The X Factor (British TV series) series 6#Finalists

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| header = Judges and Presenter(s) for The X Factor Series 6

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| image2 = Dannii Minogue arrives at the 58th Annual Logie Awards at Crown Palladium (26904220225) cropped.jpg

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| image3 = Cheryl Cole Cannes 2014.jpg

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During series 5, it was rumoured that Dannii Minogue would not return as a judge for series 6.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/5298427/Dannii-Minogue-to-return-to-X-Factor.html|title=Dannii Minogue to return to X Factor|date=9 May 2009|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=6 October 2014}} Spice Girls singer Victoria Beckham was reported as a replacement for Minogue.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/4509279/Simon-Cowell-asks-Victoria-Beckham-to-join-X-Factor.html?mobile=basic|title=Simon Cowell 'asks Victoria Beckham to join X Factor'|access-date=6 October 2014}} In June 2009, however, it was confirmed that Minogue, Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole and Louis Walsh would all return as judges for series 6. Walsh missed the first results show due to Boyzone member Stephen Gateley's sudden death and missed the second week due to attending Gateley's funeral.

Dermot O'Leary returned to present the main show on ITV, while Holly Willoughby returned as presenter on The Xtra Factor on ITV2. Brian Friedman returned to the show as creative director and Yvie Burnett returned as vocal coach.

{{location map+ |United Kingdom |float=right |width=200 |caption=Cities that auditions were held in. |places=

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{{location map~ |United Kingdom |lat=53.5 |long=-2.25 |label=Manchester|position=right}}

{{location map~ |United Kingdom |lat=51.45 |long=-.1|label=
London|position=left}}

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Cardiff|position=left}}

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Glasgow|position=right}}

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Auditions were held during June and July 2009 across five cities: London, Birmingham, Manchester, Cardiff and Glasgow.{{cite news|first=Dianne|last=Bourne|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1124412_x_factor_judges_20yard_car_ride|title=X Factor judges' 20-yard car ride|work=Manchester Evening News|date=4 July 2009|access-date=29 July 2009}}{{cite news|first=Andrew|last=Dagnell|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2009/07/12/cardiff-x-factor-wannabes-pour-into-cardiff-s-cia-91466-24131616/|title=Cardiff X Factor wannabes pour into Cardiff's CIA|work=Wales on Sunday|date=12 July 2009|access-date=29 July 2009}}{{cite news|first=Daniel|last=Kilkelly|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/xfactor/a165096/cowell-helps-distressed-x-factor-fan.html|title=Cowell helps distressed 'X Factor' fan|work=Digital Spy|date=14 July 2009|access-date=29 July 2009}} In a change to previous series, auditions were held in front of a live audience due to the success of a similar system on Britain's Got Talent.{{cite news|first=Alex|last=Fletcher|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/xfactor/a160112/x-factor-auditions-to-have-live-audience.html|title='X Factor' auditions to have live audience|work=Digital Spy|date=15 June 2009|access-date=29 July 2009}}{{cite news|first=Daniel|last=Kilkelly|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/xfactor/a160323/susan-boyle-inspired-x-factor-changes.html|title=Susan Boyle inspired 'X Factor' changes|work=Digital Spy|date=17 June 2009|access-date=29 July 2009}} However, Glaswegian auditionees had already been judged using the old format, meaning that they had to apply again, as their initial audition was void.{{cite news|first=Alex|last=Fletcher|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/xfactor/a161451/x-factor-contestants-to-re-audition.html|title='X Factor' contestants to re-audition|work=Digital Spy|date=22 June 2009|access-date=29 July 2009}}

