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The X Factor UK (Series 8)
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Series 8
Broadcast from 20 August 2011 – 11 December 2011
Judges Louis Walsh
Tulisa
Kelly Rowland
Gary Barlow
Alexandra Burke (guest)
Presenters Dermot O'Leary
Caroline Flack
Olly Murs
Network ITV
ITV2
Number of finalists 16
Winner Little Mix
Runner-up Marcus Collins
Notable returnees Charlie Healy (6)
Marlon McKenzie (2,5,7)
Melanie McCabe (5)
Jade Thirwall (5, 7)
John Wilding (7)
Ratings 12.04 (millions)
Chronology
Previous Series 7
Next Series 9

Series 8 of The X Factor premiered on August 20, 2011 and ended on December 11, 2011.

Girl group Little Mix, who were part of the Groups category mentored by Tulisa, became the first-ever group to win the original series. Fellow finalists Marcus Collins and Amelia Lily also secured record deals but Collins eventually moved into musical theater.

It was watched by 12.04 million viewers - over 2 millon less than the previous series.

Production[]

This series marked the departures of judges Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole and Dannii Minogue with Louis Walsh the only original judge remaining. He was accompanied by Tulisa, Kelly Rowland and Gary Barlow. Dermot O'Leary returned to present the show for the fifth year while spin-off show The Xtra Factor was presented by Olly Murs and Caroline Flack.

Judges[]

Louiswalsh2011 TulisaSexyBody KellyRowlandSexyAss Garybarlowpic1
Louis Walsh Tulisa Kelly Rowland Gary Barlow

Twists/Changes[]

Two Presenters Of The Xtra Factor UK: This is the first series to feature two presenters of The Xtra Factor. The two presenters of The Xtra Factor were Olly Murs and Caroline Flack.

Wildcards: The wildcard from the previous series was scrapped.

Acts Performing Alongside Their Mentors: This was the first series to feature the Top 3 acts performing with their mentors rather than a celebrity duet.

Mentor Elimination: In the first week of the live shows, there was no public vote and instead, each judge was required to eliminate one of their own acts.

Guest Judge During The Live Shows: This is the first series to feature a guest judge during the live shows. As Kelly Rowland was absent in the fourth week due to illness, former winner, Alexandra Burke was the guest judge for both night shows of the fourth week.

Act Ejection: This is the only series to have an act ejected from the competition rather than actually withdraw or eliminated on the Saturday performance or Sunday result show.

Return Vote: Due to Frankie Cocozza’s ejection in Week 6, one of the four acts who were eliminated by their mentors in Week 1 would to return to the competition to replace Cocozza through a return public vote in Week 6. Amelia Lily returned to the competition with 48.8% of the return public vote.

Finalists[]

Act Category Finish Elimination
Jonjokerrmini Jonjo Kerr
27, Chorley, Lancashire
Over 25s 16th
week one
By mentor
Jamesmichaelmini James Michael
20, Widnes, Cheshire
Boys 15th
week one
By mentor
2shoesmini 2 Shoes
21-23, Brentwood, Essex
Groups 14th
week one
By mentor
Nuvibemini Nu Vibe
16-19, various places
Groups 13th
week two
Majority vote
Samibrookesmini Sami Brookes
31, Rhyl, Denbighshire
Over 25s 12th
week three
Majority vote
Sophiehabibismini Sophie Habibis
20, Tufnel Park, London
Girls 11th
week four
Majority vote
X Factor 2012 Live Tour
Theriskmini The Risk
19-25, various places
Groups 10th
week five
Fewest public votes
Johnnyrobinsonmini Johnny Robinson
45, Harrow, London
Over 25s 9th
week five
Majority vote
Frankiecocozzamini Frankie Cocozza
18, Brighton
Boys 8th
week six
Ejected (Also banned From The X Factor 2012 Live Tour)
Kittybrucknellmini Kitty Brucknell
26, Cheltenham
Over 25s 7th
week six
Majority vote
Craigcoltonmini Craig Colton
23, Kirkby
Boys 6th
week seven
Deadlock
Janetdevlinmini Janet Devlin
17, Gortin, County Tyrone
Girls 5th
quarter-final
Majority vote
Mishabmini Misha B
19, Manchester
Girls 4th
semi-final
Fewest public votes
Amelialilymini Amelia Lily
17, Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough
Girls 3rd
final
Fewest public votes
Marcuscollinsmini Marcus Collins
23, Liverpool
Boys Runner-up
final
Fewest public votes
Littlemixmini Little Mix
18-20, various places
Groups Winners
final
Most public votes

Note: Even though Frankie Cocozza finished in the top 9, thus qualifying for the Live Tour, he was not given a spot due to his ejection from the show, which led to Amelia Lily's return and eventual placement on the tour.

