''
The X Factor
''The X Factor'' is a television music competition franchise created by British producer Simon Cowell and his company Syco Entertainment. It originated in the United Kingdom, where it was devised as a replacement for ''Pop Idol'' (2001–2003 ...
'' is a British television music competition to find new singing talent. The second series ran from 20 August to 17 December 2005.
Shayne Ward
Shayne Thomas Ward (born 16 October 1984) is an English actor and singer. He rose to fame as the winner of The X Factor (British series 2), the second series of ''The X Factor (British TV series), The X Factor''. His debut single, "That's M ...
became the winner and
Louis Walsh
Michael Louis Vincent Walsh (born 5 August 1952) is an Irish music manager and television personality. He has managed Johnny Logan, Boyzone, Jedward and Westlife, four of Ireland's most successful pop acts in the 1990s and 2000s. He later bec ...
emerged as the winning mentor. The second series was longer than the
first
First or 1st is the ordinal form of the number one (#1).
First or 1st may also refer to:
*World record, specifically the first instance of a particular achievement
Arts and media Music
* 1$T, American rapper, singer-songwriter, DJ, and rec ...
, with seven acts in each of the three categories going to the judges' homes, and 12 acts in the finals instead of 9.
Kate Thornton
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'' (2 ...
returned as presenter of the main show on
ITV
ITV or iTV may refer to:
ITV
*Independent Television (ITV), a British television network, consisting of:
** ITV (TV network), a free-to-air national commercial television network covering the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islan ...
and
Ben Shepherd
Hunter Benedict Shepherd (born September 20, 1968) is an American musician, best known as the bassist of the rock band Soundgarden from 1990 to 2019. Shepherd has won two Grammy Awards as a member of Soundgarden.
Early life
Shepherd was bo ...
presented the spin-off show ''
The Xtra Factor'' on
ITV2
ITV2 is a British free-to-air television channel owned by ITV Digital Channels, a division of ITV plc. It was launched on 7 December 1998. For a number of years, it had the largest audience share after the five analogue terrestrial stations, a ...
, while
Simon Cowell
Simon Phillip Cowell (; born 7 October 1959) is an English television personality, entrepreneur and record executive. He is the creator of ''The X Factor'' and ''Got Talent'' franchises which have been sold around the world. He has judged on t ...
,
Sharon Osbourne
Sharon Rachel Osbourne (née Levy, later Arden; born 9 October 1952) is a British-American television personality, music manager and author. She is married to heavy metal singer-songwriter Ozzy Osbourne and came to prominence while appearing ...
and Walsh returned as judges. 75,000 people auditioned for the series.
On the back of their performances and popularity in the competition, Ward (winner),
Andy Abraham
Andrew Abraham (born 17 July 1964) is a British singer. He was the runner-up in the second UK series of TV talent show ''The X Factor'' in 2005 to Shayne Ward, and also represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008.
Before ...
(runner-up),
Journey South
Journey South were an English singing duo, consisting of brothers Andy and Carl Pemberton. They are from Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire. Initially the brothers lead a five piece rock band 'The Answer' featuring musicians from the North East of ...
(third place) and
Maria Lawson
Maria Lawson (born 24 May 1979) is an English singer. She recorded several singles with Ti.Pi.Cal. Lawson finished in eighth place in the second UK series of television talent show ''The X Factor'' in 2005. She released her debut self-titled ...
(8th place) landed recording contracts.
Chico Slimani
Yousseph "Chico" Slimani (born 1971) is a British singer who rose to prominence in the United Kingdom after reaching the quarter-finals of the 2005 series of the talent show ''The X Factor''. In 2006, he had a number one hit on the British c ...
(5th place) also released a single which topped the
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...
.
Aired on 24 September 2005, the mentoring selection was made, with Cowell in charge of Groups, Osbourne with the 25 and overs and Walsh managing the 16–24s. The bootcamp stages were shown on 1 October 2005, and those who got through were taken to the "judges' homes".