As with the auditions, the "Bootcamp" selection stage was filmed in front of a live audience. Filming took place on 1 August at the HMV Hammersmith Apollo.{{cite news|first=Kate|last=McMahon|url=http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/broadcasters/x-factor-boot-camp-to-be-filmed-with-live-audience/5003949.article|title=X Factor boot camp to be filmed with live audience|work=Broadcast|date=27 July 2009|access-date=29 July 2009}} Approximately 200 acts attended bootcamp. They were initially split into groups of three, and judges gave instant decisions on who would leave based on the group performances, bringing the number of acts down to 100. The judges then cut the number of acts down to 50. Following a further set of auditions, the number of contestants was narrowed to 24. Originally, the group Trucolorz were chosen by the judges for the top 24 but were disqualified due to one of the group's members being too young for the show, and they were replaced by Harmony Hood.{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/xfactor/a179446/x-factor-group-tru-colourz-axed.html|title='X Factor' group Tru Colourz axed|work=Digital Spy|first=Alex|last=Fletcher|date=28 September 2009|access-date=28 September 2009}}

The contestants were then split into the usual four categories before the judges discovered which category they would mentor for the rest of the competition. The Boys (16–24) were mentored by Cole, Minogue had the Girls (16–24), Cowell mentored the Over 25s, and Walsh took charge of the Groups.

Each judge had help from a guest judge during the "Judges' houses" stage. Will Young assisted Cole in Marrakech, Morocco, Minogue had help from her sister Kylie Minogue in Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai,{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/arts/2009/0831/xfactor.html|title=Will Young helps Cole on The X Factor|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann|date=31 August 2009|access-date=19 September 2009}} Boyzone singer Ronan Keating helped Walsh near Lake Como in Italy, and Cowell had help from Sinitta in Los Angeles.{{cite news|url=http://www.dailystar.co.uk/playlist/view/97116/X-Factor-judge-Louis-flys-into-Milan/|title=X FACTOR JUDGE LOUIS FLYS INTO MILAN|work=Daily Mirror|first=Peter|last=Dyke|date=4 September 2009|access-date=19 September 2009}} At Judges' Houses, each act sang for their respective judge, and each judge and their guest eliminated three acts, leaving 12 acts to perform in the live shows.

;Judges Houses Performances:

• Acts in bold advanced

Boys:

• Joe: "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word"
• Lloyd: "I'm Yours"
• Daniel F: "Without You"
• Ethan: "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues"
• Duane: "Closer"
• Rikki: "You've Got a Friend"

Groups:

• Project A: "What's Up?"
• Kandy Rain: "Paparazzi"
• De-Tour: "Tiny Dancer"
• Harmony Hood: "Never Can Say Goodbye"
• Miss Frank: "Respect"
• John & Edward: "I Want It That Way"

Over 25s:

• Olly: "A Song for You"
• Treyc: "All the Man That I Need"
• Daniel P: "Praying for Time"
• Nicole L: "Up to the Mountain"
• Danyl: "Fallin'"
• Jamie: "Stop Crying Your Heart Out"

Girls:

• Stacey S:"Over the Rainbow"
• Stacey M:"Sometimes"
• Rachel:"Nobody Knows"
• Despina:"The Voice Within"
• Lucie:"Anything for You"
• Nicole J: "Lately"

Key:

:{{Color box|gold;||border=darkgray}} – Winner

:{{Color box|silver;|border=darkgray}} – Runner-Up

The live shows began on 10 October 2009, and continued through to the finale on 12 December 2009. Starting with this series, the results shows were on Sunday nights instead of Saturdays as they were for the first five series. In another change to the format of previous years, the remaining finalists performed a song as a group at the start of each results show. As previously, each week had a different song theme. Beginning with week 8 of the live shows, with five acts remaining, each contestant would sing two songs. Up to week 8, the two acts with the fewest public votes were in the bottom two and would sing again in the "final showdown". The songs they performed in the bottom two were of their own choice and did not necessarily follow that week's theme. The four judges then each chose one act from the bottom two that they wanted to be eliminated from the show. If each act received an equal number of judges' votes, the vote went to deadlock and the act with the fewest public votes was eliminated. From week 8 onwards, there was no bottom two and the act with the fewest votes was eliminated.

