There have been some last-minute changes to this weekend’s first round of ‘X Factor’ live shows, with not one but two acts changing their song choice at the eleventh hour.
From Simon Cowell’s girls category, Emily Middlemas announced on Friday (8 September) that she was switching her song, just a day before the first live show.
After previously being revealed to be performing Britney Spears’ ‘Toxic’, the teenage hopeful revealed she had a change of heart because she felt the song was “dated”.
Meanwhile, Freddy Parker’s mentor, Nicole Scherzinger, also had a 180 on his song choice, as she felt it didn’t represent him well enough as an artist.
He said: “Even though I was happy with the song and I was really up for performing it - it’s a really uplifting positive song and I did feel like I could connect with the audience - I agree with Nicole. I don’t think it expressed me the best so I am happy with changing it.”
In a year that saw Sam Bailey and Nicholas McDonald competing in the live final, it was Tamera Foster and Sam Callahan's relationship that had people talking outside of the show.
It was reported the couple split a year later, so she could focus on her career, after being signed to Simon Cowell's label.
Here they are looking far cooler than two people who met on 'The X Factor' have a right to, frankly. (credit:Mark Robert Milan via Getty Images)
Chloe Jasmine and Stevi Ritchie(02 of08)
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When Chloe and Stevi were first rumoured to have got together while they were still on 'The X Factor', we assumed it was completely fabricated... but it turns out they really were an item.
After a turbulent start, the two later got engaged, and entered the 'Celebrity Big Brother' house together in summer 2015.
However, they split a year later. (credit:Stuart C. Wilson via Getty Images)
Zayn Malik and Geneva Lane(03 of08)
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Before One Direction were the biggest pop group on the planet, they were one of 16 acts who made it through to the 'X Factor' live shows in 2010, alongside future hitmakers John Adeleye, Nicolo Festa, Storm Lee and Treyc Cohen.
Competing directly against 1D in the groups category was Belle Amie, with band member Geneva Lane taking a shine to Zayn. (credit:Ken McKayREXShutterstock)
Zayn Malik and Rebecca Ferguson(04 of08)
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Zayn and Geneva didn't work out, but once the series was over, it emerged that he had begun dating runner-up Rebecca Ferguson (who was seven years his senior, but who's counting).
Eventually, though they ended things, with both of them having nothing but good things to say about the other. (credit:Ken McKayTalkback ThamesRexShutterstock)
Zayn Malik and Perrie Edwards(05 of08)
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That's not the end of Zayn's 'X Factor' love story, though. Once he'd split from Rebecca, 1D appeared as musical guests on the ITV show, the same series that Little Mix were competing.
Zayn immediately took a shine to singer Perrie Edwards, and it wasn't long before they were rumoured to be dating, and later announced their engagement.
In summer 2015, though, it was reported they'd gone their separate ways, with Perrie now linked to Luke Pasqualino and Zayn constantly photographed with new girlfriend Gigi Hadid. (credit:BerettaSimsREXShutterstock)
Frankie Cocozza and Amelia Lily(06 of08)
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Frankie and Amelia were thought to have had a brief dalliance during their series of 'The X Factor', with conflicting reports about what had gone on between them.
Although Amelia never addressed it, she told reporters once the dust had settled: "It's Frankie, let's be honest... he's not boyfriend material."
Ouch. (credit:BerettaSimsREXShutterstock)
Caroline Flack and Harry Styles(07 of08)
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Can you believe this actually happened? Because it actually happened. (credit:Twitter)
Dannii Minogue and Simon Cowell(08 of08)
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Yes, it's not just the contestants who've found romance on 'The X Factor'.
It emerged years after Dannii Minogue stepped down from the judging panel that she'd had a brief affair with the music mogul, which was exposed in a biography of his life by Tim Bowers. (credit:Ken McKayTalkbackThamesREXShutterstock)