2015 heralds a year of change for 'The X Factor', with a new hosting line-up, a refreshed judging panel and some big format switch-ups, but how is the overhaul working out?
As auditions drew to a close this week, HuffPost UK headed down to Wembley Arena to find out for ourselves, and here's the five most surprising things we learned...
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X Factor Auditions: What We Learned
Nick Grimshaw is the real revelation(01 of05)
It’s fair to say reaction was mixed when Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw was announced as one of the new additions to ‘X Factor’ panel last month, so the brash northerner had a lot to prove when auditions kicked off. However, if what we saw was anything to go by, Grimmy could end up being the star of this year’s series. Not only his does quick wit and irreverent humour bring something different to the judging table, his critiques are actually some of the best. Grimmy proved he wasn’t afraid to say no to some of the acts the other judges were torn over, and while he’s not a singer. and doesn't work for a record label, he offers an interesting insight into another side of the music industry. While we didn't get to see him and Rita Ora in action together, he’s already developed a bromance with Simon Cowell, using it to taunt Cheryl Fernandez-Versini. (credit:Jordan/WENN.com)
Caroline and Olly bring some much needed fun to proceedings(02 of05)
While Dermot O’Leary was a much-loved piece of the ‘X Factor’ furniture, it was time for him to move on, and from the small glimpses we caught of Caroline Flack and Olly Murs in action, we won’t be longing for his return. The dynamic duo bring a massive dose of fun to proceedings, and throughout most of the evening, we could see them side of stage, dancing, singing along, and flirting up a storm. It’s clear to see why Simon Cowell opted to hire a duo for the role, as much like Ant and Dec on ‘Britain’s Got Talent’, it seems they’ll be doing a lot more than dishing out hugs to emotional friends and family. (credit:WENN.com)
The spark between Simon and Cheryl is back(03 of05)
Following the sad news of Simon’s mother’s death, the judges could have been forgiven for letting him have it easy on the panel. But Cheryl Fernandez-Versini was having none of that, regularly dishing it out to her boss, as the pair played up to their reputation as ‘frenemies’. “Cheryl likes to call herself the People’s Princess,” Simon joked at one point. “Would you just shut your pie hole?” she spat back. Another incident saw Simon calling out the former Girls Aloud singer out for being overpaid and not offering enough critique to contestants. “That’s what you’re paid £23m each year to judge this show? To say that?” he said in response to one of her lazier comments. (credit:WENN.com)
Louis Walsh seems like a distant memory(04 of05)
When Louis Walsh announced he wasn’t returning to the show after a marathon 11 years, we’ll be honest, we didn’t think the show could survive without him - just look at the last time they tried (soz, Brian Friedman). But the Irish music manager’s reign of ridiculousness on the panel seemed a distant memory as we watched the show in action, as there were no cliched cries of “you look like a popstar and you sing like a popstar” - unless you count Grimmy doing impressions of his predecessor. Louis wasn’t far from Simon’s mind, however, as his so-called pal used his name make a joke when one contestant told of experience with a rubbish manager. “Was your manager Louis Walsh?” Si quipped. Ouch. (credit:Peter Byrne/PA Archive)
Should they have kept the room auditions?(05 of05)
The arenas are great and all, but we couldn’t help but feel Simon made a hasty decision when he decided to axe the room auditions. Our audition session started way past 9pm, meaning that many members of the crowd were forced to leave early to get transport home. Therefore, there were rows upon rows of empty seats by the time filming wrapped at ten past midnight, which could prove a headache for producers to try and cover up in the edit. Simon famously starts his working day at around 2pm due to his insomnia, so if he wants that lie in, may be he should have kept the rooms to not risk the crowd looking embarrassingly empty on-screen? (credit:HuffPost UK)
'X Factor' 2015 Auditions: London
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