Judges, presenters and other personnel
Simon Cowell
Simon Phillip Cowell (; born 7 October 1959) is an English television personality, entrepreneur and record executive. He is the creator of ''The X Factor'' and ''Got Talent'' franchises which have been sold around the world. He has judged on t ...
,
Sharon Osbourne
Sharon Rachel Osbourne (née Levy, later Arden; born 9 October 1952) is a British-American television personality, music manager and author. She is married to heavy metal singer-songwriter Ozzy Osbourne and came to prominence while appearing ...
and
Louis Walsh
Michael Louis Vincent Walsh (born 5 August 1952) is an Irish music manager and television personality. He has managed Johnny Logan, Boyzone, Jedward and Westlife, four of Ireland's most successful pop acts in the 1990s and 2000s. He later bec ...
returned as judges, quashing rumours that Osbourne and Walsh might not return for financial reasons.
Kate Thornton
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'' (2 ...
also returned as presenter of the main show on
ITV
ITV or iTV may refer to:
ITV
*Independent Television (ITV), a British television network, consisting of:
** ITV (TV network), a free-to-air national commercial television network covering the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islan ...
and
Ben Shephard
Benjamin Peter Sherrington Shephard (born 11 December 1974) is an English television presenter and journalist who is currently employed by ITV. He was a main presenter on the now defunct breakfast programme '' GMTV'' and since April 2014 has ...
returned as presenter of spin-off show ''
The Xtra Factor'' on
ITV2
ITV2 is a British free-to-air television channel owned by ITV Digital Channels, a division of ITV plc. It was launched on 7 December 1998. For a number of years, it had the largest audience share after the five analogue terrestrial stations, a ...
.
Yvie Burnett
Yvie Burnett (born 8 August 1963), is a Scottish mezzo-soprano and vocal coach, best known for her work with Simon Cowell on television shows ''The X Factor'' and ''Britain's Got Talent'', ''The Big Reunion'' ''The Voice UK'' and BBC's '' Let It ...
joined the show as vocal coach.
Selection process
The auditions episodes were broadcast on 20 August 27 August 3 September 10 September 17 and 24 September 2005. The first two episodes of Bootcamp aired on 1 October 2005 and the last two the following week on 8 October 2005.
;Bootcamp Tasks per
16-24s:
Location:
artsdepot
The artsdepot is a multi-purpose cultural centre located in North Finchley, in the London borough of Barnet. It was officially opened on 23 October 2004 for the enjoyment and development of the arts in North London.
Activities
The venue comp ...
Task 1 Songs:
* "
Unchained Melody
"Unchained Melody" is a 1955 song with music by Alex North and lyrics by Hy Zaret. North wrote the music as a theme for the prison film '' Unchained'' (1955), hence the song title. Todd Duncan sang the vocals for the film soundtrack.Robert Rodri ...
"
* "
Careless Whisper
"Careless Whisper" is a song written by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley. Released on the 1984 Wham! album ''Make It Big'', the single release was credited either to ''Wham! featuring George Michael'' (in North America and several other count ...
"
* "
To Love Somebody"
* "
From This Moment On"
* "
Beautiful
Beautiful, an adjective used to describe things as possessing beauty, may refer to:
Film and theater
* ''Beautiful'' (2000 film), an American film directed by Sally Field
* ''Beautiful'' (2008 film), a South Korean film directed by Juhn Jai-h ...
"
Task 2 Songs:
The 21 remaining contestants in the 16-24s category were divided into three groups of 7 with one song in each of the groups. Each contestant then performed their chosen song solo in front of Louis and his team. The songs were.
* "
I'll Be There"
* "
End of the Road"
* "
Always on My Mind"
Groups:
Location: An Manor House within the
Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the north west of South East England. It is a mainly rural county, with its largest settlement being the city of Oxford. The county is a centre of research and development, primarily ...
countryside.
Task 1: Perform both an uptempo and a slow song to show versatility.
