What's Hot? TV.

X Factor.

The X Factor has always been a popular television show in the UK but ever since the last series and Simon Cowell's decision to create X Factor USA there seems to have been an awful lot of press about the show and it's contestants. As most of you will have heard, there was a huge debacle over whether or not Cheryl Cole would be a judge on the new American X Factor and launch her career over the big pond. After a couple of episodes she was axed from the show and word has it that she is still not on speaking terms with Simon Cowell. Apparently she was replaced because her Jeordie accent was hard to understand, but of course they quickly denied this to avoid the risk of being sued for discrimination. Her replacement was Nicole Scherzinger, who made a guest appearance in the last series, and is apparently a better judge for the show and will bring it more publicity as she has a higher profile in the US.

As a result of the launch of the X Factor in the USA, neither Simon Cowell nor Cheryl Cole will be returning for this year's X Factor and the new judging panel has been revealed. This year we can expect the return of Louis Walsh and he is joined by three newbies: Kelly Rowland, Gary Barlow and Tulisa from NDubz. Personally, I don't think these people are very suitable judges. It would be good to see Louis back, but without Simon we've lost the competition between the two that the X Factor was known for. Gary Barlow has quite a lot of experience in the music industry but we shall have to wait and see as for whether he is a good judge. I'm not really looking forward to having Tulisa or Kelly Rowland on the show as I don't think that either have enough experience or wisdom to be able to judge other people's singing, nor are either that popular. We shall see what happens tonight.

X Factor 2011's new judging panel (From left to right: Gary Barlow, Tulisa, Kelly Rowland, Louis Walsh)

Although the show has even been aired yet, there already appears to be a favourite to win: Janet Devlin. She is a 16 year girl who apparently wowed the judges with her cover of 'Your Song' at her audition (to be shown this Sunday). Louis Walsh was reported to have said: 'I don't think you have any idea how good you are'. People already seem to be certain that Janet will make it to this year's final. Here's the video she uploaded to youtube, check out her channel for lots more. She indeed very good at singing and has a unique voice that has similarities to Ellie Goulding's but whether or not she will make it all the way is yet to be seen.

The new series of the X Factor begins tonight on ITV 1 at 8p.m. Don't miss it! 

UPDATE.

The Judging Panel.

I wasn't really looking forward to this year's X Factor as I thought the new judges were really going to bring the show down, but I was actually pleasantly surpirsed that the newcomers seem to do a very good job. Gary Barlow is definitely the new Simon as he's not afraid to voice his opinion and he basically says it how it is. He seems to be extremely harsh and his views are usually black and white - love or hate, there seems to be no inbetween. As I said before, I thought he would be good because of his experience in this industry (over 20 years), and I was right, since Take That have been together, broken up, lost Robbie, come back, gained Robbie... it's been a roller coaster for them! So he offers great perspective on the ups and downs of the music world. As for Tulisa, I've realised that she worked incredibly hard to get to where she is today. She became a part of NDubz when she was just 11 and now at 23 she is not only part of a group that has had several chart topping singles but also the youngest judge that the X Factor has ever seen. She seems to judge the contestants fairly and is definitely the new Cheryl. Kelly Rowland seems like a good judge of character and offers some sound advice to the contestants. As she's from the US where things are bigger (but not necessarily better!) she knows what it's like to make it to the big time. Especially since she was part of Destiny's Child alongside Beyonce and now has a very successful career as a solo artist. Louis Walsh is... well Louis Walsh. He's formed some of the greatest bands including Westlife, he was also the mentor for X Factor runners up JLS - now a very successful boyband, so he offers experience from the other side to producing music - the managing, so he too, knows what you need to be a star.

Looks like it's going to be an interesting series with already some thoroughly entertaining, yet slightly disturbing, performances from our fellow British citizens and with a great judging panel on hand, we're sure to find a star!

The X Factor will be back tomorrow night (Sunday 21st August 2011), on ITV 1.