During each results show, either one or two guest artists would perform. Series 5 winner Alexandra Burke and Robbie Williams performed on the first live results show,{{Cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2009/09/18/robbie-williams-to-launch-comeback-on-x-factor-115875-21683455/|title=Robbie Williams to launch comeback on X Factor|work=Daily Mirror|first=Jody|last=Thompson|date=18 September 2009|access-date=4 October 2009}} with Whitney Houston{{Cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/xfactor/news/a181081/whitney-confirms-x-factor-performance.html|title=Whitney confirms 'X Factor' performance|work=Digital Spy|first=Nick|last=Levine|date=8 October 2009|access-date=8 October 2009}} and judge Cole on the second. Michael Bublé and Westlife appeared on the third week,{{cite news|url=http://entertainment.stv.tv/showbiz/130663-x-factor-line-up-westlife-and-michel-bubl/|title=X Factor line up Westlife and Michael Bublé|publisher=STV|date=16 October 2009|access-date=18 October 2009}} and Bon Jovi and JLS performed in week 4.{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/xfactor/news/a183174/jls-bon-jovi-to-perform-on-x-factor.html|title=JLS, Bon Jovi to perform on 'X Factor'|work=Digital Spy|first=David|last=Balls|date=22 October 2009|access-date=22 October 2009}} Leona Lewis and The Black Eyed Peas performed for week 5,{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/xfactor/news/a184441/leona-bep-confirmed-for-x-factor.html|title=Leona, BEP confirmed for 'X Factor'|date=30 October 2009|access-date=30 October 2009|work=Digital Spy|first=Alex|last=Fletcher}} while week 6 featured a performance from Shakira. Susan Boyle appeared on the show for week 7 along with Mariah Carey.{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/xfactor/a179770/boyle-to-sing-on-x-factor-in-november.html|title=Boyle 'to sing on X Factor in November'|work=Digital Spy|first=Mayer|last=Nissim|date=30 September 2009|access-date=4 October 2009}} Rihanna and Alicia Keys performed in week 8 with Janet Jackson and Lady Gaga appearing in week 9. Guests in the final were Robbie Williams, Michael Bublé and George Michael (Saturday show) and Burke, JLS, Lewis, George Michael and Paul McCartney (Sunday show). In some weeks, the guest performers also mentored the acts in the run-up to that week's live show.

The choice of musical guests on The X Factor live shows had a significant impact on the UK Singles Chart. Of the seven singles that made number one from 18 October to 19 December, six of them had done so after having been performed on an X Factor live show the previous weekend. They were, in order: "Bad Boys" by Alexandra Burke, "Fight for This Love" by Cole, "Everybody in Love" by JLS, "Meet Me Halfway" by the Black Eyed Peas, "You Are Not Alone" by the finalists and "Bad Romance" by Lady Gaga. This impact was noted by several commentators. After "Bad Romance" became the sixth song to reach Number One off the back of a performance on The X Factor, James Masterton of Yahoo! Music called the show "a guarantor of Number One hits".{{cite web|url=http://new.uk.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chartwatch/5613/week-ending-december-19th-2009/|title=Week Ending December 19th|first=James|last=Masterton|author-link=James_Masterton|date=14 December 2009|publisher=Yahoo! Music|access-date=6 September 2010}} Gennaro Castaldo of HMV remarked: "In an age when there are very few truly mass-audience platforms left, the X Factor has become pivotal for those labels and artists seeking to reach a family-based audience."{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/nov/14/is-x-factor-killing-pop|title=Is The X Factor killing pop?|first=Esther|last=Addley|date=14 November 2009|work=The Guardian|access-date=6 September 2010}} Paul Williams, editor of Music Week, explained: "The impact of the programme's incredible numbers on music sales is all too evident, with the top end of the singles and albums charts week after week since the current season began heavily dominated by whoever has been on the show."{{cite journal |last=Williams |first=Paul |editor1-first=Paul |editor1-last=Williams |date=21 November 2009 |journal=Music Week |issue=21.11.09 |page=4 |publisher=CMP |location=London |issn=0265-1548 |oclc=60620772 |title=Music week}}

