The X Factoris back – now in its 15th series – with a new panel of judges, a familiar face hosting and one or two new twists aiming to spice things up.
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Louis Walsh and Nicole Scherzinger have been axed, and the new-look line up for 2018 includes Robbie Williams, Ayda Field, Louis Tomlinson and Simon Cowell.
Former judge Sharon Osbourne was due to return to The X Factor for the live shows, but she's since announced she won't be appearing. "I really don’t think I’m needed," she said.
Back in the day, it was tradition for X Factor to finish the week before Christmas. This meant that the winner would release their single, everyone would buy it and they'd pretty much be guaranteed the festive Number 1 spot in the charts.
Now? Not so much. Last year, the show had its earliest ever finish with the live final falling on Sunday 3rd December and we now know that this year's final will kick off even earlier, on Saturday 1st December.
The X Factor judges 2018: Robbie Williams, Ayda Field, Louis Tomlinson, Simon Cowell (Getty)
Where is The X Factor filmed? And how can I get tickets?
Tickets for The X Factor live shows are available now. In order to get your hands on them, head to ApplauseStore.com.
Who's presenting The X Factor?
Host Dermot O'Leary is again returning to the ITV show. The longstanding presenter was dropped in 2015 in favour of Olly Murs and Caroline Flack, but was swiftly reinstated the following year and – thank goodness – has been helming the show ever since.
Dermot O'Leary on The X Factor 2017 (ITV)
Is The Xtra Factor back on ITV2?
No. The ITV2 spin-off used to be a mainstay, but it has actually been axed. There's been no word that it's coming back. RIP.
Thomas is Digital editor at BBC Science Focus. Writing about everything from cosmology to anthropology, he specialises in the latest psychology, health and neuroscience discoveries. Thomas has a Masters degree (distinction) in Magazine Journalism from the University of Sheffield and has written for Men’s Health, Vice and Radio Times. He has been shortlisted as the New Digital Talent of the Year at the national magazine Professional Publishers Association (PPA) awards. Also working in academia, Thomas has lectured on the topic of journalism to undergraduate and postgraduate students at The University of Sheffield.
