15 Glorious Moments From The Return Of 'X Factor'

    Cancel all your weekend plans for the rest of the year. It's time to face the music.

    Dan Martin
    by Dan Martin

    BuzzFeed Staff

    1. The new formatting made moments like this even more awkward.

    J Star Valentine's version of what he called ""Hallelujah" by Alexandra Burke" gave the series its first genuinely facepalm audition.

    2. The biggest success of the night was the return of Sharon Osbourne.

    YouTube / ITV

    Mrs O's judging panel comeback is one of the most symbolic moves in the tenth series of the talent juggernaut. She was back to sprinkle some light entertainment sparkle to proceedings. She did this in style, not really taking anything seriously and losing it completely when a young hopeful sang the line about "messing his pants" from Busted's "Air Hostess". The other judges couldn't really get a look-in, although Nicole Scherzinger did reveal that she "likes balls".

    3. Which means we might be seeing a little less of this.

    Starpix, Dave Allocca / AP

    The runaway success of One Direction had pushed The X Factor into a more credible, A&R based process. The reign of Tulisa Contostavlos gave the world Little Mix, already on their way to becoming a female 1D. But the decline in viewing figures in recent years suggested that the mainstream viewer was becoming alienated. This year's series is seeing a return to basics.

    4. Though there were still some boyband types.

    ITV / Via youtube.com

    Like Alejandro Fernandez-Holt, who wooed the crowd with a bilingual version of 'Hero'.

    5. Fil Henley made an attempt to be the "rock candidate".

    YouTube / ITV

    But his version of "Let Me Entertain You" was the cheesiest audition of the night. He was eventually waved through with the instruction to roughen up his act, which did not look likely.

    6. But his arena audition was the wrong type of 'rough'.

    ITV / Via youtube.com

    7. People were still allowed to perform original songs.

    YouTube / ITV

    Last year's innovation, that led to the rise of Lucy Spraggan, has been kept on. This allowed Luke Britnell, an adorable young Justin Bieber tribute artist, the chance to perform his composition 'Think Positive', a cheesy but good-hearted acoustic number which charmed the judges.

    8. Unfortunately when Luke left the originals behind, he didn't fare so well.

    ITV / Via youtube.com

    Learning the hard way not to mix acoustic guitars and Get Lucky.

    9. The sob stories remained intact.

    YouTube / ITV

    17-year-old Hannah Barrett arrived with a tragic back-story. Her father, who raised her on soul music, died two years ago, and a fractious relationship with her mother has seen her thrown out of home and living in a charitable housing project for young people. But her cracked, soulful performance of Emelie Sande's "Read All About It" proved the highlight of week one, putting a passionate new twist on the most overplayed song of last year.

    10. As did the 'wobbly' bits.

    ITV / Via youtube.com

    Tamera Foster had auditioned as part of a duo, but was asked to come back solo. She wobbled, and blanked on the words. But through the support of her family, and the crowd, she rallied.

    11. Which meant we got to see Gary singing along to Whitney Houston.

    ITV / Via youtube.com

    12. Some Twitter users tired of the sob story narrative, leading to this.

    Luke Brown @gr4sshopp3r

    I live 20 minutes from from Essex and I was never breastfed. #XFactorSobStory

    Reply Retweet Favorite

    Luke Brown

    @gr4sshopp3r

    I live 20 minutes from from Essex and I was never breastfed. #XFactorSobStory

    / Via

    13. As well as this.

    The X Factor Nana @TheXFactorNana

    I'm worn out here! Cowell's disguised me as 3 different Nanas to film something he calls background colour. It's exploitation #XFactor

    Reply Retweet Favorite

    The X Factor Nana

    @TheXFactorNana

    I'm worn out here! Cowell's disguised me as 3 different Nanas to film something he calls background colour. It's exploitation #XFactor

    / Via

    14. But as ever, it was the performances that came from nowhere that stole the show.

    YouTube / ITV

    35-year-old prison officer Sam Bailey thought she was too old for the process and looks like she struggles with self-esteem. So as is X Factor tradition, her performance of Beyonce's "Listen" gave the judges their "where did that come from?" moment.

    15. And as Sam continued to thrive in the arena auditions, she cemented exactly why the show is still around.

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