Throng

Saturday, 11 September 2010, 7:45PM - 9:00PM on ITV1

Show Four: Auditions continue.

Follow us on twitter @itvpresscentre and @thexfactor for more updates.

This year, a series of guest judges will join Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and Cheryl Cole as they audition thousands of hopefuls at arenas across the country in front of a live audience. Dannii Minogue will return to her judging duties at the Judges’ Houses stage of the competition.

Joining Simon, Louis and Cheryl at the auditions will be Geri Halliwell (Glasgow), Natalie Imbruglia (Birmingham), Pixie Lott (Cardiff), Katy Perry (Dublin) and Nicole Scherzinger (Manchester and Bootcamp).

Dermot O’Leary returns as host and will be on hand to celebrate with the successful acts and commiserate with those who don’t get through the various stages. Konnie Huq joins as the new host of The Xtra Factor on ITV2.

Saturday, 4 September 2010, 7:30PM - 8:45PM on ITV1

Show Three: Auditions continue.

Follow us on twitter @itvpresscentre and @thexfactor for more updates.

This year, a series of guest judges will join Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and Cheryl Cole as they audition thousands of hopefuls at arenas across the country in front of a live audience. Dannii Minogue will return to her judging duties at the Judges’ Houses stage of the competition.

Joining Simon, Louis and Cheryl at the auditions will be Geri Halliwell (Glasgow), Natalie Imbruglia (Birmingham), Pixie Lott (Cardiff), Katy Perry (Dublin) and Nicole Scherzinger (Manchester and Bootcamp).

Dermot O’Leary returns as host and will be on hand to celebrate with the successful acts and commiserate with those who don’t get through the various stages. Konnie Huq joins as the new host of The Xtra Factor on ITV2.

Abrams developing Alcatraz series

J.J. Abrams is currently developing a new drama series based around the infamous prison island Alcatraz. Abrams will team up with a former Lost producer on the project who will also write the pilot episode.

Strictly not to clash with X Factor

The Strictly Come Dancing launch show will not clash with ITV’s The X Factor like it did last year, with the BBC scheduling it for 6.25pm on BBC One. A smart move considering Strictly lost out in the ratings to The X Factor last year when they screened at the same time.

X Factor 2010 News & Gossip Round Up

It’s being reported today that guest judge Katy Perry has been offered the role of full-time judge on the US X Factor panel.

The Daily Mirror reports that Katy has been offered a contract with the show that’ll land her around $340,000 per week.

A show insider told the paper, "Simon [Cowell] wants to get the judging names signed, sealed and announced within six weeks.

“He wants at least one massive American star, someone who is known globally, plus one Brit and at least one authoritative male.

"Katy was thrilled, especially by the package which is said to be a $340,000-a-show deal."

And it seems that Simon’s keen to secure more “big names” from the music industry for the judging panel.

As Simon Cowell slams Strictly Come Dancing, saying it should be on television earlier in the afternoon for its older viewers, the BBC have confirmed that the launch of the dancing show will not compete with The X Factor in the same time slot.

Strictly Come Dancing lost out in the ratings war last year and it looks like they want to save themselves the embarrassment this year.

The launch of the eighth series of the ballroom dancing show will be screened on September 11 and will feature its first ever red carpet event where partners will meet each other for the first time.

Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly will reveal which celebrities will be taking part as well as who they will be partnered with in a one hour special at 6.25pm on BBC.  The X Factor's latest auditions show will not start until 7.45pm.

X Factor 2010: Simon says “prostitute” will not be axed from the show, plus Alex Burke a “diva”?

A report in The Sun recently claimed that an X Factor hopeful, Chloe Mafia, was working as a “£160 per hour prostitute” but Simon Cowell says that she won’t necessarily be axed from the show.

After the report surfaced, it seems that some viewers suggested Chloe – who’s audition hasn’t yet been aired – should be dropped by the show…

However, Simon told the paper that as long as Chloe “isn’t working” while she’s on the X Factor, it shouldn’t make any difference to her staying in the contest.

He said, "We haven't banned prostitutes. I think you'd want to show the story if we're allowed.

“I want to see the story.

"We can't just take people off the show because they might do something that upsets some people.

An early frontrunner has been marked by bookies to take out The X Factor this season.

Mary Byrne has been installed as favourite to win the ITV reality show after impressing the judges on last Saturday’s audition episode with her rendition of I Who Have Nothing.

The supermarket checkout worker has odds of 6/1 at Paddy Power while young Gamu Nhengu is second at 8/1.

Other X Factor contestants from the second audition tipped to go far include The Reason, Husstle, Matt Cardle and Annastasia Baker.

X Factor 2010: Simon Cowell said to be “furious” at contestants’ behaviour

A report in the Daily Mirror today claims that Simon Cowell is “furious” with some of the X Factor contestants for “partying” in the villa he’d hired, and for ruining several items of furniture.