Task 2: Learn one song of their choice within an hour and then perform it to Simon and his team.
Over 25s:
Location:
Café de Paris Café de Paris may refer to:
Establishments
*Café de Paris (London), a London nightclub
* Café de Paris, Chicago, a Chicago nightclub
* Café de Paris (restaurant), Geneva
* Café de Paris (Rome), a bar in Rome, Italy
* Café de Paris (Cubzac-les ...
Task 1: Perform a song of their choice to Sharon and the rest of the contestants.
Task 2: Choose a song from an list of five and learn it overnight to perform for a place in Judges Houses. The songs performed during this round were:
* "
Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me
"Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" is a song written by English musician Elton John and his lyricist Bernie Taupin. It was originally recorded by John for his eighth studio album, '' Caribou'' (1974), and was released as a single that peaked a ...
"
* "
I'm Gonna Make You Love Me
"I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" is a soul song most popularly released as a joint single performed by Diana Ross & the Supremes and The Temptations for the Motown label. This version peaked for two weeks at No. 2 on the Hot 100 in the United States, ...
"
* "
Walk on By"
* "
I Only Want to Be with You
"I Only Want to Be with You" is a song written by Mike Hawker and Ivor Raymonde. The debut solo single released by British singer Dusty Springfield under her long-time producer Johnny Franz, "I Only Want to Be with You" peaked at number 4 on th ...
"
* Last song Not mentioned
;Judges Houses Performances
* Contestant highlighted in bold advanced.
Over 25s:
* Maria: "
Since U Been Gone
"Since U Been Gone" is a song recorded by American singer Kelly Clarkson from her second studio album, '' Breakaway'' (2004). The song, which was written and produced by Max Martin and Lukasz "Dr. Luke" Gottwald, was released as the lead sing ...
"
* Richie: "
One"
* Haifa: "
(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher
"(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" is an R&B song written by Gary Jackson, Raynard Miner, and Carl Smith. It was recorded by Jackie Wilson for his album
'' Higher and Higher'' (1967), produced by Carl Davis, and became a Top 10 ...
"
* Andy: "
My Cherie Amour"
* Brenda: "
I Just Want to Make Love to You"
* Joanne: "
Right Here Waiting
"Right Here Waiting" is a song by American singer and songwriter Richard Marx. It was released on June 29, 1989, as the second single from his second album, ''Repeat Offender''. The song was a global hit, topping charts in many countries around ...
"
* Chico: "
Livin' la Vida Loca
"Livin' la Vida Loca" () is a song recorded by Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin for his fifth studio album and English-language debut, ''Ricky Martin'' (1999). The song was written by Draco Rosa and Desmond Child, while the production was handl ...
"
Groups:
* The Brothers: "
What Becomes of the Brokenhearted
"What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" is a hit single recorded by Jimmy Ruffin and released on Motown Records' Soul label in the summer of 1966. It is a ballad, with lead singer Jimmy Ruffin recalling the pain that befalls the broken-hearted who h ...
"
* 4Tune: "
I Don't Want to Talk About It
"I Don't Want to Talk About It" is a song written by American guitarist Danny Whitten. It was first recorded by American rock band Crazy Horse and issued as the final track on side one of their 1971 eponymous album. It was Whitten's signature ...
"
* 4th Base: "
Your Song
"Your Song" is a song written by English musician Elton John and songwriter Bernie Taupin, and performed by John. It was John's first international Top 10 chart single.
"Your Song" was first released by American rock band Three Dog Night in M ...
"
* The Conway Sisters: "
You Raise Me Up
"You Raise Me Up" is a song originally composed by the Norwegian-Irish duo Secret Garden. The music was written by Secret Garden's Rolf Løvland, and the lyrics by Brendan Graham. After the song was performed early in 2002 by the Secret Garden a ...
"
* Eskimo Blonde: "
Total Eclipse of the Heart
"Total Eclipse of the Heart" is a song recorded by Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler. It was written and produced by Jim Steinman, and released on Tyler's fifth studio album, ''Faster Than the Speed of Night'' (1983). The song was released as a single b ...
