Original stars of The X Factor: Celebrity - Where are they now?
The final of The X Factor: Celebrity is on Saturday 30th November!
Last updated 26th Nov 2019
The X Factor has always been a Saturday night staple, but can you cast your mind back to the forgotten gem that was the original Celebrity X Factor?
While having celebrities on the show this year is ITV bosses most genius idea yet, some of you will remember THAT Battle of the Stars edition that seemed to have got lost in the whirlwind that was noughties television.
That's right, back in 2006 Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh judged a bunch of television stars, with EastEnders star Lucy Benjamin as the crowned winner and taking home the winnings for her chosen charity.
But where are these wannabe pop-stars now?
The X Factor: Battle of the Stars - where are they now?
Lucy Benjamin
Lucy beat Matt Stevens to win the series, and has remained on our TV screens ever since. As well as jumping in and out of EastEnders storylines, she has been on Mr&Mrs, I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, and even starred in the West End show Hairspray.
Matt Stevens
After the competition, Matt continued to play rugby until January 2009 when he tested positive for drug use and faced a two year ban. Once this had been lifted he returned back to South Africa to join the Sharks.
The Chefs
After coming fifth, The Chefs did not carry on making music. Jean-Christophe Novelli appeared on many television shows such as Family Fortunes, Countryfile and The Apprentice, as well as launching his recipe book Simply Novelli in 2013.
Aldo Zilli has worked with various companies such as Thompson Airways and Kraft Foods to prepare recipes, as well as becoming a brand ambassador for CocoPacific in 2016.
Paul Rakin has been a regular chef on BBC cookery programme Ready Steady Cook and has recently bought a restaurant on the Isle-Of-Skye.
Ross Burden sadly passed away in 2014 due to an infection relating to treatment for Leukemia.
Nikki Sanderson
While she didn't carry on with her music career, Nikki stayed on our TV screens starring in Heartbeat, Hollyoaks, and won the Best Actress award at the British Soap Awards in 2014.
James and Rebecca
The Battle of The Stars wasn't enough competition for Rebecca Loos as she went on to take part in the Spanish show Survivor and Sky TV's Cirque de Celebrite.
James Hewitt's career seemed to quieten down after the competition, with his only TV appearance being Top Gear in the same year. James unfortunately suffered from a heart attack and stroke in 2017. He is said to have recovered well.
Michelle Marsh
Placing seventh in The Battle of the Stars didn't put Michelle off, as she released the tune that was 'I Don't Do' only a few months after the competition. She played minor roles in a few television series for the next couple of years, until 2010 when she announced she was planning on focusing on her children and developing her singing career.
Gillian McKeith
After Battle of the Stars, Gillian was given many opportunities within reality television. While she may have starred in programmes such as Supersize vs Superskinny and Celebrity Big Brother, but can anything really top her performance on I'm A Celebrity?
Debbie and Paul
Coming last in The Battle of the Stars did not discourage Debbie from competitions, as she went on to take part in Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Masterchef.
Paul Daniels unfortunately passed away in 2016 due to a brain tumour.
The final of The X Factor: Celebrity will take place on Saturday 30th November, with The Chase star Jenny Ryan, reality star Megan McKenna, Max and Harvey, and social media super group V5 hoping to win that all-important record deal.
Check out everything you need to know about The X Factor: Celebrity right here.
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