;Colour key

{{Color box|#ccf||}} Act in Boys

{{Color box|pink||}} Act in Girls

{{Color box|#fffa73||}} Act in Over 25s

{{Color box|#d0f0c0||}} Act in Groups

• {{note|1|1}} On behalf of Walsh's absence, an automatic vote was cast against Rachel Adedeji, based on the usual assumption that he would vote to save his act who he mentored, Kandy Rain if he were present which typically occurs when a judge has their own act who they mentor in the final showdown.
• {{note|2|2}} Walsh did not vote due to his absence, but confirmed on the following The Xtra Factor via phone call that he would have voted to eliminate Rikki Loney.

• Theme: Musical heroes{{cite web|url=http://xfactor.itv.com/2009/music/this-weeks-songs/detail/item_100141.htm|title=Revealed! This week's songs|date=10 October 2009|publisher=itv.com|access-date=10 October 2009}}
• Guest mentor: Robbie Williams
• Group performance: "I Gotta Feeling"
• Musical guests: Alexandra Burke featuring Flo Rida ("Bad Boys") and Robbie Williams ("Bodies")
• Best bits song: "Emotion"

Walsh was absent from the Sunday night results show due to the sudden death of Boyzone singer and close friend Stephen Gately, whom he managed.{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/xfactor/a181534/walsh-will-not-appear-on-x-factor.html|title=Walsh 'will not appear on X Factor'|work=Digital Spy|first=Catriona|last=Wightman|date=11 October 2009|access-date=11 October 2009}} Due to this, the show did not take its usual format; there were no lights and neither O'Leary nor the three other judges made an entrance. Instead, the show commenced with O'Leary already on stage and the judges already sitting at their desk. Both O'Leary and Cowell addressed the viewers and audience regarding Gately's death and Walsh's absence.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8302173.stm|title=Kandy Rain first out of X Factor|date=12 October 2009|work=BBC News|access-date=17 October 2009}} Following this, the show went on as normal with Minogue, Cowell and Cole present as judges.

;Judges' votes to eliminate

• Walsh: Rachel Adedeji – despite his absence, an automatic vote was cast to save Kandy Rain based on the usual assumption that he would have voted to save his own act.
• Minogue: Kandy Rain – backed her own act, Rachel Adedeji.
• Cole: Kandy Rain – gave no reason.
• Cowell: Rachel Adedeji – said that Kandy Rain had not been given a "fair crack" in the competition and was interested in seeing them for a second week.

With the acts in the bottom two receiving two votes each, the result went to deadlock and reverted to the earlier public vote. Kandy Rain were eliminated as the act with the fewest public votes.

• Theme: Divas
• Guest mentors: Whitney Houston and Clive Davis
• Group performance: "Queen of the Night"
• Musical guests: Cheryl Cole ("Fight for This Love"){{citation needed|date=January 2020}} and Whitney Houston ("Million Dollar Bill")
• Best bits song: "Chasing Cars"

Walsh was absent from both shows this weekend, again due to Stephen Gately's death. The funeral took place on 17 October and Walsh paid his respects. This statement was released: "Due to recent tragic events, Louis Walsh will not be appearing on either the Saturday or Sunday live The X Factor shows this weekend as he is attending Stephen Gately's funeral. Louis has been in close contact with his acts throughout the week, although his opinions will not be represented in the show this weekend."{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/xfactor/news/a182164/walsh-to-miss-full-x-factor-weekend.html|title=Walsh to miss full 'X Factor' weekend|work=Digital Spy|first=Alex|last=Fletcher|date=15 October 2009|access-date=17 October 2009}}

