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The X Factor UK (Series 14)
UK13
Series 14
Broadcast from 2 September 2017 - 3 December 2017
Judges Louis Walsh
Sharon Osbourne
Nicole Scherzinger
Simon Cowell
Alesha Dixon (guest judge)
Presenters Dermot O'Leary

Becca Dudley (Xtra Bites UK)

Network ITV

ITV Hub (Xtra Bites UK)

Number of finalists 16
Winner Rak-Su
Runner-up Grace Davies
Notable returnees Tracy Leanne Jefford (3)
Nicole Simpson (8)
Ratings 5.3 (millions)
Chronology
Previous Series 13
Next Series 15

Series 14 of The X Factor premiered on September 2, 2017 and concluded on December 3, 2017 on ITV. This is the first series to be sponsored by Just Eat after being sponsored by TalkTalk for nearly eight years.

It was won by R&B/Hip hop boy band Rak-Su, who became the second group after 2011 champions Little Mix and the first boy band to win the original series. Grace Davies finished as runner-up.  

Production[]

Prior to the Series 13 final, Louis Walsh revealed that he had signed on to be a judge for a further two years. It has also been reported that Sharon Osbourne will be returning. Nicole Scherzinger also hinted on her Instagram page that she may return to the judging panel although in March 2017 it was reported that she may not be returning in order to focus on her music career.  However, a month later it was reported that both she and Sharon Osbourne would be returning along with Simon Cowell meaning that the panel would be the same from the previous year for the third time, the first in 2004-06, and the second in 2008-10.

On January 19, 2017, it was announced that ITV had decided to scrap aftershow The Xtra Factor. Rylan Clark-Neal announced on Twitter that he would not be returning to do it for a second year, seemingly confirming that it had indeed been cancelled.

A week later, it was confirmed that Dermot O'Leary would be returning to host the show for its 14th year, marking his tenth year as a presenter.

In June 2017, it was revealed that the judging panel will remain the same as Series 13. On June 23, 2017 it was revealed that Nicole Scherzinger wouldn't be able to make the first day of Manchester auditions due to prior commitments and as such was replaced with Britain's Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon for the first day of the auditions, with Scherzinger returning for the rest of the auditions. Dixon also stood in for Osbourne at the Edinburgh auditions five days later due to the latter having a long-standing back injury.

The day before the first live show, it was reported that Simon Cowell had been taken to hospital after falling down the stairs at his home.  Due to this, he was absent from the first live show with the remaining judges going ahead as normal.  Guest judge Alesha Dixon, who had filled in for both Scherzinger and Osbourne during the auditions, joined the panel for the second live show in place of Simon, who once again wasn't able to be in attendance.

Judges[]

Louiswalsh2017 Sharonosbourne2017 Nicolescherzinger2017 Simoncowell2017
Louis Walsh Sharon Osbourne Nicole Scherzinger Simon Cowell

Twists/Changes[]

Age limit: The minimum age limit was reduced to 14 years old.  This previously happened in 2007, 2008, 2011 and 2014. Additionally the category age limit was raised from 25 to 27 which meant for soloists, aged 25-27 were transferred to the Boys and Girls categories.

Auditions: Simon confirmed during the filming of bootcamp that the auditionees would be allowed to perform original songs.  This previously happened during Series 9 and there were more audition episodes than previous series.

Six Chair Challenge: In a change to previous years where each judge critiqued each other's category together, the judges faced their category alone on the sidelines while the other judges sat at the judges' table offering their critique.

Live Shows: Acts were sent home on both Saturday and Sunday, as "tedious" Saturday nights received lower viewing figures than Sunday. Simon officially confirmed the reduction in live shows in late August 2017. The group performance was also abolished.

Theme Weeks: In August 2017, it was reported that the theme jukebox twist that was introduced in Series 13 had been scrapped.  The live shows saw the return of the theme weeks of previous years with updated song choices.  In a series first, many of the finalists were permitted to perform their own songs.

Wildcards: On October 18, the ITV Press Center confirmed that following this segment the public would get to vote for a wildcard for each category from the remaining contestants who did not make it to the live shows. This gave a total of 16 acts for the live shows.

