X Factor ‘AXED’: A look back at the show’s iconic celebrity performances

In its heyday, The X Factor became as well-known for its superstar final collaborations as it did for its rags-to-riches contestants and glamorous judges.

As the plug is reportedly pulled on X Factor following 17 years of chart-topping hits, Christmas number ones and catfights – MailOnline takes a look back at the most glittering celebrity performances from the iconic reality show…

X FACTOR 2008 – BEYONCE AND ALEXANDRA BURKE

The 2008 final saw X Factor bosses secure their biggest celebrity collaborator to date when Destiny’s Child legend Beyoncé Knowles teamed up with ultimate winner Alexandra Burke for an unforgettable duet of Listen.

Alexandra, then 19 and a Beyoncé super-fan, was facing off against boyband JLS in the final, and shocked and amazed fans when she tearfully announced the Crazy In Love hitmaker would join her on-stage.

What followed saw vocal powerhouses Beyoncé and Alexandra cement their place in X Factor history – with a sobbing Alexandra going on to win the show over JLS (who had duetted with Irish boyband Westlife.)

Beyoncé was reportedly paid an eye-popping £1million to perform on the night. 

 X FACTOR 2009 – GEORGE MICHAEL AND JOE MCELDERRY

The following year’s series saw the music legends continuing to flock to the reality show when George Michael joined eventual winner Joe McElderry on stage for a duet of Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me.

Joe, then 18, who had proclaimed the Wham! hitmaker was his inspiration, was in awe as George joined him on-stage for the powerful duet – with Joe going on to win the title over Olly Murs, who duetted with Robbie Williams.  

George said after the performance: ‘I think he rose to the occasion. 

‘I think he’s got a great future but Iwish good luck to all three contestants. They are under an amazing amount of pressure. Theyhave to do this and meet people like us on the same night. ‘

George tragically died in 2016 aged 53. 

X FACTOR 2009 – ROBBIE WILLIAMS AND OLLY MURS

That same night, Olly Murs, now a successful singer and The Voice judge, realised one of his dreams when he duetted with the iconic Take That singer for a duet of Angels. 

Despite a slight technical hiccup at the start when Robbie began singing too early, Robbie made up for the blunder by throwing his arms repeatedly around the then 25-year-old as they belted out the song and then praising him to the hilt after they had finished.

Robbie then led the audience in a round of ‘Olly, Olly, Olly’

Olly gushed after the performance: ‘That was fantastic. He’s an absolute legend.’

 X FACTOR 2010 – ROBBIE WILLIAMS AND ONE DIRECTION 

Although they would soon become one of the most successful recording artists in history, back in 2010, One Direction were one of four acts vying to become X Factor champions on final night (alongside Matt Cardle, Rebecca Ferguson and Cher Lloyd.)

The band collaborated with X Factor friend Robbie Williams for a sweet rendition of She’s The One on the night.

Robbie showed his support for One Direction, proclaiming: ‘Vote, come on the lads!’ after the performance, before having a group huddle with the boys. 

Although they lost to Matt Cardle – the quintet have cemented their place in recording history with record sales of more than 70million worldwide.

X FACTOR 2010 – RIHANNA AND MATT CARDLE

Global superstar Rihanna and eventual series winner Matt Cardle set tongues wagging with their sizzling duet to her hit, Unfaithful.

The pair stared into one another’s eyes and even embraced onstage – with Matt later confessing he wished he had kissed the star during the song.   

Talking to Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby on This Morning, the former painter and decorator Matt admitted their chemistry had been ‘amazing’ and that the performance had been his show highlight.

Phillip said: ‘That duet was the one that had pure energy… I thought you were going to snog!’.

Holly added, ‘I thought so too! I was like, « snog snog! » watching at home!’

To which a laughing Matt confessed: ‘So was I!’

X FACTOR 2010 – CHRISTINA AGUILERA AND REBECCA FERGUSON 

In one of the most star-studded finals yet, America pop queen Christina Aguilera joined runner-up Rebecca Ferguson for a performance of Beautiful.

The duo wowed the crowds with their stellar vocals but Rebecca was unfortunately pipped at the final post by Matt.  