For the first time in the show's history, a contestant sang a cover version of a new song that had not yet even been sung live by the original recording artist.{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2009/10/20/whitney-houston-gives-simon-cowell-a-dressing-down-over-use-of-new-song-115875-21760596/|title=Whitney Houston gives Simon Cowell a dressing down over use of 'new' song|work=Daily Mirror|first=Clemmie|last=Moodie|date=20 October 2009|access-date=23 October 2009}} Cowell's decision for Danyl Johnson to sing "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" garnered a disapproving reception from Houston, with Cowell saying that Johnson "didn't exactly get rave reviews [from Houston and Davis] in that room [for the masterclass]."{{cite episode|title=Episode 13|series=The X Factor (series 6)|series-link=The X Factor (British TV series)|station=ITV|location=London|air-date=17 October 2009}}

;Judges' votes to eliminate

• Minogue: Rikki Loney – gave no reason but effectively backed her own act, Rachel Adedeji.
• Cole: Rachel Adedeji – backed her own act, Rikki Loney.
• Cowell: Rikki Loney – based his choice on their last performances.
• Walsh was not present for the results show, but according to a phone call on The Xtra Factor, he would have voted to eliminate Loney.

• Theme: Big band
• Guest mentor: Michael Bublé
• Group performance: "Fascination"
• Musical guests: Westlife ("What About Now") and Michael Bublé ("Cry Me a River")
• Best bits song: "Chasing Pavements"

;Judges' votes to eliminate

• Walsh: Danyl Johnson – backed his own act, Miss Frank.
• Cowell: Miss Frank – backed his own act, Danyl Johnson.
• Minogue: Miss Frank – based on the final showdown performance.
• Cole: Danyl Johnson – felt confused by the public vote and sent the result to deadlock.

With the acts in the bottom two receiving two votes each, the result went to deadlock and reverted to the earlier public vote. Miss Frank were eliminated as the act with the fewest public votes.

• Theme: Rock
• Group performance: "Walk This Way"
• Musical guests: Bon Jovi ("We Weren't Born to Follow") and JLS ("Everybody in Love")
• Best bits song: "Take a Bow"

;Judges' votes to eliminate

• Minogue: Lloyd Daniels – backed her own act, Rachel Adedeji.
• Walsh: Lloyd Daniels – called Adedeji an "amazing singer".
• Cole: Rachel Adedeji – backed her own act, Lloyd Daniels.
• Cowell: Rachel Adedeji – could not decide so chose to take the vote to deadlock; said Adedeji sang better than Daniels, but took Daniels' sore throat into account and thought the public were not accepting Adedeji after her third time in the showdown in four weeks.

With the acts in the bottom two receiving two votes each, the result went to deadlock and reverted to the earlier public vote. Adedeji was eliminated as the act with the fewest public votes.

• Theme: Songs from films
• Group performance: "Hot n Cold"
• Musical guests: The Black Eyed Peas ("Meet Me Halfway") and Leona Lewis ("Happy")
• Best bits song: "I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman"

;Judges' votes to eliminate

• Walsh: Lucie Jones – backed his own act, John & Edward.
• Minogue: John & Edward – gave no reason but effectively backed her own act, Lucie Jones.
• Cole: John & Edward – gave no reason.
• Cowell: Lucie Jones – stated that although neither act could win, he was more interested in seeing John and Edward again and that there was "a ceiling" for Jones.

With the acts in the bottom two receiving two votes each, the result went to deadlock and reverted to the earlier public vote. Jones was eliminated as the act with the fewest public votes.

• Theme: Songs by Queen{{cite news|url=http://breakingnews.iol.ie/entertainment/cowell-scraps-plans-for-x-factor-dance-week-433756.html|title=Cowell scraps plans for 'X Factor' dance week|publisher=Ireland On-Line|date=10 November 2009|access-date=10 November 2009}}
• Guest mentors: Brian May and Roger Taylor{{citation needed|date=January 2020}}
• Group performances: "Bohemian Rhapsody" (performed with Brian May and Roger Taylor){{citation needed|date=January 2020}} and "You Are Not Alone" (all finalists){{citation needed|date=April 2021}}
• Musical guest: Shakira ("Did It Again"){{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/xfactor/news/a184512/shakira-confirmed-for-x-factor.html|title=Shakira confirmed for 'X Factor'|work=Digital Spy|first=Mayer|last=Nissim|date=30 October 2009|access-date=30 October 2009}}
• Best bits song: "One"

;Judges' votes to eliminate

• Cowell: Lloyd Daniels – gave no reason but effectively backed his own act, Jamie Archer.
• Cole: Jamie Archer – backed her own act, Lloyd Daniels.
• Walsh: Jamie Archer – believed Daniels would go further in the competition.
• Minogue: Lloyd Daniels – thought Archer sang better in the final showdown.