Selection process[]

Auditions[]

See: List of The X Factor UK auditionees (series 8)

Notable returnees included Jade Thirwall previously auditioned during auditioned twice (during Series 5 and Series 7) but was eliminated at Bootcamp.

Bootcamp[]

See: Bootcamp (UK series 8)

Judges' Houses[]

See: Judges' Houses (UK series 8)

Summary of judges' houses
Judge Category Location Guest mentor(s) Contestants eliminated
Barlow Boys Los Angeles Robbie Williams Joe Cox, Luke Lucas, Max Vickers, John Wilding
Rowland Girls Miami Jennifer Hudson Melanie McCabe, Holly Repton, Jade Richards, Sarah Watson
Tulisa Groups Mykonos Jessie J Girl v Boy, The Estrelles, The Keys, The Lovettes
Walsh Over 25s Barcelona Sinitta Sami Brookes, Joseph Gilligan, Carolynne Poole, Terry Winstanley

Live Shows[]

Results Summary[]

Weekly results per act
Week 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Quarter-Final Semi-Final Final
Eliminated Jonjokerrmini Jamesmichaelmini 2shoesmini Nuvibemini Samibrookesmini Sophiehabibismini Theriskmini Johnnyrobinsonmini Frankiecocozzamini Kittybrucknellmini Craigcoltonmini Janetdevlinmini Mishabmini Amelialilymini Marcuscollinsmini Littlemixmini
Little Mix Saved 4th
8.7%
6th
6.0%
2nd
13.7%
4th
11.9%
N/A 3rd
15.3%
1st
26.1%
2nd
22.4%
1st
34.4%
1st
39.0%
Winner
48.2%*
Marcus Collins 7th
6.8%
4th
11.2%
6th
10.1%
2nd
16.0%
4th
12.9%
4th
14.4%
3rd
21.0%
2nd
24.0%
2nd
34.5%
Runner-Up
42.8%*
Amelia Lily Eliminated Eliminated
(week 1)
1st
48.8%
1st
27.4%
5th
11.3%
1st
23.8%
3rd
21.4%
3rd
26.5%
Eliminated
(final)
Misha B Saved 5th
7.8%
3rd
11.8%
10th
5.1%
3rd
12.2%
N/A 7th
8.0%
2nd
22.5%
5th
14.5%
4th
20.2%
Eliminated
(semi-final)
Janet Devlin 1st
23.6%
1st
17.2%
1st
14.7%
1st
18.0%
2nd
17.4%
3rd
14.8%
4th
18.3%
Eliminated
(quarter-final)
Craig Colton 6th
6.9%
8th
6.0%
3rd
13.0%
5th
10.1%
5th
10.6%
6th
10.9%
Eliminated
(week 7)
Kitty Brucknell 10th
5.9%
11th
5.0%
4th
12.9%
8th
7.6%
6th
8.4%
Eliminated
(week 6)
Frankie Cocozza 11th
5.2%
7th
6.0%
8th
5.7%
6th
8.7%
Ejected
(week 6)
Johnny Robinson 8th
6.5%
2nd
17.1%
5th
12.2%
7th
8.3%
Eliminated
(week 5)
The Risk 2nd
10.9%
5th
8.3%
7th
7.2%
9th
7.2%
Sophie Habibis 3rd
8.9%
9th
5.8%
9th
5.4%
Eliminated
(week 4)
Sami Brookes 9th
6.2%
10th
5.6%
Eliminated
(week 3)
Nu Vibe 12th
2.6%
Eliminated
(week 2)
2 Shoes Eliminated Eliminated
(week 1)
4th
11.3%
Not Returned
(week 6)
James Michael 2nd
26.7%
Jonjo Kerr 3rd
13.2%
Bottom Two None Cocozza,
Nu Vibe
Brookes,
Brucknell
Habibis,
Misha B
Brucknell,
Robinson
No final showdown or judges' votes;
results were based on public votes alone
Brucknell,
Misha B
Colton,
Lily
Devlin,
Misha B
No final showdown or judges' votes;
results were based on public votes alone
Walsh's vote
to eliminate
Kerr Nu Vibe Brookes Habibis Robinson Misha B Colton Devlin
Tulisa's vote
to eliminate
2 Shoes Cocozza Brucknell Habibis Robinson Brucknell Lily Devlin
Rowland's vote
to eliminate
Lily Nu Vibe Brookes Habibis Robinson Brucknell Colton None (abstained)
Barlow's vote
to eliminate
Michael Nu Vibe Brookes N/A* N/A* Brucknell Lily N/A*
Eliminated Jonjo Kerr
James Michael
2 Shoes
Amelia Lily
Nu Vibe
3 of 4 Votes
Majority Vote
Sami Brookes
3 of 4 Votes
Majority Vote
Sophie Habibis
3 of 3 Votes
Majority Vote
The Risk
7.2%
to save
Johnny Robinson
3 of 3 Votes
Majority Vote
Frankie Cocozza
Ejected
Kitty Brucknell
3 of 4 Votes
Majority Vote
Craig Colton
2 of 4 Votes
Deadlock
Janet Devlin
2 of 2 Votes
Majority Vote
Misha B
20.2%
To Save
Amelia Lily
26.5%
To Save
Marcus Collins
42.8%
To Win
  • In Weeks 4 and 5, as well as the Quarter-Final, Barlow did not need to vote as there was already a majority. However, he confirmed that he would have voted to eliminate Sophie Habibis (in Week 4), Johnny Robinson (in Week 5), and Janet Devlin (in the Quarter-Final).
  • In the Sunday Final, Amelia Lily received 8.9% of the public vote, despite being eliminated already.

