X Factor: See the first pictures from judges’ houses

After the gruelling six chair challenge it’s time for the nice-ish part of The X Factor.

xf-1

by Jack White |
Published on

The 12 remaining acts are being whisked off to four luxurious locations to sing their hearts out in front of the judges once more in order to win a place in the live finals.

But for the first time ever there’s a twist: the contestants won’t know if they’ve made it through until they return to Wembley Arena – and find out in front of the live audience.

As always, the judges are being joined by some of the music industry’s finest talents to help them pick their final three. Here’s the locations, guest judges and final line-ups!

Simon Cowell – Over 25s

xfactor-8

He didn’t exactly hide his disappointment in getting the Overs to mentor, but Simon still took them to a lavish French chateau for their final auditions.

Simon will be joined by One Direction star Louis Tomlinson, so it’s safe to say the hopefuls are in good hands.

The music mogul will be choosing from:

Anton Stephens

Ebru Ellis

Bupsi Brown

Jennifer Phillips

Kerrie-Anne Phillips

Max Stone

Cheryl Fernandez-Versini – Groups

Cheryl didn’t even try to hide her glee when she found out she’d got the groups and, with her being 1/5 of Girls Aloud, she definitely knows a thing or two about how to make a band successful.

The 32-year-old is taking chart topper Jess Glynne with her to Rome to whittle down her six hopefuls – and battling it out for a place will be:

4th Impact (formally 4th Power)

Alien Uncovered (formerly Alien)

BEKLN Mile (formerly BEKLN)

Melody Stone (formerly Silver Tone)

New Kings Order (formerly The First Kings)

Reggie n Bollie (formerly Menn on Point)

Rita Ora – Girls

New judge Rita seems to have the category that everybody wanted to mentor this year – and it’s easy to see why, isn’t it?

But the talent of the girls is so high this year that we don’t envy Rita having to choose which three to take to live shows.

Thankfully, Rita will have fellow pop princess Meghan Trainor with her in LA to help her decide between:

Chloe Paige

Havva Rebke

Keira Weathers

Lauren Murray

Louisa Johnson

Monica Michael

Nick Grimshaw – Boys

Because of his Radio 1 commitments, Nick couldn’t leave the country for his judges’ houses round, but that doesn’t mean the boys are slumming it!

Nick, 30, is taking his boys to the Cotswolds, and he and superstar producer Mark Ronson will have the tough task of choosing three from:

Ben Clark

Che Chesterman

Josh Daniel

Seann Miley Moore

Simon Lynch

Mason Noise

One of the 12 acts is the WINNER of The X Factor – but who do you think can go all the way? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter.

Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us