With the acts in the bottom two receiving two votes each, the result went to deadlock and reverted to the earlier public vote. Archer was eliminated as the act with the fewest public votes.

• Theme: Songs by Wham! or George Michael{{cite web|url=http://xfactor.itv.com/2009/news/viewer/item_100241.htm|title=Wham week!|publisher=itv.com|date=18 November 2009|access-date=19 November 2009}}
• Group performance: "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go"
• Musical guests: Susan Boyle ("Wild Horses"){{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/xfactor/news/a185774/susan-boyle-to-appear-on-the-x-factor.html|title=Susan Boyle to appear on 'X Factor'|work=Digital Spy|first=Mayer|last=Nissim|date=30 October 2009|access-date=30 October 2009}} and Mariah Carey ("I Want to Know What Love Is"){{citation needed|date=April 2021}}
• Best bits song: "Let's Get Ready to Rhumble"

;Judges' votes to eliminate

• Cowell: John & Edward – backed his own act, Olly Murs.
• Cole: John & Edward – gave no reason, despite saying that she would be sad if John & Edward leave the competition.
• Walsh: Olly Murs – backed his own act, John & Edward; though expressed surprise that Murs was in the bottom two.
• Minogue: John & Edward – based on the premise that the show is a "singing competition".

However, voting statistics revealed that John & Edward received more votes than Murs which meant that if Minogue sent the result to deadlock, John & Edward would have advanced to the quarter-final and Murs would have been eliminated.

• Themes: Songs by Take That; songs by Elton John{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/xfactor/news/a188402/take-thatelton-john-theme-for-x-factor.html|title=Take That/Elton John Theme for X Factor|work=Digital Spy|date= 24 November 2009|access-date= 24 November 2009}}
• Group performance: "I Don't Feel Like Dancin'"
• Musical guests: Alicia Keys ("Empire State of Mind" / "Doesn't Mean Anything" / "No One") and Rihanna ("Russian Roulette"){{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/xfactor/news/a187541/rihanna-keys-to-perform-on-x-factor.html|title=Rihanna, Keys to perform on 'X Factor'|work=Digital Spy|date=18 November 2009|access-date=24 November 2009}}
• Best bits song: "You Give Me Something"

The quarter-final did not feature a final showdown and instead the act with the fewest public votes, Lloyd Daniels, was automatically eliminated. After his elimination, Daniels reprised his quarter-final performance of "A Million Love Songs" as his exit song.

• Themes: Songs by Michael Jackson; mentor's choice{{citation needed|date=January 2020}}
• Group performance: "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" / "Don't Stop the Music"
• Musical guests: Lady Gaga ("Bad Romance") and Janet Jackson ("All for You" / "Make Me"){{cite web|url=http://xfactor.itv.com/2009/news/viewer/item_100266.htm|title=Janet Jackson and Lady GaGa confirmed!|date=27 November 2009|access-date=29 November 2009|publisher=itv.com}}
• Best bits song: "What About Now"

The semi-final did not feature a final showdown and instead the act with the fewest public votes, Danyl Johnson, was automatically eliminated. After his elimination, Johnson reprised his semi-final performance of "Man in the Mirror" as his exit song.

