The X Factor has always been a Saturday night staple, but can you cast your mind back to the forgotten gem that was the original celebrity special?
While having celebrities on the show this year is ITV bosses most genius idea yet, some of you will remember that Battle of the Stars edition that seems to have got lost in the whirlwind that was noughties television.
That's right, back in 2006 Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh judged a bunch of television stars, with EastEnders star Lucy Benjamin as the crowned winner, taking home the winnings to donate to her chosen charity.
But where are these wannabe pop-stars now?
The X Factor: Battle of the Stars - where are they now?
The X Factor: Battle of the Stars - then and now
![2006 celebrity x factor](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d83/968a/502d/fb26/2177/9e07/Lucy.png?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Lucy Benjamin
Lucy beat Matt Stevens to win the series, and has remained on our TV screens ever since. As well as jumping in and out of EastEnders storylines, she has been on Mr&Mrs, I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here, and even starred in the West End show Hairspray.
![2006 celebrity x factor](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d83/988a/502d/fb39/8377/9e3c/Matt.png?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Matt Stevens
After the competition, Matt continued to play rugby until January 2009 when he tested positive for cocaine and faced a two year ban. Once this had been lifted he returned back to South Africa to join the Sharks.
![2006 celebrity x factor](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d83/9686/502d/fb62/7c77/9e01/Chris.png?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Chris Moyles
Chris Moyles has always been a familiar voice on the radio, becoming BBC Radio 1's longest serving breakfast presenter in 2009. However, in 2012, he announced that he would be leaving his iconic breakfast show. Yet, he soon returned to the airwaves in 2015, this time returning with a brand new show on the newly re-branded Radio X.
![2006 celebrity x factor](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d83/98b8/502d/fbeb/7477/9e47/The%20chefs.png?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
The Chefs
After coming fifth, the chefs did not carry on making music. Jean-Christophe Novelli appeared on many television shows such as Family Fortunes, Countryfile and The Apprentice, as well as launching his recipe book Simply Novelli in 2013.Aldo Zilli has worked with various companies such as Thompson Airways and Kraft Foods to prepare recipes, as well as becoming a brand ambassador for CocoPacific in 2016.Paul Rakin has been a regular chef on BBC cookery programme Ready Steady Cook and has recently bought a restaurant on the Isle-Of-Skye.Ross Burden sadly passed away in 2014 due to an infection relating to treatment for leukemia.
![2006 celebrity x factor](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d83/9998/502d/fb97/0677/9e84/Nikki.png?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Nikki Sanderson
While she didn't carry on with her music career, Nikki stayed on our TV screens starring in Heartbeat, Hollyoaks, and won the Best Actress award at the British Soap Awards in 2014.
![2006 celebrity x factor](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d83/9888/502d/fb7c/4077/9e3b/James%20and%20Rebecca.png?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
James and Rebecca
The Battle of The Stars wasn't enough competition for Rebecca Loos as she went on to take part in the Spanish show Survivor and Sky TV's _Cirque de Celebrite._James Hewitt's career seemed to quieten down after the competition, with his only TV appearance being Top Gear in the same year. James unfortunately suffered from a heart attack and stroke in 2017. He is said to have recovered well.
![2006 celebrity x factor](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d83/988a/502d/fb36/9777/9e3d/Michelle.png?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Michelle Marsh
Placing seventh in The Battle of the Stars didn't put Michelle off, as she released the tune that was 'I Don't Do' only a few months after the competition. She played minor roles in a few television series for the next couple of years, until 2010 when she announced she was planning on focusing on her children and developing her singing career.
![2006 celebrity x factor](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d83/9686/502d/fbaf/b177/9e06/Gillian.png?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Gillian McKeith
After Battle of the Stars, Gillian was given many opportunities within reality television. While she may have starred in programmes such as Supersize vs Superskinny and Celebrity Big Brother, can anything really top her performance in I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!?
![2006 celebrity x factor](https://images.bauerhosting.com/legacy/media/5d83/98b8/502d/fbd3/5b77/9e48/Paul%20and%20Debbie.png?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
Debbie and Paul
Coming last in The Battle of the Stars did not discourage Debbie from competitions, as she went on to take part in Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Masterchef. She's also hosted her own radio show, The Debbie McGee show, since 2008.Paul Daniels unfortunately passed away in 2016 due to a brain tumour.
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[The X Factor: Celebrity full line-up CONFIRMED](http://The X Factor: Celebrity full line-up CONFIRMED)
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So it's good news for Celebrity X Factor fans as the latest line-up for the rebooted series has been announced and it's set to be amazing.
This year, talent show boss Simon Cowell has enlisted a group of celebrities - who according to the trailer are not known for their singing talent. The line-up includes Love Island stars Wes Nelson, Eyal Booker, Zara McDermott and Samira Mighty, whilst journalist Martin Bashir and EastEnders star Jonny Labey are also trying their look.
However, many have already made a career out of singing, including Kevin McHale, who played Artie in Glee, and TOWIE-star Megan McKenna, who released a country album called Story Of Me in 2018. Megan even had a number one last year with 'High Heeled Shoes.'
They'll all be competing for a record contract.
We could be glued to our TVs for Saturday nights to come.
The X Factor: Celebrity will air on ITV in October.