Wannabe popstars are today out in their thousands to the Manchester auditions for the X Factor’s 11th series.
Emirates Old Trafford is playing host to the auditions where contestants will have to win the hearts and minds of judges Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole, Louis Walsh and latest addition to the panel, Mel B.
Music mogul Cowell has been tweeting ahead of the auditions, and judging his Twitter feed it’s fair to say that he seems rather worried.
Just arrived in Manchester. We start X Factor auditions tomorrow, Gulp.
— Simon Cowell (@SimonCowell) June 16, 2014
Considering the past, present and inevitable future drama to ensue maybe he has a right to be nervous.
One immediate cause for concern will no doubt be his controversial Spice Girl judge.
The artist formally known as Scary Spice has been known to ruffle feathers with her no nonsense brutal honesty and has been regularly booed by studio audiences during appearances as a guest judge for the show.
All four Judges are here. @SimonCowell‘s ready to take his seat. Good luck to all those facing the XFactor room today pic.twitter.com/FehiX8e7Te
— The X Factor (@TheXFactor) June 16, 2014
Manchester auditions had to be pushed back due to Mel B’s hectic schedule, as she is currently a judge on The Voice Kids in Australia.
By the time she hears the first X Factor hopeful sing she will have endured a 23-hour flight and won’t be pulling any punches.
But it’s not just Mel B’s first day though, as Radio 1Xtra DJ Sarah-Jane Crawford starts as the new presenter for the Xtra Factor, replacing Caroline Flack.
She tweeted excitedly on Sunday evening as she geared up for the challenge ahead of her.
Fun times today shooting in Manchester – the REAL fun starts tomorrow though. Bring on day 1 of #xfactor #auditions pic.twitter.com/ZgigkVp6v0
— Sarah-Jane Crawford (@DJSarahJane) June 15, 2014
After four years away Cheryl Cole is making her return to the talent competition. This is the first time she and Simon have worked together following the fallout when he publicly dropped the Girls Aloud singer from X Factor USA.
The pair are now on good terms and apparently it’s Louis Walsh that Cheryl’s got beef with these days.
Walsh is well known for his catty banter with Cheryl, but after time apart things may have turned ugly between them.
She’s back! @CherylCole takes a moment to chat to the fans. #xfactor pic.twitter.com/r4yaEyZ6C4
— The X Factor (@TheXFactor) June 16, 2014
X Factor sources have confirmed that Cheryl will have the coveted spot beside Simon to avoid any awkward clashes with the former Westlife manager.
The last time Simon, Cheryl and Louis were together for auditions in Manchester, they discovered Harry Styles, Zayn Malik and, Louis Tomlinson who went on to join Liam Payne and Niall Horan to become the world’s most famous boy band One Direction.
Other stars that originally auditioned in Manchester include Rebecca Ferguson, Shayne Ward and Misha B.
She had a taste a couple of years back now she’s here for a full series. It’s @OfficialMelB spicing up the panel. pic.twitter.com/MXs2ZCop7K
— The X Factor (@TheXFactor) June 16, 2014
Image courtesy of ITV via YouTube, with thanks