12 December

• Themes: Audition songs; celebrity duets; mentor's favourite performance ("song of the series"){{cite web|url=http://xfactor.itv.com/2009/music/this-weeks-songs/detail/item_100300.htm|title=Revealed! Tonight's songs|publisher=itv.com|date=12 December 2009|access-date=13 December 2009}}
• Musical guest: Robbie Williams ("You Know Me")
• Best bits song: "What a Wonderful World"

The show also featured Jeff Brazier reporting from Solomon's home town of Dagenham, Michael Underwood in Colchester for Murs and Kimberley Walsh in McElderry's home town of South Shields.

13 December

• Themes: Favourite performance ("song of the series"); winner's single
• Group performance: "Never Forget" (all finalists)
• Musical guests: Alexandra Burke and JLS ("Bad Boys" / "Everybody in Love"), Leona Lewis ("Stop Crying Your Heart Out"), George Michael ("December Song (I Dreamed of Christmas)"), Paul McCartney ("Drive My Car" and "Live and Let Die" ){{citation needed|date=January 2020}}
• Best bits songs: "Red" (Olly Murs) & "The World's Greatest" (Joe McElderry)

This series of The X Factor was sponsored by TalkTalk and featured break bumpers pioneered by CHI & Partners, showing light graffiti set against night-time backdrops across the United Kingdom. Part of the deal, which applied to ITV, ITV2 and the programme's website, saw TalkTalk customers having the chance to design the break bumpers and download exclusive content.{{cite news|first=Camille|last=Alarcon|url=http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/talktalk-to-sponsor-the-x-factor/3003028.article|title=TalkTalk to sponsor The X Factor|work=Marketing Week|date=3 August 2009|access-date=8 August 2009}} In the Republic of Ireland, the series was sponsored by Domino's Pizza.

The first episode, which was broadcast on 22 August and showed the first set of auditions, attracted 9.9 million viewers; 47.9% of the viewing audience and the largest number of viewers within its timeslot.{{cite news|first=Neil|last=Wilkes|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a173250/the-x-factor-opens-to-99-million.html|title='The X Factor' opens to 9.9 million|work=Digital Spy|date=23 August 2009|access-date=24 August 2009}} One week later, 9.75 million people viewed the second episode; a 47.1% share of the TV audience.{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a174864/x-factor-maintains-ratings-pace.html|title='X Factor' maintains ratings pace|first=Neil|last=Wilkes|work=Digital Spy|date=31 August 2009|access-date=31 August 2009}} The third episode averaged 11.76 million viewers and a 51.9% audience share.{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a176025/x-factor-grows-audience-by-2-million.html|title='X Factor' grows audience by 2 million|first=Neil|last=Wilkes|work=Digital Spy|date=6 September 2009|access-date=7 September 2009}} Episode four attracted 10.26 million viewers.{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a177240/latest-x-factor-draws-103-million.html |title=Latest 'X Factor' draws 10.3 million |work=Digital Spy |first=Neil |last=Wilkes |date=14 September 2009 |access-date=16 September 2009}} The fifth episode, which was scheduled directly against Strictly Come Dancing drew in about 9.27 million viewers, compared to 7.72 for Strictly.{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a178224/x-factor-wins-ratings-battle-with-strictly.html |title=X Factor' wins ratings battle with 'Strictly |work=Digital Spy |first=Neil |last=Wilkes |date=20 September 2009 |access-date=7 October 2009}} The X Factor reached a record high number of viewers for the second and third results shows on 18 and 25 October, scoring 14.8 million viewers each.{{cite news|url=http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/ratings/x-factor-hits-record-148m-high/5007024.article|title=X Factor hits record 14.8m high|work=Broadcast|first=Kate|last=McMahon|date=19 October 2009|access-date=19 October 2009}} This was beaten on 8 November when the fifth results show peaked at 16.6 million people.

