The stars taking part in the upcoming celebrity version of X Factor have been teased in a new trailer.
After falling ratings and several technical hitches affected last year’s run, Simon Cowell confirmed that there would be no regular series of the ITV talent in 2019, instead revealing plans for a celebrity version, as well as an all-stars competition which would see former contestants returning to the show.
A trailer for the former has now been unveiled, teasing the identities of the stars that will be taking part, and while none of them are officially confirmed, it doesn’t take much guess work to decipher who is on the line-up (particularly given how many of them have already been rumoured).
Among those that appear in the trailer are The Chase’s Jenny Ryan, chat show host Ricki Lake and a group of former Love Island stars made up of Wes Nelson, Zara McDermott, Samira Mighty and Eyal Booker.
In the trailer, they’re referred to only as “the quiz champion”, “the talk show host” and “the Islanders”, respectively.
Meanwhile, the trailer also appears to confirm a Jeremy Edwards-Brendan Cole duo (dubbed “the pro-dancer and actor”), and there are very few people “the footballing legend and actor” could refer to besides the already-rumoured Vinnie Jones.
Love Actually star Olivia Olson and Glee’s Kevin McHale are also teased, as are a new group made of rugby players.
There are a few of surprises in the mix as well, though.
A contestant dubbed “the reality TV star” appears to hint at TOWIE cast member Megan McKenna putting in an appearance, while other contestants seem a little harder to decipher.
Among them are a woman from the Coronation Street cast and a male EastEnders actor, alongside a “journalist”, a blonde “model and actress”, a duo made up of male “social media stars” and a five-piece girl group made up of what the trailer describes as “influencers”.
The new trailer also confirms that the judging line-up is back down to just three, with Simon Cowell, Nicole Scherzinger and Louis Walsh overseeing the series, after the latter two were both absent from last year’s run.
X Factor: Celebrity doesn’t have a start date yet, but the trailer does reveal that it will air on ITV in October.
At this time of year, X Factor has usually started airing its audition stage, but Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions is currently airing in its place instead.
