Top 10 most memorable talent show winners revealed
Do you remember them?
Last updated 5th Oct 2017
As millions of people sit down every weekend to watch TV talent shows, sofa specialists ScS have revealed the top 10 most memorable talent show performances, with acts from Strictly Come Dancing and The X Factor dominating the list.
The research has also found that The X Factor is the UK's most memorable talent show, whilst The Voice the least memorable.
The X Factor winner and theatre star Joe McElderry is the most recognisable talent show contestant, however he isn't the most memorable winner from all of the talent shows that have been on our TV screens in recent years.
According to the research Pop Idol winner Michelle McManus is the second most recognisable talent show contestant, however the 2003 winner also has some celebrity doppelgangers with many people incorrectly identifying her as Peter Kay’s fictional character Geraldine Mcqueen or The X Factor winner Sam Bailey!
With this year's Strictly Come Dancing contestant Alexandra Burke rated highly in the list Vicki Burns from ScS says, "it will be interesting to see if her popularity carries over to the Strictly ballroom over the upcoming weeks.
"Whatever the case we’re sure our love of super Saturday TV nights will continue to be a real hit with people across the nation."
Check out the Top 10 most memorable talent show performances below:
10. Darren Gough
Cricketer Darren Gough won the third series of Strictly Come Dancing back in 2005 with his dance partner Lilia Kopylova. The pair's last performances were the Foxtrot and Paso Doble, which they received 36 points for each.
9. Matt Cardle
Matt won the seventh series of The X Factor and his debut single 'When We Collide' reached number 1 in the UK becoming the second best-selling single of 2010.
Here he is pictured with his mentor Dannii Minogue.
8. Shayne Ward
Shayne Ward won The X Factor in 2005 and his debut single 'That's My Goal' became the Christmas number 1 shortly after release. He now plays the part of Aidan Connor in Coronation Street.
7. Joe McElderry
Winning the sixth season of The X Factor, Joe was also crowned the winner of the second series of Popstar to Operastar in 2011, and the first series of The Jump in 2014. Joe's winning song was Miley Cyrus' 'The Climb'.
6. Sam Bailey
Sam rose to fame during the 10th series of The X Factor, eventually winning the series and releasing a cover of Demi Lovato's 'Skyscraper' as her debut single which became the Christmas number 1. In March this year she started her 'Sing My Heart Out' tour in the UK.
5. James Arthur
James Arthur won the ninth series of The X Factor in 2012 performing 'Let's Get It On' and 'Impossible'. After winning he then went on to release 'Impossible' as his debut single which went to number 1.
4. Little Mix
Since auditioning separately for the eighth series of The X Factor, Little Mix have made waves all over the world. They became the first and only group to date to win the talent show, performing 'Don't Let Go (Love)', 'Silent Night' and 'Cannonball' during the final live show.
3. Alesha Dixon
She rose to fame as part of Mis-Teeq and later as a solo artist, but it's her performance on Strictly Come Dancing that has placed her at number 3 in the most memorable moments of TV talent shows. Despite early nerves Alesha went on to win the 2007 series of Strictly Come Dancing and to date she is the most successful contestant to take place.
2. Alexandra Burke
She's currently starring in Strictly Come Dancing, but Alexandra is best known for winning the fifth series of The X Factor in 2008. She has enjoyed success with songs such as 'Bad Boys' and 'Broken Heels', becoming one of the most successful winners of the series. As well as her hit singles she has appeared in the West End taking over the role of Rachel Marron in The Bodyguard and also the lead role of Deloris Van Cartier in the Sister Act The Musical.
1. Leona Lewis
Back in 2006 Leona Lewis won the third series of The X Factor. During the live final Leona performed 'I Will Always Love You', 'A Million Love Songs' with Take That, 'All by Myself' and 'A Moment Like This'. She has gone on to release five studio albums and nine top 10 hits.