Joe McElderry is The X Factor champion!

*Joe McElderry is the The X Factor 2009 champion*

Five series of broken dreams, bum notes and stinging criticisms – and the public are still coming back for more!

The X Factor is back with series no 6 with its usual ‘record-beaking’ number of wannabe popstars plus a whole new schtick – auditionees will be performing in arenas in front of LIVE audiences.

Now that’s going to sort the talent from the tone-deaf.

The X Factor mega-mogul Simon Cowell says: “It was time to change things, make it different, and make it more challenging. I have always believed in change. The audience brings something completely new to the auditions; it’s tougher but it brings new dimensions to the performances. We are looking for a winner who has the whole package - vocally, has charisma and stage presence. Holding auditions in front of the live audiences is testing but also allows certain people and real talent to shine from day one and that’s why we’ve done the show this way round. The acts really have to perform from the moment they step out.”

Once again, The X Factor unites Simon, Louis Walsh, Dannii Minogue and Cheryl Cole as the judges who will dispense tough love and rough justice to the wannabes – and the others will be desperate to knock Cheryl off her champion’s perch. Her protege Alexandra Burke became the fifth X Factor star (and her re-emergence during this series is eagerly anticipated).

So who’s got what? Simon is mentoring the over-25s for this series, Louis has the groups, Dannii has the 16-24-year-old girls and Cheryl will be looking after a bunch of (probably very excited) 16-24-year-old boys...

The X Factor executive producer Richard Holloway said: “We are very excited about this year’s show. The live arena auditions provide an incredible
atmosphere for the contestants to showcase their talent. It gives them a taste of what it is like to perform in a concert and allows their talent to shine”.

Dermot O’Leary will back as the host of The X Factor on ITV1 every Saturday night, taking us on the journey through the auditions, boot camp, the finalists’ mentor sessions and on into the live shows.

Holly Willoughby returns as presenter on ITV2’s The Xtra Factor, which screens straight after the main show on ITV1 and will once again be packed with the good, the bad and the worst.

We’ll have news, gossip, photos and video from the series, so keep checking whatsontv.co.uk for the very latest X Factor info.