Who's got the X Factor...

So it’s that time of year again when king of the talent shows, Simon Cowell, attempts to capture the hearts (and the wallets) of the nation with the next ‘Big Thing’ in music.

If you’re not familiar with the X Factor concept, it’s basically a talent show whereby big names in the music biz (This year’s include: Nicole Scherzinger, Sharon Osborne, Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh) decide who has the ‘X Factor’ – AKA who can bring in the ratings, no matter how ridiculous they may be (*cough* Honey-G *cough*).

This year we saw Matt Terry take the crown with his winner’s single – When Christmas Comes Around.

We’re actually quite impressed that this year, X Factor bosses enlisted the help of (actually mega-talented) Ed Sheeran to write the song and it had a Christmas theme – guaranteed to bag that infamous Number 1 slot in the chart’s, right?

Let’s take a trip together down memory lane and remember those who have gone before… and see where they are now.

The X Factor was first on our screens in 2004 when Steve Brookstein was named the first champion of the show setting the bar for future hopefuls.

Steve won the competition with his one and only single ‘Against All Odds’, before shortly after being dropped by his label and is now working on a cruise line.

2005 had Shayne Ward win the show – after an averagely successful music career you can now see him as a starring character in Coronation St.

The 2006 winner was Leona Lewis, who has probably has had the most successful musical career with 3 Grammy's under her belt, she can now be seen starring in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Cats’.

2007 brought us Leon Jackson with the ballad ‘When You Believe’ –  he seems to have disappeared off the radar for a while, however is now back writing and recording music to give it another shot! 

Steve Brookstein, Shayne Ward, Leona Lewis and Leon Jackson

2008 saw Alexandra Burke as the nation’s favourite – she won with a cover of ‘Hallelujah’. She can also be seen on the stage in the hit West End show, The Bodyguard.

2009 was the year for Geordie boy Joe McElderry with his cover of ‘The Climb’ – sadly this was beaten to the number 1 spot by Rage Against the Machine in an anti-x factor campaign. He is now donning a Technicolour DreamCoat in the UK tour.

2010 had Matt Cardle win by covering a Biffy Clyro song. It did the job though, as Matt is still touring the UK and writing new music.

2011’s winners were too very successful. Little Mix won the nations hearts (a favourite of  The Lady Boys of Bangkok) and were the first group to win the X Factor with their single ‘Cannon Ball’. They are now touring in arenas worldwide with their fourth album which has recently hit the top of the charts.

Alexandra Burke, Joe McElderry, Matt Cardle and Little Mix

In 2012 James Arthur won with a cover of ‘Impossible’ before shortly after too disappearing from existence. However, recently he has had a huge comeback with ‘Say you won’t let go’ which rocketed straight to number 1.

2013 had Sam Bailey with yet another cover, winning the show with ‘Sky Scraper’. She too was shortly after let go by her label and is now digging into her own pockets to fund a new album.

2014 saw Ben Haenow win over runner up Fleur East with ‘Something I Need’, shortly after releasing his second single with Kelly Clarkson, Ben was another to be dropped by Simon and his label but is still writing new music.

In 2015 Louisa Johnson won with her cover of Bob Dylan’s ‘Forever Young’. Sadly the track didn’t make the top of the charts but her recent efforts with her single with Clean Bandit and her song ‘So Good’ are looking promising for the singer. We are still waiting for her album.

James Arthur, Sam Bailey, Ben Haenow and Louisa Johnson

Which brings us to this year and Matt Terry – Hoping to claim that Christmas number 1 spot! What do you think of this years winner? Well, you can buy his single here.