The show is primarily concerned with identifying singing talent, though appearance, personality, stage presence and dance routines are also an important element of many performances. For series 1–3 the competition was split into three categories: Solo Singers aged 16–24, Solo Singers aged 25 and over, and Vocal Groups (including duos). In series 4–5, the age limit was lowered from 16 to 14, creating a 14–24 age group. This was split into separate male and female sections, making four categories in all: 14–24 males ("Boys"), 14–24 females ("Girls"), Over 25s, and Groups. For series 6, the age limit returned to 16, meaning the four categories were: 16–24 males ("Boys"), 16–24 females ("Girls"), Over 25s, and Groups. In series 7, the age group boundaries were changed, and the Over 25s became Over 28s, with Boys and Girls categories becoming 16–27.
There are five stages to The X Factor competition:
• Stage 1: Producers' auditions (these auditions decide who will sing in front of the judges)
• Stage 2: Judges' auditions
• Stage 3: Boot camp
• Stage 4: Visits to judges' houses
• Stage 5: Live shows (finals)
Auditions
A round of first auditions is held in front of producers months before the show is aired, either by application and appointment, or at "open" auditions that anyone can attend. These auditions, held at various venues around the UK, attract very large crowds. The auditions themselves are not televised, but shots of crowds waving and "judges' cars" arriving are filmed and later spliced in with the televised auditions shot later in the year. The production team supply the crowds with "home-made" signs. After waiting at the venue for hours and filming more inserts of screaming and waving, candidates are given a brief audition by someone from the production team. Should they pass that audition (either for reasons of talent or for the potential of making entertaining television) they are given a "golden ticket" allowing them to sing to a more senior production member. Only candidates who successfully pass that second audition are invited to perform to the judges. The televised version misrepresents the process by implying that the entire huge crowds are all interviewed by the judges.[
A selection of the auditions in front of the judges – usually the best, the worst and the most bizarre (described by judge Louis Walsh as "the good, the bad and the ugly") – are broadcast over the first few weeks of the show. In the first five series, each act entered the audition room and delivered a stand-up unaccompanied performance of their chosen song to the judges. In series 6 (2009), the judges' auditions were held in front of a live audience and the acts sang over a backing track. If a majority of the judges (two in series 1–3 or three in series 4–6) say "yes" then the act goes through to the next stage, otherwise the act is sent home.
Over 50,000 people auditioned for series 1, around 75,000 for series 2and around 100,000 for series 3. The number of applicants for series 4 reached 150,000, 182,000people auditioned for series 5, and a record 200,000 people applied for series 6. In 2010, applicants for the seventh series were given the opportunity to apply by uploading a video audition to the Internet.
Boot camp and visits to judges' houses
The contestants selected at auditions are further refined through a series of performances at "boot camp", and then at the "judges' houses", until a small number eventually progress to the live finals (nine in series 1 and twelve from series 2 onwards). Judge Louis Walsh revealed in November 2007 that the houses the contestants visit do not actually belong to the judges, but are rented for the purpose. During these stages, the producers allocate each of the judges a category to mentor. In early series this allocation took place after completion of the auditions and prior to boot camp, but from series 4 all four judges have worked together at the boot camp. They collectively choose 24 acts (six from each category) for the next round, and only then find out which category they are to mentor. The judges then disband for the "visits to the judges' houses" round, where their six acts are reduced to three for the live shows. In series 7, a total of thirty-two acts will go through to judges' houses, giving each judge eight acts instead of six.
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