The X-Factor is a music competition where competitors apply for auditions, and a jury of celebrity peers put them through trial to find new singing talent. The 6th series took place from August 22 to December 13, 2009. It was hosted by ITV (formerly known as Independent Television).
The show was hosted by Dermot O’Leary. Judges were Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole, Dannii Minogue, and Louis Walsh. The winning mentor, second year in a row, was Cheryl Cole, and the winner of season 6 was Dermot O’Leary.
Auditions were held over June and July in London, Glasgow, Cardiff, Manchester, and Birmingham in front of a live audience. The Bootcamp selection stage was also produced with a live audience.
Finals ended with the following results:
Joe McElderry Winner
Olly Murs Runner-Up
Stacey Solomon 3rd Place
Danyl Johnson 4th Place
Lloyd Daniels 5th Place
John & Edward 6th Place
Jamie Archer 7th Place
Lucie Jones 8th Place
Rachel Adedeji 9th Place
Miss Frank 10th Place
Rikki Loney 11th Place
Kandy Rain 12th Place
It was indeed a special season, several celebrities being guests of the show, and some even mentoring in certain stages: Robbie Williams, Whitney Houston, Bon Jovi, JLS, Leona Lewis, The Black Eyed Peas, Shakira, Susan Boyle, Mariah Carey, Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Janet Jackson, Lady Gaga. Guests of the finals were, in addition, Michael Buble, George Michael, Burke, Lewis, and Paul McCartney.
The finals coverage and winners announcement attracted as many as 19.1 million viewers.
It was in his second appearance that Joe McElderry won the X-Factor. He went on getting involved with music and reality TV shows. He made four albums and won the Popstar to Operastar, and The Jump reality shows.
Finalists of the 2009 show released a charity single – Michael Jackson’s “You are not alone” and supported Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity. In addition to this, it was announced that all proceeds from the X-Factor’s winning single were released in aid of two charities: Great Ormond Street Hospital and Together for Short Lives, a charity supporting children with life-threatening and life-limiting conditions.