Fans of X Factor will no doubt be pleased to hear that formerly booted – unfairly if you ask me – contestants Jade Richards, Carolynne Poole, Joe Cox, Melanie McCabe and Sian Phillips are all back this year, and so far, they’re flying through!

I’m particularly glad that Carolynne Poole – who recently starred in Emmerdale – is back, because when Louis Walsh ditched her at Judges’ Houses last year, it was one of the biggest travesties in the show’s history!

Likewise Jade Richards who also lost out during Judges’ Houses rounds after Kelly Rowland chose not to take her through to the live shows. That of course outraged viewers at the time, so it’s great news that she’s back this year…

Joe was likewise ousted after Gary Barlow told him, “I don’t think you’re quite ready,” and viewer fave Sian was dropped after she was refused a US visa because she’d served time in prison over a drunken brawl.

Last night, an X Factor source said, “There are a lot of familiar faces but they all deserve to be here.

Joe Cox

“Everyone will be thrilled to see Jade back. If she makes it to the live shows she’ll have loads of support.

“It would be silly to say no to such talent just because they’ve been on before, even if it does run the risk of being a bit repetitive.

“The known acts aren’t getting any special treatment but if they impress they will go through to judges’ houses again.”

The Sun adds, “The five returning hopefuls aren’t the only familiar faces either. Blond model Rylan Clark, runner-up on Sky Living’s talent search Signed By Katie Price, is also through to boot camp.”

Of him, the source added, “Rylan has split the judges but they think he’s unique and are prepared to give him a chance.

“He’s a real Marmite contestant — you either love him or hate him.”

Well we’ll no doubt get to judge for ourselves when the show’s back on TV in just a few weeks. Whoop!