"
* Journey South: "
Desperado
Desperado may refer to:
* Outlaw, particularly in the American Old West
Books
* ''Desperadoes'' (comics), a comic book series
* ''Desperadoes'' (novel), a 1979 novel by Ron Hansen
* Desperado Publishing, an American independent comic book publ ...
"
* Addictiv Ladies: "
Wishing on a Star
"Wishing on a Star" is a slow ballad written by former The Undisputed Truth member Billie Rae Calvin and produced by Norman Whitfield. The song was originally offered to Barbra Streisand for her album project but later declined. It was first ...
"
16-24s
* Shayne: "
The Air That I Breathe
"The Air That I Breathe" is a ballad written by British-Gibraltarian singer-songwriter Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood, initially recorded by Hammond on his debut album, ''It Never Rains in Southern California'' (1972). It was a major hit for t ...
"
* James: "
Lately"
* Alexandra: "
Almaz
The Almaz (russian: Алмаз, lit=Diamond) program was a highly secret Soviet military space station program, begun in the early 1960s.
Three crewed military reconnaissance stations were launched between 1973 and 1976: Salyut 2, Salyut 3 an ...
"
* Chenai: "
I'm Still Waiting"
* Phillip: "
Don't Forget to Remember
"Don't Forget to Remember" also called "Don't Forget to Remember Me" is a country ballad recorded by the Bee Gees, from the album '' Cucumber Castle''. The song was written by Barry and Maurice Gibb. It was produced by the band with Robert Stig ...
"
* Nicholas: "
You Make Me Feel Brand New
"You Make Me Feel Brand New" is a 1974 single by the Philadelphia soul group The Stylistics. An R&B ballad, the song was written by Thom Bell and Linda Creed.
Background
Stylistics tenor Airrion Love starts out the song and then alternates with ...
"
* Trevor: "
This Is the Moment"
Acts
Key:
: – Winner
: – Runner-up
Live shows
The live shows began on 15 October 2005, and the final was broadcast live on 17 December 2005.
Results summary
;Colour key
Act in team Simon
Act in team Sharon
Act in team Louis
For the only time in ''The X Factor'' history, a judge made an unforced decision to eliminate one of their own acts over another judge's act.
Walsh was not required to vote as there was a majority.
In Lawson's 2008 autobiography, ''Life Starts Now'', she revealed she had topped the vote the week before her elimination.
According to voting figures published in the ''Sunday Mirror'', Lawson turned out to have received twice as many public votes as the Conway Sisters.
Some of the voting results were also published in the same edition of the ''Sunday Mirror'', the full voting results of the sixth week, Dorsett turned out to have topped the fifth week, Abraham topped the first, third and sixth weeks and Ward topped the second week.
Live show details
Week 1 (15 October)
* Best bits song: "
That's What Friends Are For
"That's What Friends Are For" is a song written by Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager.
It was first recorded in 1982 by Rod Stewart for the soundtrack of the film '' Night Shift'', but it is better known for the 1985 cover version by Dionn ...
"
;Judges' votes to eliminate:
* Cowell: Chico Slimani – said that the judges had to pick the real talent over a "joke act", effectively backing his own act, Addictiv Ladies.
* Osbourne: Addictiv Ladies – backed her own act, Chico Slimani, whose performance she said was more exciting.
* Walsh: Addictiv Ladies – said that Slimani had the all-round entertainment package.
Week 2 (22 October)
* Best bits song: "
You Are Not Alone
"You Are Not Alone" is a song by American singer Michael Jackson from his ninth studio album, '' HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I'' (1995). It was released on August 15, 1995, as the second single from the album.
An R&B ballad, "You ...
"
;Judges' votes to eliminate:
* Cowell: Chenai Zinyuku – gave no reason, though effectively backed his own act, 4Tune.
