including “Loose Women” (2009-2011), “This Morning” (2009-2012), and “71 Degrees North” (2010)

  • Dermot O’Leary (host)

    ‘The X Factor UK’: All the Judges and Hosts (19)

    Seasons 4-11; 13-15 (2007-2014; 2016-2018)

    Other work:
    – Presenter on over two dozen TV shows, including “T4” (1998-2001), “1 vs. 100” (2006-2007), “The Morning” (2021-2022), and “The Pet Show” (2021-present)

    – BBC Radio 2 host (2004-present)

    – Host of the National Television Awards (2010-2019)

  • Caroline Flack (host)

    ‘The X Factor UK’: All the Judges and Hosts (20)

    Season 12 (2015)

    Other work:
    – Winner of “Dancing on Wheels” (2009) and “Strictly Come Dancing” (2014)

    – Presenter on such series as “TMi” (2006-2008), “Love Island” (2015-2019)

    – Subject of “Caroline Flack: Her Life and Death” (2021) following her 2020 death

  • Olly Murs (host)

    ‘The X Factor UK’: All the Judges and Hosts (21)

    Season 12 (2015)

    Other work:
    – “The X Factor” runner-up (season six, 2009)

    – Six studio albums and six UK #1 singles

    – Coach on “The Voice UK” (2018-present)

‘The X Factor UK’: All the Judges and Hosts (22)

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‘The X Factor UK’: All the Judges and Hosts (2024)

FAQs

Who were the judges on the X Factor UK? ›

The X Factor (British TV series)
The X Factor
Presented byKate Thornton Dermot O'Leary Caroline Flack Olly Murs
JudgesLouis Walsh Sharon Osbourne Simon Cowell Dannii Minogue Cheryl Gary Barlow Tulisa Kelly Rowland Nicole Scherzinger Mel B Nick Grimshaw Rita Ora Robbie Williams Ayda Field Louis Tomlinson
20 more rows

Who were the judges on X Factor UK 2011? ›

On 30 May 2011, the judging line-up was confirmed as Louis Walsh, Barlow, Tulisa and Rowland. Barlow said that he was "extremely excited" to work on the show, and hoped to find a global superstar. Tulisa hoped to "bring something fresh and new to the panel", promising to speak her mind.

Who were the judges on X Factor UK 2012? ›

The X Factor (British TV series) series 9
The X Factor
JudgesNicole Scherzinger Gary Barlow Tulisa Louis Walsh Leona Lewis (guest) Geri Halliwell (guest) Rita Ora (guest) Mel B (guest) Anastacia (guest)
WinnerJames Arthur
Winning mentorNicole Scherzinger
Runner-upJahméne Douglas
12 more rows

Who was the first host of X Factor UK? ›

Kate Thornton (born 7 February 1973) is an English journalist and broadcaster, best known as the first presenter of The X Factor (2004–2006) and for presenting daytime shows including Loose Women (2009–2011) and This Morning (2009–2012).

Who is the most successful X Factor judge? ›

Out of all the judges, Simon has the biggest winning history - won 4 times in his 12 years of The X Factor UK with Steve Brookstein in 2004, Leona Lewis in 2006, Ben Haenow in 2014 and Rak-Su in 2017, although Leona was actually one of the few winners who went on to become international stars.

Who is the most successful X Factor contestant UK? ›

Lewis emerged as the most successful contestant to appear on the X Factor having sold over 30 million records worldwide as well as being the only former contestant to be nominated for a Grammy.

Who were The X Factor judges in 2015? ›

The judges were Simon Cowell, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, who returned for their respective ninth and fifth series as judges, series 9 guest judge and former The Voice UK coach Rita Ora, and BBC Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw, with Grimshaw and Ora replacing Louis Walsh, the only judge who had been on the show from its ...

Who was the jury on X Factor UK 2017? ›

The fourteenth series began airing on ITV on 2 September 2017, presented by Dermot O'Leary. For the first time in seven years, the judging panel remained the same as the previous series, with Nicole Scherzinger, Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh returning.

Who were The X Factor judges in 2008? ›

The X Factor (British TV series) series 5
The X Factor
Hosted byDermot O'Leary (ITV) Holly Willoughby(ITV2)
JudgesSimon Cowell Cheryl Cole Dannii Minogue Louis Walsh
WinnerAlexandra Burke
Winning mentorCheryl Cole
11 more rows

Who hosted X Factor 2009? ›

The show was presented by Dermot O'Leary, with spin-off show The Xtra Factor presented by Holly Willoughby on ITV2. McElderry's winner's single was a cover version of Miley Cyrus's "The Climb". Public auditions by aspiring singers began in June 2009 and were held in five cities across the UK.

Who was the host of X Factor 2010? ›

Dermot O'Leary

When was X Factor UK Cancelled? ›

Created by Cowell, “The X Factor” began airing in 2004 and 445 episodes have aired over 15 series, with the last one being in 2018. The show was produced by Fremantle's Thames and Cowell's production company Syco Entertainment.

Who have been judges on Britain's Got Talent? ›

Britain's Got Talent
JudgesSimon Cowell Amanda Holden Piers Morgan David Hasselhoff Michael McIntyre Alesha Dixon David Walliams Bruno Tonioli
Voices ofPeter Dickson
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
18 more rows

Who among these has been a judge on shows like X Factor UK American Idol and America's got talent? ›

Simon Cowell

He also served as a judge on Pop Idol and The X Factor UK. Cowell is also known for putting together groups like One Direction and Fifth Harmony on The X Factor UK. He now serves as a judge on America's Got Talent.

Where is Joe Irvine now? ›

Since the X Factor, he has been gigging around New Zealand and soon plans to release a string of singles. He has also written a song about his experiences on the show called Addiction.

What happened to Simon Cowell? ›

Key Takeaways. Simon Cowell sustained life-threatening injuries, including a broken back, from an electric bike accident in Malibu and underwent a six-hour surgery involving the placement of a metal rod.

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