Sing-Off: In a change to previous years, for the first four weeks there was no sing-off between the two acts who polled the lowest public votes.  Instead, the acts that polled the lowest amount of public votes were automatically eliminated and those who topped the public vote on both nights went head-to-head in a sing-off with the victor winning a prize. 

Winner's Single: During the final, it was announced that this year's winner's single would be the celebrity duet between the finalist and whoever they duetted with.

Finalists[]

Act Category Finish Elimination
Spencersutherlandmini Spencer Sutherland
25, Pickerington, Ohio, USA
Boys 16th
week one
Fewest public votes
Taliadeanmini Talia Dean
32, London
Over 27s 15th
week one
Fewest public votes
Leonmallettmini Leon Mallett
22, Norfolk
Boys 14th
week two
Fewest public votes
Tracyleannejeffordmini Tracyleanne Jefford
34,Sunbury-on-Thames,Surrey
Over 27s 13th
week two
Fewest public votes
Jackandjoelmini Jack and Joel
22, Lincolnshire & London
Groups 12th
week three
Fewest public votes
Alisahbonaobramini Alisah Bonaobra
22, Manila, Philippines
Girls 11th
week three
Fewest public votes
Samblackmini Sam Black
27, Isle of Man
Boys 10th
quarter-final
Fewest public votes
Seanandconormini Sean & Conor Price
15-17, Blessington, Ireland
Groups 9th
quarter-final
Fewest public votes
Raiellewilliamsmini Rai-Elle Williams
16, London
Girls 8th
quarter-final
Fewest public votes
Hollytandymini Holly Tandy
16, Barnsley
Girls 7th
quarter-final
Fewest public votes
X Factor 2018 Live Tour
Mattlinnenmini Matt Linnen
28,Southend,Essex
Over 27s 6th
semi-final
Fewest public votes
Thecutkelvinsmini The CutKelvins
20-24, Lanark, Scotland
Groups 5th
semi-final
Fewest public votes
Lloydmaceymini Lloyd Macey
23, South Wales Valley, Wales
Boys 4th
semi-final
Fewest public votes
Kevindavywhitemini Kevin Davy White
29, Paris, France
Over 27s 3rd
final
Fewest public votes
Gracedaviesmini Grace Davies
21, Blackburn
Girls Runner up
final
Fewest public votes
Raksumini Rak-Su
25-26, Watford, Hertfordshire
Groups Winner
final
Most public votes

Selection process[]

Auditions[]

See: List of The X Factor UK auditionees (series 14)

Although initially reported that returnees would be banned, Anthony Russell, who previously auditioned in 2007, returned to audition; he later withdrew from competing. Other returnees included Aidan Martin who first auditioned in 2007 and made it to Bootcamp, Tracy Leanne Jefford who first auditioned in 2006, making it to Bootcamp, and Nicole Simpson who reached bootcamp in 2011; she withdrew before the Six Chair Challenge took place. Leon Mallett, who auditioned as part of a duo with his brother Alex, previously auditioned for the show during in 2014 as part of the boyband Fifth Street, who were eliminated at Bootcamp.

Bootcamp[]

See: Bootcamp (UK series 14)

This took place from July 21 to 23 at the SSE Arena, Wembley in front of a live audience. After everyone had performed it was also revealed that Simon Cowell would be mentoring the Groups, Nicole Scherzinger would be mentoring the Overs and Louis Walsh would be mentoring the Boys.

Six Chair Challenge[]

See: Six Chair Challenge (UK series 14)

This took place from July 26 to 28 at the SSE Arena, Wembley.

Summary of six chair challenge
Judge Category Chairs
1 2 3 4 5 6
Cowell Groups Jack & Joel Rak-Su The CutKelvins Sean & Conor Lemonade New Girlband
Scherzinger Over 27s Matt Linnen Tracyleanne Jefford Talia Dean Slavko Kevin Davy White Berget Lewis
Osbourne Girls Deanna Mussington Grace Davies Holly Tandy Rai-Elle Williams Georgina Panton Alisah Bonaobra
Walsh Boys Lloyd Macey Spencer Sutherland Leon Mallett Aidan Martin Anthony Russell* Jack Mason
  • Although put through to Judges' Houses, it was confirmed that Anthony Russell had withdrawn due to "personal reasons". His replacement was announced as Sam Black, who was originally eliminated during Bootcamp

Judges' Houses[]

See: Judges' Houses (UK series 14)

Filming for judges' houses took place in late August and early/mid September. On October 18, the ITV Press Center confirmed that there would be a choice of four wildcards, selected from the three finalists from each category who did not originally make it to the live shows. It was also announced that the public would get to vote for each wildcard and that their first performance would be in the second week of the live shows.