The final episode peaked with 19.1 million viewers when Joe McElderry was announced as the winner.{{cite news|first=Dan|last=French|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a191274/joe-mcelderrys-x-factor-win-draws-191m.html|title=Joe McElderry's 'X Factor' win draws 19.7m|work=Digital Spy|date=14 December 2009|access-date=14 December 2009}}

On 2 August 2009, The People reported that some bootcamp contestants felt they had been poorly treated by the show's producers; one compared the experience with that of a concentration camp and another claimed that those competing were only allowed to use the toilet twice a day.{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/xfactor/a168818/x-factor-stars-reveal-boot-camp-woes.html|title='X Factor' stars reveal boot camp woes|work=Digital Spy|first=Daniel|last=Kilkelly|date=2 August 2009|access-date=4 August 2009}} However, a spokesperson for the programme denied the claims, saying "Yes, it was long hours but they knew what they were signing up for. The hopefuls got breakfast at the hotel and decent food throughout the day".

This season's audition format, in which the auditions were held in front of a studio audience, was criticised by fans, by Cole and by certain former contestants. These included Alexandra Burke, who branded it "too intimidating", and the members of JLS who stated it detracted from the intimacy of the auditions.{{Cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2009/09/29/x-factor-judge-cheryl-cole-hints-she-prefers-old-audition-format-115875-21709928|title=X Factor judge Cheryl Cole hints she prefers old audition format|work=Daily Mirror|date=29 September 2009|access-date=16 October 2009}}

The show was criticised in September 2009 for "recycling" contestants, as three singers from the final 24 acts had already been in pop bands, two had auditioned for The X Factor in previous years and one had appeared on Britain's Got Talent.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/x-factor/6238257/X-Factor-one-in-four-acts-former-contestants-or-pop-stars.html|title=X Factor: one in four acts 'former contestants or pop stars'|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=28 September 2009|access-date=28 September 2009}}

Controversy began after the first live show on 10 October, after Minogue commented on press reports regarding Danyl Johnson's sexuality, sparking an online backlash.{{cite web|url=http://unrealityshout.com/blogs/dannii-minogue-outing-danyl-johnson-gay |title=Dannii Minogue outing Danyl Johnson as gay |publisher=Unreality Shout |access-date=11 October 2009 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091014132901/http://unrealityshout.com/blogs/dannii-minogue-outing-danyl-johnson-gay |archive-date=14 October 2009 }} Minogue released a statement on her comments:

"I want to clear up exactly what happened on last night's X Factor show and post my sincere apologies to anyone who took offense {{sic}}. I made a comment about Danyl changing the lyrics of his song. It was meant to be a humorous moment about the fact he has an opportunity to have fun with his song. An openly bi-sexual singing a song that is lyrically a 'girl's song'. Danyl and I were joking about the very same thing in rehearsals on Friday, so it carried on to the show. I'd like to apologise to anyone that was offended by my comments, it was never my intention. I spoke to Danyl straight after the show last night and he wasn't offended or upset by my comments, and knew exactly what I was saying."{{cite web|url=http://danniiminogueofficial.blogspot.com/2009/10/official-statement-dannii-minogue-danyl_11.html |title=OFFICIAL STATEMENT: Dannii Minogue & Danyl Johnson |publisher=Danniiminogueofficial.blogspot.com |date=11 October 2009 |access-date=11 October 2009}}

Minogue also apologised on the live results show on 11 October, saying Danyl was not upset by her comments.{{cite news|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5hza__4o-kfaICJ2D03uoLW88UupQ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091014134124/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5hza__4o-kfaICJ2D03uoLW88UupQ |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 October 2009 |title=SORRY FOR JOKE: Dannii Minogue & Danyl Johnson |publisher=TPA hosted by Google|date=11 October 2009 |access-date=11 October 2009}} It has since been reported that Ofcom received around 4000 complaints from viewers over the comment.{{Cite news|url=http://www.heatworld.com/Article/12567/Dannii-Minogue/Dannii’s-Danyl-disaster|title=Dannii's Danyl disaster|work=Heat|publisher=Bauer Verlagsgruppe|date=15 October 2009|access-date=15 October 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091018045342/http://www.heatworld.com/Article/12567/Dannii-Minogue/Dannii%E2%80%99s-Danyl-disaster|archive-date=18 October 2009}}

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Category:2009 in British television

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Category:2009 British television seasons

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