Love it or hate it the X Factor returns in just under a weeks time with a new (and improved?) judging panel. Including Simon Cowell (of course), Louis Walsh, Dannii Minogue and to replace Sharon Osbourne who has quit the show - Cheryl Cole.

The Xtra Factor on ITV2 has also got a new presenter after Fearne Cotton also quit the show to concentrate on other projects. This year Holly Willoughby (of Dancing On Ice fame) will be guiding us through the backstage shows and gossip.

Are you looking forward to this years X Factor with the new panel or would you rather have Sharon back. Who would you have liked to have seen replace Sharon instead of Cheryl. Has the X Factor lost its spark and become just too predictable?

Check out the X Factor Promo to catch a glimpse of what's in store.

Well, after they rejected my audition at the first stage, I want nothing to with the show.



Ok then, I will watch

I don't like the idea of Cheryl Cole being on the panel though. Sharon wasn't that bad really, though her hissy fits were uncalled for- however, I originally heard that Lulu was going to be her replacement and I'd have much preferred that.

The whole format is running a tad dry now though so I hope they can change it a bit this series.

Yeah I can't say i'm particually keen on Cheryl Cole taking over either. I'm still not that keen on Dannii. I hear there's a bit of rivalry between the two girls (well what a surprise ).

I liked Sharon, particularly when she had a drink or two. Well at least she has more time to play Gala Bingo now

Ok it's not X-Factor, but here is one of Simon Cowell's first TV appearances way back in the 90's on quiz show Sale of the Century - http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Ld-a7DYz-cs

Does anybody remember Emma, the really obese woman from the Manchester area? I've met her and she lives in Ramsbottom, the same town as me. Apparently she's been taking a lot of singing lessons from Carrey Grant. Hopefully she'll be a lot better this year!

Was she the one who had the homemade dress?

That audition was a total catastrophe and her family need a good slap for drilling the idea that she was ever going to be successful into her head- that only made the cruel rejection she suffered even harsher. Then again, Cowell needs a slap for the way he commented more on her appearance than her singing (admittedly both were dreadful but still...)

I've seen that before but it's still a classic!

Looking forward to it.

I'll probably just watch the auditions. The one with the Old Granny that turned into the devil when Simon laughed at her daughter in law's dancing and singing was absolutely hilarious.

Well said

I love the auditions!

Touché to that.

Well I love the live shows, especially the last 6 or 7 weeks, because we normally see some real talent (last year I was backing Rhydian and Niki all the way- though got sick of hearing about her dead dad- until the final when I suddenly thought Same Difference deserved it for being so fabulous ) but the auditions are a great laugh, if not painstakingly horrific at times.

I enjoy the auditions the most, even if they can be a little predictable. When you end up getting a life story about some auditionee and what this means to them etc...it usually means they'll get through. Then you have the obvious no-hopers that you just know won't make it through (though admittedly can be the most entertaining auditions).

I enjoy the live shows too, though again they have to keep constantly reminding you of the journey the contestant has been on. Which can get rather annoying.

Only a couple of hours to go for the new series. I wonder how many sob stories we'll see tonight? I'll wager about 3.

Generally, everyone on Today's show who had a sob story get through, it's a bit predictable. The person who sang Warwick Avenue and sounded like Duffy was the best IMO. Those two 'mysterious girl' lads were quite creepy!

The Mysterious Girls lads were a bit weird.

That girl who did Warwick Avenue, no wonder she got through. And that lady who did Amy Declinehouse, I can't pick faults with her either; to admit to her wrongs in life and want to do well, hope she goes far!

The mysterious girl lads were soooo hilarious! The main guy singing was actually not that bad it was just the other guy doing all the "Woooah! Yeah come on, woman that I love, woooah, move your body!" that made it funny.

The one who sang Amy Winehouse's You Know I'm No Good and that 16 year old, I think her name is Alex, were really good!

I can't say that I'm a great fan of the new "judge". I think she'll just generally get on my nerves. I do agree with mike though, the auditions are the most enjoyable part of the show to watch, just to see people absolutely humiliate themselves on national television - and most of them don't seem to know or understand how embarassingly bad they really are!