The X Factor (UK series 2)

The second UK series of "The X Factor" ran from 20 August to 17 December 2005. [http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds23329.html] . All three judges — Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh — returned for the series, quashing rumours that Osbourne and Walsh might not return for financial reasons. Kate Thornton also returned as host. 75,000 people auditioned for the second series, which saw Shayne Ward declared winner.

Format

The second series was longer than the first, with seven acts in each of the three categories going to the judges' homes, and twelve acts in the finals instead of nine.

On the episode broadcast on 24 September 2005, the mentoring selection was made, with Cowell in charge of groups, Osbourne looking after the 25-and-overs and Walsh managing the 16–24s. The Boot Camp stages were shown on 1 October 2005, and those who got through were taken to the judges' homes.

The live shows began on 15 October 2005, and the final was broadcast live on 17 December 2005.

Finalists

The following artists made it to the live shows. The act in green won the contest, and the pink acts were eliminated. ;Judges' votes to eliminate:
*Simon: Chico
*Sharon: Addictiv Ladies
*Louis: Addictiv Ladies

22 October 2005

;Judges' votes to eliminate:
*Sharon: Nicholas
*Simon: Chenai
*Louis: Chenai

12 November 2005

;Judges' votes to eliminate:
*Sharon: The Conway Sisters
*Simon: The Conway Sisters
*Louis didn't need to vote as there was a majority.

For the first time in the series so far, a judge made an unforced decision to eliminate one of their own acts: Simon Cowell voted to send home The Conway Sisters rather than Sharon's Chico. Sharon had already supported her own act and Louis did not get the opportunity to vote. Simon said that both acts deserved to be in the bottom two, but felt Chico had an entertainment value. (On November 5, both the bottom two acts were Louis', leaving him no choice but to send one of them home).

3 December 2005

In the final of series 2, each of the three finalists had to sing up to four songs: one of their own choice, a Christmas song, a song they had sung earlier in the finals, and the new song "That's My Goal" — a version of which, recorded by the eventual winner, would be released to vie for the Christmas number one spot. (In the event, Shayne Ward's version did indeed make Christmas number one.)

Some of the more memorable acts that did not make it to the live shows also returned to sing "My Way." The show's oldest contestant was among them.

On the back of their performances and popularity in the competition, Shayne Ward (winner), Journey South, Andy Abraham, Chico Slimani and Maria Lawson have landed recording contracts.

External links

*itv.com|id=xfactor|title="The X Factor"