* Walsh: 4Tune – gave no reason, though effectively backed his own act, Chenai Zinyuku.
* Osbourne: 4Tune – said that Zinyuku had a better chance of selling records.
Week 3 (29 October)
* Best bits song: "
Amazed
"Amazed" is a song by American country music group Lonestar, released on March 22, 1999, for country radio as the second single from their third studio album ''Lonely Grill'' (1999). The power ballad is the band's longest-lasting number one sing ...
"
;Judges' votes to eliminate:
* Osbourne: Phillip Magee – gave no reason, though effectively backed her own act, Chico Slimani.
* Walsh: Chico Slimani – gave no reason, though effectively backed his own act, Phillip Magee.
* Cowell: Phillip Magee – said that he was gradually getting used to Slimani's "entertainment factor".
Week 4 (5 November)
* Best bits song: "
Wishing on a Star
"Wishing on a Star" is a slow ballad written by former The Undisputed Truth member Billie Rae Calvin and produced by Norman Whitfield. The song was originally offered to Barbra Streisand for her album project but later declined. It was first ...
"
;Judges' votes to eliminate:
* Osbourne: Nicholas Dorsett – said that Zinyku deserved her place in the competition more.
* Cowell: Chenai Zinyuku – said that Dorsett had not been in the bottom two previously and deserved a second chance.
* Walsh: Chenai Zinyuku – said that it was a tough decision to choose between his own acts.
Week 5 (12 November)
* Best bits song: "
Didn't We Almost Have It All
"Didn't We Almost Have It All" is a song recorded by American singer Whitney Houston for her second studio album, ''Whitney'' (1987). The song was written by Michael Masser and Will Jennings and produced by Masser. Initially, Houston's cover vers ...
"
;Judges' votes to eliminate:
* Osbourne: The Conway Sisters – gave no reason, though effectively backed her own act, Maria Lawson.
* Cowell: Maria Lawson – gave no reason, though effectively backed his own act, The Conway Sisters.
* Walsh: Maria Lawson – went with his heart.
Walsh's decision to eliminate Lawson caused controversy when Osbourne accused Walsh of being part of the "Irish Mafia", since both he and The Conway Sisters are Irish. Cowell, though backed his own act to eliminate Lawson, said that if he had to go with his heart, he would have sent his own act home. He felt they would not have a chance to win, and that Lawson had more talent and her elimination would be the first one that the public would disagree with.
However, voting statistics revealed that Lawson received more votes than The Conway Sisters which meant that if the result went to deadlock, The Conway Sisters would have been eliminated.
Week 6 (19 November)
* Best bits song: "
End of the Road"
;Judges' votes to eliminate:
* Walsh: The Conway Sisters – gave no reason, though effectively backed his own act, Nicholas Dorsett.
* Cowell: Nicholas Dorsett – backed his own act, The Conway Sisters.
* Osbourne: Nicholas Dorsett – gave no reason.
However, voting statistics revealed that Dorsett received more votes than The Conway Sisters which meant that if the result went to deadlock, The Conway Sisters would have been eliminated.
Week 7 (26 November)
* Best bits song: "
You Raise Me Up
"You Raise Me Up" is a song originally composed by the Norwegian-Irish duo Secret Garden. The music was written by Secret Garden's Rolf Løvland, and the lyrics by Brendan Graham. After the song was performed early in 2002 by the Secret Garden a ...
"
;Judges' votes to eliminate:
* Osbourne: The Conway Sisters – gave no reason, though effectively backed her own act, Chico Slimani.
* Cowell: The Conway Sisters – said that both acts deserved to be in the bottom two, but felt Slimani had an entertainment value and voted to eliminate The Conway Sisters despite them being his own act. This became the first time ever in the history of the show that a mentor decided to eliminate his own act over the act from another category.
* Walsh was not required to vote as there was already a majority.