Anthony Russell was originally selected for Judges' Houses as part of the Boys category mentored by Louis Walsh, but dropped out due to "personal reasons". Soon after, his replacement was announced as Sam Black, who had originally been eliminated at Bootcamp.

Summary of judges' houses
Judge Category Location Guest mentor(s) Acts eliminated Wildcard
Cowell Groups Nice, France Cheryl New Girl Group, Jack and Joel, Lemonade Jack and Joel
Osbourne Girls San Francisco Jack and Kelly Osbourne Deanna Mussington, Georgina Panton, Alisah Bonaobra Alisah Bonaobra
Scherzinger Over 27s Johannesburg, South Africa Stormzy Talia Dean, Slavko, Berget Lewis Talia Dean
Walsh Boys Istanbul, Turkey Mika Jack Mason, Leon Mallett, Aiden Martin Leon Mallett

Live Shows[]

Results Summary[]

Weekly results per act
Week 1 2 3 Quarter-Final Semi-Final Final
Eliminated Spencersutherlandmini Taliadeanmini Leonmallettmini Tracyleannejeffordmini Jackandjoelmini Alisahbonaobramini Samblackmini Seanandconormini Raiellewilliamsmini Hollytandymini Mattlinnenmini Thecutkelvinsmini Lloydmaceymini Kevindavywhitemini Gracedaviesmini Raksumini
Rak-Su N/A 1st
22.2%
1st
32.3%
N/A 2nd
25.7%
N/A 1st
36.7%
N/A 1st
26.1%
1st
27.3%
1st
41.7%
Winner
51.7%*
Grace Davies 1st
21.9%
N/A N/A 2nd
18.5%
N/A 2nd
20.1%
N/A 1st
26.1%
4th
17.2%
2nd
26.0%
2nd
35.4%
Runner-Up
40.1%*
Kevin Davy White N/A 4th
11.1%
1st
21.9%
1st
25.8%
N/A 3rd
21.4%
2nd
19.5%
3rd
18.9%
3rd
22.9%
Eliminated
(final)
Lloyd Macey 3rd
15.0%
N/A 3rd
14.4%
N/A N/A 1st
26.4%
2nd
22.8%
N/A 3rd
19.2%
4th
18.2%
Eliminated
(semi-final)
The Cutkelvins N/A 2nd
17.3%
2nd
15.1%
4th
13.5%
N/A 3rd
18.9%
5th
10.1%
5th
9.6%
Matt Linnen 3rd
11.9%
N/A 5th
13.6%
3rd
14.1%
N/A 2nd
22.5%
6th
7.9%
Eliminated
(semi-final)
Holly Tandy 2nd
15.9%
N/A 3rd
15.4%
N/A 3rd
19.7%
4th
16.1%
Eliminated
(quarter-final)
Rai-Elle Williams 5th
11.5%
4th
14.3%
4th
14.3%
5th
13.9%
Sean & Conor Price N/A 5th
10.6%
5th
10.6%
N/A 5th
11.2%
N/A 4th
15.4%
Eliminated
(quarter-final)
Sam Black 7th
8.5%
N/A 4th
12.5%
N/A 5th
11.2%
5th
6.2%
Alisah Bonaobra 4th
11.8%
N/A 6th
9.5%
6th
6.3%
Eliminated
(week 3)
Jack & Joel N/A 7th
9.2%
6th
6.2%
N/A 6th
9.7%
Eliminated
(week 3)
Tracyleanne Jefford 6th
10.3%
N/A 7th
6.8%
Eliminated
(week 2)
Leon Mallett 6th
9.3%
N/A 7th
6.5%
Eliminated
(week 2)
Talia Dean N/A 8th
7.4%
Eliminated
(week 1)
Spencer Sutherland 8th
6.1%
Eliminated
(week 1)
Prize Fight Davies,
Rak-Su
Rak-Su,
White
Macey,
White
Davies,
Rak-Su
No Prize Fight
Winner Davies White Macey Rak-Su
Eliminated Spencer Sutherland
6.1%
to save
Talia Dean
7.4%
to save
Leon Mallett
6.5%
to save
Tracyleanne Jefford
6.8%
to save
Jack and Joel
9.7%
to save
Alisha Bonaobra
8.3%
to save
Sam Black
6.2%
to save
Sean and Conor Price
15.4%
to save
Rai-Elle Williams
13.9%
to save
Holly Tandy
16.1%
to save
Matt Linnen
7.9%
to save
The Cutkelvins
9.6%
to save
Lloyd Macey
18.2%
to save
Kevin Davy White
22.9%
to save
Grace Davies
40.1%
to win
  • In the Sunday Final, Kevin Davy White received 8.2% of the public vote despite being eliminated already.