Simon took the contestants to the villa in Marbella as part of the Judges Houses round, at a whopping cost of £15,000 per night.

But it seems that on Sunday, the hopefuls got “carried away in the 20 bed villa – largely by the copious amounts of booze they found – and caused damage to antique furniture and a rug.

A show insider told the paper, "Cowell was far from impressed…

“He certainly won't be holding back on the harsh comments.

Returning X Factor contestant Annastasia Baker claims that she is strong enough to last this time around on the ITV reality show.

Baker first appeared on the show during the 2008 competition where she made it as far as the Judges’ Houses stage before being let go by Cheryl Cole.

The 21-year-old broke down during that competition and later attributed it to post-natal depression, but says now she is strong enough to handle the stress the show brings.

"I was at breaking point then but I'm happier than ever now and I can cope with the pressure of the show," she said.

"I'm nervous after what happened last time. But what doesn't kill you can only make you stronger."

The South East Londoner also waved off similarities to fellow contestant Shirlena Johnson who was axed from the show last week when mental health issues surfaced.

X Factor 2010: News & Gossip Round Up

It’s being reported today that Simon Cowell has enraged the father of X Factor hopeful Annastasia Baker…

In Saturday’s show, we saw Annastasia – who has tried out for the show before, but was eliminated in the Judges House round – begin to sing Proud Mary before being told to stop by Simon…

He then told her that he’s "seen trannies do better versions” of the track.

And despite the fact that Annastasia was put through to Boot Camp, her dad Ian Baker told the Daily Mirror how Simon’s words has angered him.

He told the paper, "Simon used some harsh words. I don't think what was said was fair.

"Annastasia spent a lot of money on her image and had poured time and effort into it.

Last week The X Factor returned. Tonight the auditions hit Dublin with Katy Perry! The search has come to the emerald isle for the first time in four years. Louis Walsh wants an Irish winner this year, but of course he would!

First up is Temple Fire. Now, you can never tell if an act is going to be any good before they actually sing. All the talking it up and anticipation and then… they open their mouths to sing Wake Me Up and it's horrific. What a build up for such a flat finish. Simon tell Louis he's holding him responsible. Katy is hoping it's going to get better. You're not the only one, sweetheart!

Saturday, 28 August 2010, 7:30PM - 8:45PM on ITV1

Show Two: Auditions continue

This year, a series of guest judges will join Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and Cheryl Cole as they audition thousands of hopefuls at arenas across the country in front of a live audience. Dannii Minogue will return to her judging duties at the Judges’ Houses stage of the competition.

Joining Simon, Louis and Cheryl at the auditions will be Geri Halliwell (Glasgow), Natalie Imbruglia (Birmingham), Pixie Lott (Cardiff), Katy Perry (Dublin) and Nicole Scherzinger (Manchester and Bootcamp).

Dermot O’Leary returns as host and will be on hand to celebrate with the successful acts and commiserate with those who don’t get through the various stages. Konnie Huq joins as the new host of The Xtra Factor on ITV2.

X Factor 2010: Punch up at the auditions tonight!

It’s being reported by the Daily Mirror that two friends who auditioned for the show ended up having a punch up fight on stage!

They got into an argument after receiving criticism from Simon, and after one of the pair made fun of the other by saying she fancied Louis Walsh.

The duo, Abbey Johnston and Lisa Parker, attended the Birmingham round of the auditions, and after their fight, Abbey told the paper, "Lisa’s a liar, it’s all her fault…

“If it wasn’t for me, she would never have been allowed on stage to even see Simon.

“It's sad, but stuff happens."

Lisa, meanwhile, said, "I think Abbey only hit me once, but then a security guard grabbed her and another one pushed me against the wall so I couldn't get to her.

Michael Cera developing comedy series 

Michael Cera is developing a new comedy series called 13th Grade which will centre on a high school graduate who is stuck in limbo between childhood and adulthood. Cera will work with Derek Waters on the show, who has previously been seen on The Middle and The Sarah Silverman Programme.

MacIntyre finishing on London Tonight

Donal MacIntyre is reportedly finishing up on London Tonight after less than six months in the role. The Guardian is reporting that MacIntyre will quit his presenting role on the ITV 1 programme with his final show on September 17.

X Factor contestant Katie Waissel said she is confident the show will not drop her despite revelations that she already has a record deal.

The 24-year-old, who belted out an impressive rendition of Etta James’s At last on last weekend’s show, is reported to be holding a recording contract in the US under which she has already released an album under the name Lola Fontaine.

An X Factor spokesman had this to say: "We are looking at the contractual situation. An existing contract is a breach of rules. We will look at the facts before making a decision."

No entrant can stay in the competition if they are already signed to a record company.