Last year, a new star was born as Leona Lewis took the X Factor title. Then, everything changed. Simon Cowell axed Louis Walsh. Simon believes that X Factor doesn't need Louis Walsh and that it will be the most talked about show of the year.

The UK's talent search just got bigger. More people than ever before have entered. The age has been lowered to 14 and there are now 4 categories. Boys aged 14 - 24. Girls aged 14-24. The over 25's. And the groups. It's all about a £1,000,000 record contract and ultimately having the Christmas #1.

There are four judges this year that need to be won over though. Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne, Australian artist Dannii Minogue and choreographer Brian Freidman.

The next chapter of X Factor is about to begin. It's all a disaster up until W4 arrive. Rachel, Linzi, Krystal, Enrica, and Leigh make up the group and each wear a flag from the different parts of the country they are from. They say they're a modern version of the spice girls. They sing Bryan Adam's Heaven. Simon wasn't into them at all and thought they were unoriginal but Sharon, Dannii and Brian put them through to the boot camp. They're the first of many groups to make it through to the next round.

Brother and sister Sarah and Sean have a duet called Same Difference. They sing the Friends theme but Simon wants them to lose the crazy faces. Brian says they're so annoying. Simon thinks they're two of the most annoying people he's ever met. He says yes along with Sharon which means they're off to boot camp as well.

The first 14 year old is Emily from London. She is fantastic for someone so young. She's ready and incredible as she sings Almaz. Brian thanks her for not trying to look older than she needed to. They are smitten by her. Four yeses and she's through. The judges all think that she's a star.

Day two comes around and Sharon and Simon aren't liking things. They're both feeling that there is no connection with the new judges. An executive decision is made and Brian wont be judging any further. He's going to stay on as creative director but coming back to full the fourth judging spot is Louie Walsh. It's a cheerful reunion as they all get together for the Manchester auditions.

79 year old Joy from Kent plays invisible instruments and somehow manages to convince the judges that she should go to boot camp. Simon is so surprized at the weird decision.

32 year old Jules is a dinner lady who works at a primary school and really wants to be a singer. She sings Let's Give Them Something to Talk About. Louis says no but everyone else says yes despite the fact that she's a little nervous.

There are some great auditions and some more great performers going through to the boot camp.

Nicky Evans is the final contestant to audition. She is only there because her dad had filled out an application form for her and she never found out until after he had died. She sings some Whitney Houston and it's a very emotional version of I will Always Love You. The judges think she's a fantastic singer and was an effortless audition. She sails through and it's an emotional triumph to be heading to boot camp.