Ratings[]

Template:UK8ratings

Controversies[]

Allegation of bullying

Misha B was involved in a controversy during the third live show when Tulisa accused her of making "mean comments" and Walsh accused her of being a "bully" backstage. Both later apologised. The other two judges, Barlow and Rowland, and several contestants defended Misha B during and after the show. Barlow later said he believed the wrongful allegations had ended her chances of winning the competition."

Frankie Cocozza's ejection

On 8 November, Frankie Cocozza was ejected from the competition. He released a statement saying "I'd like to apologise to Gary, my fellow contestants and everyone who has voted for me, but, as of today, I will no longer be in The X Factor. My life during the show has gone out of control and my behaviour off stage has overstepped the rules of the competition."

The Sun newspaper claimed Cocozza had been overheard boasting about using cocaine. The rules of the series strictly prohibit drug use during the show. Cocozza's mentor, Barlow, said that he was "hugely disappointed" by Cocozza's behaviour, but wished him luck with his future.

Cocozza's behaviour earlier in the series has led to two Ofcom investigations – he swore during a live show and was also shown drinking heavily with some friends of his.

Team Rankings[]

1. Girls (mentored by Kelly Rowland)

Amelialilymini Mishabmini Janetdevlinmini Sophiehabibismini

2. Boys (mentored by Gary Barlow)

Marcuscollinsmini Craigcoltonmini Frankiecocozzamini Jamesmichaelmini

3. Groups (mentored by Tulisa)

Littlemixmini Theriskmini Nuvibemini 2shoesmini

4. Over 25s (mentored by Louis Walsh)

Kittybrucknellmini Johnnyrobinsonmini Samibrookesmini Jonjokerrmini

Trivia[]

  • As with Series 2 to Series 6, the winning act and runner-up performed the same potential winner's single.
  • This was the only UK series to feature Kelly Rowland on The X Factor UK.
  • This was the first UK series to have the first permanent judge from the USA.
  • This is the only series to have only female acts win the public vote throughout the live shows.
  • This is the first series where a group won the show.
  • This is the only series to have a single returning judge.
  • This is the only series to feature an act who was permanently ejected from the show and banned from taking part in The X Factor 2011 charity single along with its live performance in the quarter-final and CD, the final 16 group performance and reappearance on the Sunday Final, and The X Factor Live Tour 2012.
  • Unlike the previous series, the category age limit was lowered from 28 to 25, therefore any solo contestant older than the age of or aged 25 was placed in the Over 25s category.
  • This series features the most number of weeks when a judge had two of their own acts in the final showdown. Louis Walsh had two of his acts in the final showdown in the third and fifth weeks, and Rowland had two of her acts in the final showdown in the fifth week and quarter-final.
  • Most of the judges decisions during the majority of the final showdowns this year were unamious e.g. Habibis’s, Robinson’s and Devlin’s departure. During these three occasions, Barlow didn’t need to vote, but would have voted the same way as the unanimous decisions on tall these occasions.
    • This year had five weeks where the act who lost the final showdown received more public votes than the act who survived the final showdown.
    • This is the second consecutive series and fourth series overall where only one judge sent the result to deadlock.
    • This is the second series where the result went to deadlock only once.
    • In this series, the second to perform in each final showdown always advanced to the following week.
  • This is also arguably Walsh's worst year as a mentor since his last survivng act this year placed 7th, the lowest rank of any of his final acts as well as being the first judge for the third consecutive year to lose all his acts.
  • This is the first series where a female judge mentored the Groups.


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