Rebecca later told the Liverpool Echo of Xtina: ‘She’s an amazing artist. I was so starstruck. I still can’t believe I got to sing with her.

‘We rehearsed it through and I was worried I would sing her lyrics so she said we would work it out on stage. She told me to keep eye contact with her.

‘I thought she was really sweet. I liked her. Don’t get me wrong she was a professional but at the same time she didn’t have to record a good luck message for me.’

X FACTOR 2012 – NICOLE SCHERZINGER AND JAHMENE DOUGLAS

Judge Nicole joined forces with Swindon sensation and her mentee Jahmene to perform Whitney Houston’s Greatest Love during the X Factor final.

After figuring out her microphone was not working, Nicole rushed over to Jahmene and took his microphone to continue singing her part, with the two later sharing it to complete the song. 

Both stars showed signs of frustration, but continued and delivered the dramatic ballad pitch-perfect.

Despite the fact the two managed to belt out the song without errors, Nicole did seem upset afterwards by the technical error.   

Dermot O’Leary declared: ‘This is the biggest show in the UK and we can’t afford two working mics?’

‘That’s what a live performance is all about!’

However, Nicole was not impressed, saying: ‘Well it sucks when your mic is not on, but he’s my little angel and to share the stage with him, that’s the reason that I’m here.’

 X FACTOR 2009 – MICHAEL BUBLÉ AND STACEY SOLOMON   

Stacey Solomon’s polished performance with the ever-professionalMichael Buble won herrapturous applause and a standing ovation from all four judges.

The then 20-year-old from Dagenham performed in a shimmering red dress and belted out Feeling Good with theCanadian crooner.

Stacey, who looked as if she might have a little crush on the singer, dubbed him, ‘the coolest man I’ve ever met’.

Buble said she ‘absolutely’ had what it takes to go all the way.

‘Can you not tell how much fun we just had there?’ he said when Dermot asked if he had enjoyed working with the Dagenham Diva.

Stacey has since forged a successful presenting and social media career. 

X FACTOR 2009 – PAUL MCCARTNEY WITH OLLY MURS AND JOE MCELDERRY

The Beatles legend made a surprise appearance on stage to sing Drive My Car alongside finalists Olly Murs and Joe McElderry.

He also performed Bond theme, Live and Let Die on the extremely star-studded night. 

Macca previously told the Mirror in 2009:’I watch The X Factor because my kids watch it.

« They have it on the TV and when I come in the room it’s like, ‘What is this?’ The show is like a road accident – you don’t want to see it, but you do.

‘You find yourself watching it each week to see who is going to be kicked out I was surprised [Jedward] didn’t stay in for longer as they were really popular, » he said. « They couldn’t really sing though – but they were watchable.’

 OTHER CELEBRITY PERFORMANCES…

 X FACTOR 2009 – JUDGE CHERYL MAKES SOLO PERFORMANCE DEBUT

Cheryl Cole’s much-hyped debut solo performance of Fight For This Love helped The X Factor pull in a record audience of nearly 15million.

The Girls Aloud singer, then 26, had battled extreme nerves ahead of the routine, even bursting into tears at one point in the previous day’s show. 

However, the star, who admitted to miming some parts of the track, cemented her place in the history books with her iconic military outfit and the performance of the chart-topping single.

The performance kickstarted her wildly successful solo career away from the girlband, with Cheryl returning to the show on numerous occasions to perform.

X FACTOR  2008 – BRITNEY SPEARS 

Such was the anticipation over icon Britney’s guest appearance on the X Factor that it attracted the series’s highest audience of 12.8million. 

She mimed to her new hit Womanizer on the ITV show, apparently because she wanted to concentrate fully on her dance routine.

A spokesman for the show insisted that there had been ‘some live vocals’.

However, one of the American’s aides told the Mail at the time: ‘Everyone knows Britney’s performances are about the dancing and performing.

‘Just as she would have mimed five years ago, she also mimed on the show on Saturday.’  

Dermot O’Leary was left baffled after he asked her what she made of the five acts, who each performed one of her hits.

After he handed her his microphone – hers appeared to be switched off completely – she said: ‘Yes, awesome, thank-you. Amazing, I met so many different people, the place is beautiful.’ 

