Alexandra Burke wins The X Factor!

*Londoner Alexandra Burke became the latest X Factor champion, beating Eoighan Quigg and JLS on December 13*

It's not even a year since Leon Jackson was crowned winner of The X Factor 2008 and the search is on again to find Britain's hot new singing sensation.

The X Factor is back for a fifth series - and thousands more hopefuls have been turning out to prove that they've got what it takes to be the next big thing.

Once again, TV's 'Mr Nasty' Simon Cowell will be judging the hopefuls alongside Westlife manager Louis Walsh and pop star - and Kylie's little sister - Dannii Minogue.

But there's a new face replacing Sharon Osbourne this series - Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Cole.

Having been through the reality TV mill on Popstars: The Rivals, the show that discovered Girls Aloud in 2002, chart-topper Cheryl is well placed to dish out advice to the contestants.

"The fact that I was a contestant myself in theory should help," says Cheryl. "Not only me, but hopefully the contestants as they know I've been in their shoes."

Dermot O'Leary returns to host the main show, while Holly Willoughby will be bringing us all the behind-the-scenes gossip on ITV2's The Xtra Factor.

Once again, contestants will be split into four categories: Boys (14-24s), Girls (14-24s), 25 & Overs and Groups throughout the auditions and boot camp. And then it's on to the live shows where, as we know, anything can happen.

Dannii may have triumphed with winner Leon AND runner-up Rhydian Roberts last year, but can Team Minogue excel and do it all again this year?

One thing's for sure, there are thousands of talented - and talentless - singers out there who dream of following in Leon's footsteps and bagging a 1 million pound recording contract and a shot at this year's Christmas number one.

Let the action commence - log on to whatsontv.co.uk for preview clips, news and gossip from the show.