As this year’s X Factor hopefuls continue to battle it out at the arena auditions this weekend new figures reveal the real secret to success on the show is all down to being mentored by Cheryl Fernandez-Versini or Mel B.

MEL B'S MUM SLAMS HER FOR LYING ON THE SHOW


According to Budget store Brighthouse – who delved into what makes an X Factor champion of Leona Lewis’ and Alexandra Burke’s standard – 80 per cent of winners were teamed up with a female judge. 

The findings could see show boss Simon Cowell, 54, who said recently that neither Cheryl or new judge Mel B would win, eat his words.

He said: “Singers don’t want to find stars. It’s not in their DNA. They only think about themselves. That is the nature of being a solo artist.

"I own a record label. So the only thing I’m interested in is finding a star."

The study found winners have an average age of 23, and 85 per cent don’t have children.

TULISA MAKES X FACTOR RETURN AT JUDGES HOUSES

It’s no surprise that half of winners are female, just like Sam Bailey, 37, who morphed from prison officer to X Factor winner last year. And avid X Factor viewers will know the champion is highly likely to have a dramatic background story to reel in fans.

Just like 2012 winner James Arthur, 26, who revealed he’d spent his youth in foster care and penned his music in grotty bedsits.

A spokesman for Brighthouse said: "It's interesting that Simon said that neither of the female judges would mentor a winner as history would dictate that they stand a much better chance than himself or Louis Walsh."

For more fun X Factor stats see: brighthouse.co.uk