X FACTOR 2009 – WHITNEY HOUSTON   

The legendary singer made a UK stage comeback when she performed new single Million Dollar Bill. 

The star was returning to the stage after years away from the spotlight battling a drug addiction 

Her performance followed a masterclass session with the 11 acts, where she and music mogul Clive Davis listened to their rehearsals and advised them on their singing.

When asked about her directness with the contestants during her masterclass session, Whitney looked at Simon Cowell as she said: ‘Yeah, is that why you call me Lippy?’

Pulling faces as she grimaced at the judge, she continued: ‘Simon calls me Lippy ’cause I say what’s on my mind just like he does.’

The iconic singer died aged 48 in 2012. 

 X Factor ‘AXED’ after 17 years! Simon Cowell ‘pulls plug’ on ITV talent show because he doesn’t want it to ‘become a bit of a joke’ 

Simon Cowell, 61, is said to have pulled the plug on the ITV talent show – which launched in 2004 and last aired in 2018 – because he doesn’t want it to ‘become a bit of a joke.’ 

While around the world the format is still successful, it seems the music mogul has accepted in the UK ‘it has become slightly stale’ and so has reportedly decided to ‘shelve it’ for five years, but sources are claiming it’s now ‘unlikely’ to ever return.  

A show insider told The Sun: ‘Globally, it is still a phenomenon and rakes in millions every year. But in the UK, there is no question it has become slightly stale.

‘Simon remains at the top of his game and knows how to make a hit. He owns the rights to the show, and it’s his call — not ITV’s — whether or not he drops it.   

‘Clearly the last thing he wants is for X Factor to fizzle out with a whimper and become a bit of a joke — especially in contrast to the show in its pomp.’ 

The source explained there is the option for Simon to return the talent show in 2023, which would see auditions take place next summer.

MailOnline has contacted Fremantle for comment. An ITV spokseperson told MailOnline: ‘There are no current plans for the next series of The X Factor at this stage.’ 

In the wake of the news, former X Factor stars Jedward and Katie Waissel reacted to with glee. 

The Irish twins, who shot to fame on the show in 2008, penned: ‘Xfactor has been axed Mission Complete’, while Katie, who appeared in 2010, shared the MailOnline’s news alert and wrote: ‘Journey for justice’.  

 In March, Dermot O’Leary, 47, told new! magazine of the X Factor: ‘I can’t see it coming back this year. If it does come back, it’ll be 2022 – maybe 2023.’ 

The presenter admitted he is missing filming the show, which launched in 2004, adding: ‘You do miss it, definitely. You work with people for the best part of 10 years and you become a really tight team.  

‘And you do miss the buzz of a Saturday night show. There’s something great about it.’ 

The father-of-one has hosted the show since 2007, taking over from former host Kate Thornton, who was at the helm from 2004–2006.    

Dermot has hosted every series since, aside from in 2015 where he was replaced with former contestant Olly Murs and the late Love Island presenter Caroline Flack. 

Its last traditional series of X Factor aired back in 2018, with judges Simon, Louis Tomlinson, Robbie Williams and his wife Ayda Field on the judging panel. 

Dalton Harris, mentored by former One Direction star Louis, won the series, with Scarlett finishing in second place and Anthony Russell taking third.     

Simon then brought one-off series The X Factor: Celebrity to screens in 2019, which saw famous faces showcase their vocal talents.

Megan McKenna was crowned the winner of the show and landed a record contract with Simon’s major music label, Syco. 

The X Factor was then halted in 2020 when coronavirus hit, rendering it impossible to produce the show, which involves mass gatherings for open public auditions. 

 Part of X Factor’s appeal has always been the array of famous faces recruited by Simon to sit with him on the judging panel.  

Louis Walsh sat along Simon for a whopping 13 years, from 2004 to 2018 before stepping away from X Factor. 

Sharon Osbourne took her place as a judge from 2004 to 2007. She rejoined in 2013, though, and once again in 2016.  

Dannii Minogue first appeared on the judging panel in 2007 and remained there for four series, before leaving in 2011. 

Cheryl was an X Factor judge from 2008 to 2011. She then returned for the 2014 and 2015 series.

 Tulisa Contostavlos was the youngest X factor judge during her time on the show in 2011 and 2012. 

Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland joined the panel at the same time as Tulisa, in 2011, but only lasted one series. 

From 2011-2013, Take That’s Gary Barlow actually stepped into Simon Cowell’s shoes and replaced him on the judging panel.

Nicole Scherzinger coined the infamous phrase ‘Shermazing’ during her stints on the judging panel from 2012 to 2014, before returning in 2016 and 2017.  

Spice Girl Mel B filled the gap left by Nicole for the 2015 series of X Factor, but Simon decided she was better suited to US audiences and she has since been a judge on America’s Got Talent for five series. 

 The same year, popstar Rita Ora and BBC Radio 1’s Nick Grimshaw sat on the judging panel, but both only lasted a single year.  

In 2018 Louis Tomlinson joined the panel along with Robbie Williams and his wife Ayda Field.

While it’s produced huge stars like 1D, Little Mix, Olly Murs and James Arthur, The X Factor has arguably taking a hit in ratings over the last few years. 

X Factor was hit by its lowest ever ratings when the Celebrity series aired its first live show earlier this year.

The ITV series recorded just 2.96 million viewers at one point, and by the last 15 minutes of the Celebrity special, just 2.99 million viewers were left.

Even with a 3.73 million peak, the ratings paled in comparison to the average viewing figures of 14.13 million that the show pulled in at its prime in 2010. 

It marked the lowest ratings since the franchise began in 2004, but sources claim The X Factor still remains the highest watched show for 16 to 34 year olds.

The apparent decision to axe the show comes hot on the heels of former contestants hitting out against the British music industry for ‘exploiting’ and treating them like ‘cattle’ since their overnight rise to fame. 

2010 X Factor star Rebecca Ferguson, 35, has called for an urgent parliamentary inquiry to help protect young and emerging artists and an independent tribunal to hold those responsible for poor treatment within the industry to account. 

Her fellow contestant Cher Lloyd, 27, and double act Jedward, both 29, who appeared on the show the previous year, have also hit out at the industry and claimed they were also poorly treated.

Katie, earlier this year, claimed she was sexually assaulted by somebody on the X Factor team, years after appearing on the show.

The singer, 35, alleged the incident happened in the US when she met the person to talk about recording work.  

The singer said if she could change the past, she would never have appeared on the singing contest in 2010. 

A spokesperson for Syco Entertainment said at the time: ‘We were made aware via the media of Katie’s claims in Autumn 2017 and we immediately contacted her and began an investigation. 

‘We were naturally shocked at the allegations and wanted to do anything we could to help – so we asked her to lodge a complaint with us and detail the allegations for that purpose. In the interim we suspended the accused. 

‘Despite a number of requests to Katie asking her to detail the claims to us, she chose not to make a complaint over his behaviour. As a result, and without other evidence to the contrary, we were obliged to accept his denial of the claims. 

  ‘We, of course, remain ready and keen to investigate her claims if she so chooses to detail them to us and even though the alleged perpetrator no longer works for either Syco or Sony Music.’   

While some X Factor stars went on to earn millions in the spotlight, many of the show’s winners have failed or been dumped from their record labels as their careers floundered. 

The show’s biggest success was One Direction- made up of Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik- before the band went on an indefinite hiatus at the peak of their success in 2016. 

Louisa Johnson, now 23, became The X Factor’s youngest ever winner when she was crowned champion of the 2015 series of the TV talent show. 

Jesy Nelson has recently quit girl band Little Mix – who won the show in 2011 – to help her mental health after the pressure of being in the group started to take its ‘toll’ on her. 

James Arthur shot to fame after competing on the 2012 edition of The X Factor, which he went on to win. 

Olly Murs was runner-up in 2009’s X Factor and has had an incredibly successful career in music since finding fame on the show.  

Shayne Ward won the X-Factor 15 years ago, its second series. After a triumphant music career, he joined ITV soap Coronation Street where he played Aidan Connor until 2018.

Jedward – aka twins John and Edward Grimes – starred on X Factor in 2009, finishing third. Despite being a novelty act, they have gone on to release three albums. 

Alexandra Burke’s big breakthrough came on X Factor in 2008, after she beat JLS in the final and her debut single, Hallelujah, sold 105,000 copies in a day.