Smallscreen - The X Factor

The X Factor is a reality competition and music talent show franchise originating in the United Kingdom, where it followed the popular Pop Idol series.

The competitions feature aspiring pop singers drawn from public auditions.

The "X Factor" of the title refers to the certain "something" that makes for star quality. The prize is usually a recording contract.

The format creator is Simon Cowell who also judges and mentors on the UK series.

TV information

Cast

Merchandise

Related Articles

Britney Spears signs on to X Factor

Paula Abdul, Nicole Scherzinger do not work out for X Factor

Paula Abdul, Nicole Scherzinger, Steve Jones out on X Factor UPDATE

Changes afoot for 'X Factor'? Schedule and notes

Melanie Amaro first USA 'The X Factor' champion

'The X Factor' Marcus Canty cut from competition

X-Factor recap (UK) - The Final Saturday Show

Horrible TV: 'X Factor' ousted Crow makes spectacle on stage, Scherzinger is useless

The X-Factor recap - The Semi Final (UK)

The X-Factor recap (UK) - Last Five

Kelly Clarkson, Bruno Mars on special 'X Factor,' Thanksgiving week

X-Factor recap - Classic Movie Song Night (UK)

The X Factor - Pop Week recap (UK)

Meet the 2011 twelve: 'The X Factor' reupped for second season

X - Factor recap: Live Show - Rock Week (UK)

FOX ' X Factor' homes' round comes to end Tuesday Oct. 18

This Weekend's X - Factor, Best, Worst and Results - Live Show 2 (UK)

The X - Factor UK Live show bring usual tears, tantrums and mediocrity

X Factor UK: Unkind moment enrages viewers

The X Factor Spot The X! (Los Angeles)

FOX 'The X Factor' extended preview clip, details (VIDEO)

Simon Cowell talks the X Factor at the TCA's

Simon, Reid brutal on X Factor, Abdul perfect foil (VIDEO PREVIEW)

Cheryl Cole crossed off X Factor both sides of the Atlantic

FOX Upfronts: X Factor, Terra Nova, goodbye to America's Most Wanted

X Factor auditions for LA on Sunday, March 27 - details

Simon Cowell finalizes X Factor judges: L.A. Reid selected

American X Factor audition dates and details, are you going?

X Factor Auditions Mar. 27, in LA, is Nicole a better bet than Cheryl? Some thoughts

X-Factor preview for FOX, Cowell in fine form

Recap: X - Factor Finale Part Two, And The Winner Is

X-Factor Finale recap - Bye Bye Cher

The X-Factor Recap - The Semi Final plus Glee cast performance videos

The X - Factor: Rocks out, or attempts too

The X - Factor Does Crocodile Rock In Homage To Elton John

The X - Factor Recap: American Anthems Not!

X -Factor Recap - Contestants Set Vocals To Scare

X Factor - Recap: The Face Off That Should Never Have Been

Diva Fever Don’t Survive The X Factor Storm

X Factor Live Show recap, Week One

X Factor: The Final Twelve, some thoughts

Recap: X Factor Week 3, Let Storm be Storm!

X Factor - Week 2 Recap

Katy Perry And Cheryl Cole To Join US X Factor

X Factor Creators Admit To Using ‘Auto Tuning’ To Make Contestants Sound Better

Review: The X Factor

Changes Ahead For ITV1’s The X Factor

Paula Abdul, Mel B and Robbie Williams on X Factor guest spots

Sharon Osbourne hurt by kids' critics

TV mum, manager and author Sharon Osbourne gives kids reality check

Simon Cowell brings 'X Factor' to USA, leaves 'Idol' this year

Taio Cruz wants X Factor hit

Simon Cowell wants Eminem as judge for X Factor

Simon Cowell and Sting? Not so much

Leona Lewis ready for world tour

Cheryl Cole's Dannii Minogue kiss

Alexandra Burke dating Winehouse singer

Leona Lewis scarred by bizarre attack, fears for safety

Whitney Houston's 'X Factor' wardrobe malfunction, video

Leona Lewis sucker punched at book signing, video

X-Factored: Simon Cowell blasts Beatles

Cheryl Cole's X Factor food

Can we trade 'Idol' for 'X Factor' please?

X-Factor Smack: Dermot O'Leary and Simon Cowell

Cheryl Cole's X Factor wardrobe fortune

American 'X-Factor' to feature Cheryl Cole?

X-Factor drama: Simon Cowell shafted by Lorenzo

Alexandra Burke's US record deal

Lionel Richie snubbed by Alexandra

X-Factor slight: Neil Tennant blasts judge Simon Cowell

X Factor winner has Moss on her side

Simon Cowell quashes UK media Britney blasts for 'X-Factor'

Britney Spears' UK shame

'X-factor': Mariah Carey's toilet time inspirational

Simon Cowell and Terri Seymour split

Simon Cowell's Outstanding award

X Factor's Leon Jackson's Lemmy life

Cheryl Cole takes over Osbourne's X Factor spot

Sharon Osbourne and the X Factor part ways

X Factor drama: Leona Lewis' Jamelia blast

X Factor triangle: Simon, Danii and Sharon

Gareth Gates' X Factor