The X Factor winners: Where are they now?
It's been on since 2004!
TV talent show The X Factor has been on our screens since 2004 and has since created 14 winners, and many more stars. With the 2018 final taking place on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd of December, we've decided to take a look back at all of The X Factor winners to date.
From the first ever winner Steve Brookstein to last year's winners Rak-Su, there have been some incredible winners... and some who didn't quite make it after their stint on the show.
Eight boys have won The X Factor, including the likes of Geordie boy Joe McElderry, painter and decorator Matt Cardle and singer turned actor Shayne Ward.
Four girls have won the show, Leona Lewis, Alexandra Burke, Sam Bailey and 19-year-old Louisa Johnson, who was the youngest ever person to win at the age of just 17 back in 2015.
Only two groups have ever won the show! Back in 2011 girl band Little Mix, made up of Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jesy Nelson and Jade Thirlwall, created history when Tulisa mentored them to victory with the single 'Cannonball'. Then last year, boyband Rak-Su were crowned the winners when they performed original tracks during the live shows.
The 2018 final takes place on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd December, with Scarlett Lee, Anthony Russell and Dalton Harris battling it out to be crowned the winner.
Check out all of the singles released by X Factor winners:
2004: Steve Brookstein - 'Against All Odds' (Over 25s)
Steve Brookstein's winning single debuted at Number 2 in the UK charts behind Band Aid 20's 'Do They Know It's Christmas', the following week it went to Number 1.
2005: Shayne Ward - 'That's My Goal' (16–24s)
Shayne Ward was the second winner of the competition and released an original song - whereas most winners released the covers. 'That's My Goal' became the fastest-selling song of 2005!
2006: Leona Lewis - 'A Moment Like This' (16–24s)
According to reports, 1 million copies of the single were pre-ordered by stores and it was downloaded 50,000 times within 30 minutes of being available online! It reached Number 1 in both the UK singles and download charts.
2007: Leon Jackson - 'When You Believe' (Boys)
The single was another successful winners' single getting to Number 1 in the UK and becoming a Christmas Number 1.
2008: Alexandra Burke - 'Hallelujah' (Girls)
Alexandra's 'Hallelujah' became a Christmas Number 1 for the fifth X Factor winner.
2009: Joe McElderry - 'The Climb' (Boys)
After winning the competition, Joe McElderry's version of 'The Climb' went to Number 1 in the UK. The song was a cover of the Miley Cyrus song which was also released in the same year and featured in Hannah Montana: The Movie.
2010: Matt Cardle - 'When We Collide' (Boys)
Matt Cardle won the seventh series of The X Factor and released his cover of 'When We Collide' (original title - 'Many of Horror'). The song reached Number 1 in the UK and became the second bestselling single of 2010.
2011: Little Mix - 'Cannonball' (Groups)
They might be releasing Number 1 songs here, there and everywhere, but back in 2011 Little Mix won The X Factor and released 'Cannonball'. Unlike past winner's singles, the song wasn't released during the week of the popular Christmas Number 1 battle. The song debuted at Number 1 becoming the fastest-selling single of the year.
2012: James Arthur - 'Impossible' (Boys)
James Arthur's cover of 'Impossible' was released immediately after he won the ninth series of The X Factor. The single became the fastest-selling winning single from The X Factor!
2013: Sam Bailey - 'Skyscraper' (Over 25s)
'Skyscraper', originally sung by Demi Lovato was released by 2013's X Factor winner, Sam Bailey. The song became a Christmas Number 1 with all proceeds from the single going to Great Ormond Street Hospital and Together for Short Lives.
2014: Ben Haenow - 'Something I Need' (Over 25s)
Once again The X Factor winner hit the top spot for Christmas in 2014.
2015: Louisa Johnson - 'Forever Young' (Girls)
Louisa Johnson released her version of 'Forever Young' however, unlike many of the previous winners' singles it didn't make the top spot, only reaching Number 9 in the UK.
2016: Matt Terry - 'When Christmas Comes Around' (Boys)
Written by none-other than Ed Sheeran and Amy Wadge, 'When Christmas Comes Around' was The X Factor's second ever original song to be released as the winner's single. It debuted at Number 3 in the UK.
2017: Rak-Su - 'Dimelo' (Groups)
'Dimelo' was yet another original single to be released as an X Factor winners' single. It reached Number 2 in the UK, being kept off the top spot by Ed Sheeran's 'Perfect'.
2018: Dalton Harris featuring James Arthur - 'The Power of Love'
Find out everything you need to know about The X Factor 2018 right here.