Ratings[]

Episode Air date Duration Official rating (millions) Official rating (millions incl. HD) Official rating (millions incl. HD +1) Weekly rank
Auditions 1 2 September 90 5.76 7.38 7.92 5
Auditions 2 3 September 60 5.73 7.46 8.04 4
Auditions 3 9 September 75 5.15 6.60 7.23 10
Auditions 4 10 September 60 5.52 7.10 7.57 4
Auditions 5 16 September 75 5.66 7.38 7.68 7
Auditions 6 17 September 60 5.28 7.60 7.33 10
Auditions 7 23 September 75 4.42 5.83 6.31 17
Auditions 8 24 September 60 5.32 6.95 7.24 9
Bootcamp 1 30 September 90 4.82 6.24 6.66 15
Bootcamp 2 1 October 90 4.58 5.98 6.20 16
Bootcamp 3 7 October 120 4.80 5.75 6.09 16
Six-Chair Challenge 1 8 October 90 5.70 6.83 7.20 9
Six-Chair Challenge 2 14 October 120 5.01 6.56 6.95 14
Six-Chair Challenge 3 15 October 120 4.43 6.12 6.52 17
Judges' Houses 1 21 October 120 5.14 6.79 7.09 13
Judges' Houses 2 22 October 120 4.28 5.71 6.09 16
Live Shows 1 28 October 120 4.64 6.30 6.48 14
Live Shows 2 29 October 120 3.70 5.14 5.50 15
Live Shows 3 4 November 105
Live Shows 4 5 November 115
Live Shows 5 11 November 90
Live Shows 6 12 November 90
Live Shows 7 18 November
Live Shows 8 19 November
Semi Final 1 25 November
Semi Final 2 26 November
Final 1 2 December
Final 2 3 December

Team Rankings[]

1. Groups (mentored by Simon Cowell)

Raksumini Thecutkelvinsmini Seanandconormini Jackandjoelmini

2. Girls (mentored by Sharon Osbourne)

Gracedaviesmini Hollytandymini Raiellewilliamsmini Alisahbonaobramini

3. Over 28s (mentored by Nicole Scherzinger)

Kevindavywhitemini Mattlinnenmini Tracyleannejeffordmini Taliadeanmini

4. Boys (mentored by Louis Walsh)

Lloydmaceymini Samblackmini Leonmallettmini Spencersutherlandmini

Trivia[]

  • This is the second time in its run that the show has premiered in September rather than August as its first series premiered in September 2004.
  • This series has the best average finishing placement for Groups category acts.
  • This is also the only series where an act from the Boys category doesn't make the top 3.
  • This is also the first series since Series 4 that doesn't feature an act from the Boys category in the Final. (Lloyd Macey did make the Semi-Final.)
  • This is the third series to feature an original song as the winner's single, following Series 2 and Series 13.
  • The finale was watched by just over 5.2 million viewers, making it the least-watched finale in the original series' history.
  • This was the final series to feature Sharon Osbourne on The X Factor UK. She was the first original judge to not appear in any future series.
  • This was the only series that there was no final showdowns or judges votes with the bottom 2. Instead the act with the lowest number of votes in each live show was eliminated.
  • This is only the second series in which each of the four categories had their top act in the Semi-Final.
  • Walsh was the only judge that year to be present in every part of every stage, as Scherzinger, Cowell, and Osbourne all had to be replaced by Alesha Dixon at some point in the competition (because the former weren’t able to attend it).
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