Week 8: Quarter-Final (3 December)
* Best bits song: "
Hero
A hero (feminine: heroine) is a real person or a main fictional character who, in the face of danger, combats adversity through feats of ingenuity, courage, or Physical strength, strength. Like other formerly gender-specific terms (like ...
"
The quarter-final did not feature a final showdown and instead the act with the fewest public votes, Chico Slimani, was automatically eliminated. After his elimination, Slimani reprised his performance of "Time Warp" as his exit song.
Week 9: Semi-Final (10 December)
* Best bits song: "
Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me
"Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" is a song written by English musician Elton John and his lyricist Bernie Taupin. It was originally recorded by John for his eighth studio album, '' Caribou'' (1974), and was released as a single that peaked a ...
"
The semi-final did not feature a final showdown and instead the act with the fewest public votes, Brenda Edwards, was automatically eliminated. After her elimination, Edwards reprised her performance of "Without You" as her exit song.
Week 10: Final (17 December)
*Themes: No theme; Christmas songs; song of the series; winner's single
*Musical guest: ''The X Factor'' rejex ("
My Way
"My Way" is a song popularized in 1969 by Frank Sinatra set to the music of the French song "Comme d'habitude" composed by Jacques Revaux with lyrics by Gilles Thibaut and Claude François and first performed in 1967 by Claude François. Its E ...
")
* Finalists Best bits songs: "
One", "
Greatest Love of All
"The Greatest Love of All" is a song written by Michael Masser, who composed the music, and Linda Creed, who wrote the lyrics. It was originally recorded in 1977 by George Benson, who made the song a substantial hit, peaking at number two on the ...
" & "
Your Song
"Your Song" is a song written by English musician Elton John and songwriter Bernie Taupin, and performed by John. It was John's first international Top 10 chart single.
"Your Song" was first released by American rock band Three Dog Night in M ...
"
Reception
Ratings
Controversies
Elimination of Maria Lawson and "Irish Mafia"
After the final showdown in week 5, controversy was created around the judges' voting process when Walsh cast the deciding vote to keep The Conway Sisters, who are Irish, in the show at the expense of Maria Lawson. Osbourne later claimed that Lawson was the victim of the "Irish Mafia" after Walsh chose to keep The Conway Sisters in. When the voting statistics were revealed at the end of the series, Lawson was revealed to have received twice as many public votes as The Conway Sisters. Osbourne's "Irish Mafia" remark resulted in an investigation by media regulator
Ofcom
The Office of Communications, commonly known as Ofcom, is the government-approved regulatory and competition authority for the broadcasting, telecommunications and postal industries of the United Kingdom.
Ofcom has wide-ranging powers acros ...
over Osbourne's "Irish Mafia" remark, however on 9 January 2006, Ofcom cleared Osbourne of any wrongdoing.
Louis Walsh
Rumours later circulated that Walsh had quit the show after being humiliated and "bullied" by Osbourne and Cowell. In addition to the media outrage at his choice to eliminate Lawson, there were verbal assaults. Furthermore, on 19 November, during the sixth live show of the series, Osbourne threw water over Walsh live on air after he asked her, "Are you on drugs? Are you taking
Ozzy's drugs?" at the start of her (positive) critique of Journey South's performance of
Robbie Williams
Robert Peter Williams (born 13 February 1974) is an English singer and songwriter. He found fame as a member of the pop group Take That from 1990 to 1995, and achieved commercial success after launching a solo career in 1996. His debut stud ...
' 1997 hit single "
Angels
In various theistic religious traditions an angel is a supernatural spiritual being who serves God.
Abrahamic religions often depict angels as benevolent celestial intermediaries between God (or Heaven) and humanity. Other roles incl ...
". Cowell apparently "begged" Walsh to come back and, in the event, Walsh did turn up for the next show; it was stated that he had indeed quit midweek but had been persuaded to return. He explained how he had felt he could not take the pressure any more, and denied that the episode was a publicity stunt.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:X Factor British series 2
02
2005 British television seasons
2005 in British television
2005 in British music
United Kingdom 02