Liberty X - 'Popstars' (2001)(01 of14)
Open Image ModalTalk about making the most of a bad situation, the five solo singers who failed to make it into the pop group on 'Popstars' decided to cut their losses and form their own group.
While eventual winners Hear'Say only lasted a year, Liberty X had a much more lucrative pop career, racking up an impressive eight top 10 singles over four years, including the chart-topper 'Just A Little'. (credit:MJ Kim via Getty Images)
Adam Lambert - 'American Idol' (2009)(02 of14)
Open Image ModalAnd speaking about runners-up overshadowing the success of a show's winner, look no further than former 'American Idol' singer Adam Lambert.
Now three albums into his career, he's toured with Queen, been hailed as a 21st century LGBT+ icon and even broken into acting. (credit:John Phillips via Getty Images)
Olly Murs - 'The X Factor' (2009)(03 of14)
Open Image ModalCloser to home, Olly Murs has gone on to become one of the most successful 'X Factor' contestants of all time since his time on the show, even briefly serving as its co-host, alongside Caroline Flack.
Not bad going, considering he didn't even win it. (credit:Barcroft Media via Getty Images)
Susanna Reid - 'Strictly Come Dancing' (2013)(04 of14)
Open Image ModalJust months after Susanna's profile got a shot in the arm on 'Strictly', she was chosen to front a reboot of ITV's 'Good Morning Britain'.
For her new job, she left her post on 'BBC Breakfast', which she'd held for more than a decade. (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
Susan Boyle - 'Britain's Got Talent' (2009)(05 of14)
Open Image ModalDespite being a celebrity all over the world by the time the 'BGT' final rolled around, Susan finished in second place to dance troupe Diversity, which she's since admitted she was "gutted" about.
What she didn't realise was that this was just the beginning of her journey as a musical star, and in 2017 she's got an impressive seven albums under her belt, she's performed with her musical idols and even been nominated for two Grammys. (credit:Doug Gifford via Getty Images)
Danny Mac - 'Strictly Come Dancing' (2016)(06 of14)
Open Image ModalDanny wasted no time in capitalising on his time on 'Strictly', and announced days after the 2016 live final that he was to star in a new musical production of 'Sleepless In Seattle'. (credit:Chris Jackson via Getty Images)
Kerry Katona - 'Celebrity Big Brother' (2011)(07 of14)
Open Image ModalShortly after her time in the 'CBB' house, Kerry did something we never thought she'd be able to do again... and actually managed to surprise us!
The aforementioned surprise came when she announced she was returning to her first love of singing, and rejoining her Atomic Kitten bandmates as part of ITV2's 'The Big Reunion'. (credit:Simon Burchell via Getty Images)
Mark Wright - 'I'm A Celebrity' (2011)(08 of14)
Open Image ModalMark was a man on a mission when he entered the 'I'm A Celebrity' jungle in 2011, fresh from quitting 'The Only Way Is Essex', determined to leave his reputation as a badboy in the past.
He was actually successful, and since finishing in second place, he's been able to re-invent himself as a legitimate TV personality, with his past rows with ex-fiancée Lauren Goodger and 'TOWIE' history often overlooked in favour of his presenting efforts. (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
JLS - 'The X Factor' (2008)(09 of14)
Open Image ModalLet's be honest, JLS didn't stand a chance in the 2008 'X Factor' final, largely thanks to an appearance from underground indie artist, Beyoncé.
Still, interest in them remained long after the show, and they went on to scoop an impressive five number one singles, including their debut 'Beat Again', a first for an 'X Factor' boyband. (credit:Samir Hussein via Getty Images)
Myleene Klass - 'I'm A Celebrity' (2006)(10 of14)
Open Image ModalFive years after topping the charts as a member of Hear'Say, Myleene's public profile was in a bit of a lull, it's fair to say.
One relentlessly positive outlook (and one white bikini) later, and Myleene managed to make it through to the final, and carved a new career for herself as a TV presenter. (credit:Danny Martindale via Getty Images)
Rebecca Ferguson - 'The X Factor' (2010)(11 of14)
Open Image ModalTrue, Rebecca has never quite managed the chart success of 'X Factor' acts like Olly Murs, Leona Lewis or One Direction, who finished in third place the same year she was runner-up.
Still, she's succeeded where so few before her (or since) have been able to, and actually had critical acclaim for her musical output, forcing people to rethink the way they look at talent show acts. (credit:Luca Teuchmann via Getty Images)
Adore Delano - 'RuPaul's Drag Race' (2014)(12 of14)
Open Image ModalFew would contest that Bianca Del Rio was the worthy winner of season six of 'Drag Race', but Adore still did her best to capitalise on her position as runner-up, releasing her debut album 'Till Death Do Us Party' almost immediately after the final. (credit:Araya Diaz via Getty Images)
Jack Carroll - 'Britain's Got Talent' (2013)(13 of14)
Open Image ModalFew comedians have managed to make a name for themselves after 'BGT', and even fewer have done it before the age of 18.
Even so, when he was still just a teenager, Jack was cast as a new character in the hit Sky1 comedy 'Trollied', and is still working on his stand-up career. (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
Saara Aalto - 'The X Factor' (2016)(14 of14)
Open Image ModalAfter 'X Factor', Saara competed in the Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of her native Finland, and later made it all the way to the final on 'Dancing On Ice'. (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)