The X Factor, returns for a sizzling fourth series with a fresh new format and a rollercoaster ride of twists and turns. With a fourth new Judge, a brand new category and a drop in the age range, this series promises to be as explosive as ever. Tune in this Saturday 18 August at 7.40pm for the unmissable first episode.

* The auditions kick off in London with a new Judging line up
* Susan has the Judges in stitches
* Simon gets complemented on his dentistry
* The most excitable duo in X Factor history
* The youngest ever auditionee
* Louis’ back!
* Joy ‘nose’ how to play the Judges
* The stroppiest contestant ever
* A message from the grave

The auditions are kicking off in London at the Emirates stadium, and the new Judging line up is presented to the thousands of X Factor hopefuls, as Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne, and new Judges Dannii Minogue and Brian Friedman meet their adoring fans with Simon officially opening the start of the 2007 auditions.

SUSAN HAS THE JUDGES IN STITCHES

First up to audition in front of the Judges at London’s Emirates stadium is 55 year old Susan Perkins from Kent who is convinced that, “when I walk back through these doors I hope I’m going to be a superstar”. Taking her spot on the X with a little bit of direction from Simon, Susan tells the panel, “I’ve wanted to be a singer ever since I was a little girl and I would just love to be able to achieve my ambition today.” Launching into a rendition of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ it’s not long before Susan has the Judges in fits of laughter. Once Susan’s caterwauling finishes, Sharon asks her, “Did you enjoy that?” to which Susan responds “Yes, very much”. Wading straight in with his first acid tongued comment of the series, Simon says “Well I think we’ve heard enough. It really was the slowest song in the world.” Brian adds, “it wasn’t my cup of tea” while Dannii says straight faced; “I enjoyed it but I don’t think you’re going to win this competition.” It doesn’t look too promising for Susan but will the Judges take pity and help Susan achieve her ambition?

TOOTHLESS TERROR EMILY

Next up to face the Judges is 70 year old Emily and what a striking entrance she makes! Wearing a red scarf around her face and black sunglasses, Simon asks the question on everyone’s lips; “Can I ask why you have a scarf around your neck?” Emily responds with a puzzling, “because I urgently need dentistry.” A speechless Simon asks “are you saying you would perform with a scarf around your neck?” When Emily’s shrieking performance is over Simon likens Emily to something out of a horror movie. “This is all ridiculous, you’re standing like something out of a horror movie – The Invisible Man or whatever it is.” An outraged Emily retorts from behind her scarf; “I’m standing here like someone who actually has The X Factor.” Simon hits back. “Yes but not on planet earth darling.” The exchange takes a bizarre twist when Emily gives it to Simon with both barrels. “Simon you’re a warm charismatic handsome person with good dentistry. But that doesn’t give you the right to tell me that I am here to get dentistry.” To which an exasperated Simon shouts incredulously; “But it’s not my fault that I’ve got good teeth!” On that note, Emily leaves the audition room telling the cameras, “Simon got out of bed the wrong side this morning.”

W4 FLY THE FLAG…

Draped in national flags for their one chance at fame is five piece all girl group W4, Rachel (Welsh), Linzi (Welsh), Krystal (English), Enrica (Scottish) and Leigh (Scottish) all aged 21. They sing ‘Heaven’, wowing Dannii, Sharon and Brian. Simon comments that the girls were not original, and locks horns with new judge Dannii. “I absolutely disagree with you. The unity and your (W4) energy is amazing. It’s like I want to be in your gang, I want to go wherever you go next cos you look like you’re going to have fun!” But do the other three Judges persuade Simon round to their way of thinking or does he send W4 out waving or lowering those flags?

THE JUDGES MEET THE MOST EXCITABLE DUO IN SHOW’S HISTORY

Does The X Factor have a new Donny and Marie on its hands this year? Brother and sister act Same Difference are certainly up for trying! Running into the audition room, bright eyed Sarah, 18 and Sean Smith, 21, are bubbling over with excitement at getting in front of the judging panel. Cut off seconds into their version of ‘I’ll be There For You’ by The Rembrants, Simon tells them; “OK, can we lose the crazy faces, the screaming, the shouting. Cos this is so just so insane at the moment. You are so funny you two! God, I pity your parents. I bet you both wake up in great moods.” When Brian suggests the duo tone down their performance, Dannii disagrees: I don’t think these guys can tone it down and I don’t think you should. You guys do that so well and you’re so adorable and loveable and you should keep doing that. But it’s not X Factor winner.” Simon offers up some more sage advice for the pair saying, “I think you need to watch lots of depressing documentaries.” “We will literally stand there with no expressions!” responds Sarah but will it be enough to get Same Difference through to the next round?

THE X FACTOR’S YOUNGEST EVER CONTESTANT STEPS UP TO THE X

Lucky survivor Emily is the first 14 year old to ever audition for The X Factor. And she’s lucky to be here as in 2003 Emily’s appendix burst leaving her close to death, so she feels she’s been given a lifeline and is determined to make the most of it. With no pressure as she is the youngest contestant to ever audition for The X Factor, she wows the Judges with her version of Randy Crawford’s “Almaz”. When Brian asks how long she has been singing Emily says “since I was in my mummy’s belly.”

An impressed Simon gives Emily a glowing review. “Emily, there was a lot of discussion and controversy whether we should take people your ages in this competition and I was absolutely determined that we were going to drop the age range and you’re the reason why. I thought you were absolutely fantastic. I think you’ve got a great future ahead of you and I loved your audition. Now the moment of truth…”

With Emily picking up the Judges moods, and with all of them wowed by her performance Simon comments on why he reduced the age category this year, “The show has to move on along with everything else and I kept getting 14/15 year olds telling me why they can’t we enter the show. So we’ve listened to them and we’ve taken the age down. And they think they’re ready for it and we’re going to find out this year.”

LOUIS’ BACK!

As the auditions in London come to a close, all is not well on The X Factor set, “there is something not quite right, I cannot put my finger on it at the moment” says Simon, and Sharon is obviously missing Louis, who was sacked from the show in March, “I have to say this but I really miss Louis, its not the way it was. I kind of feel it’s all wrong, you’re there to do a job that you love but the atmosphere is very uncomfortable”.

Back at Simon’s office he goes on to explain, “We had a very difficult first week. I wasn’t happy, Sharon wasn’t happy, Brian wasn’t happy. The end result is Brian will not be judging The X Factor going forward. He’s going to stay on the show as creative director, he’ll be working with the talent when we get to the live shows. We’ve now got the fourth Judge to fill and I never thought we would be saying this but we’re going to bring back Louis Walsh.

So as the auditions move from London to Manchester, a jubilant Louis Walsh returns to the Judging panel, “I don’t even know why they got rid of me and I didn’t understand at the time. But it’s water under the bridge and I’m back now, back with a vengeance!”

JOY ‘NOSE’ HOW TO PLAY THE JUDGES…

With Louis back on the panel, The X Factor juggernaut moves on to Manchester where 79 year Joy lies in wait for the judges. She tells them, ”I can play three invisible instruments. The violin, the mandolin and the Hawaiian guitar.” Simon, “why invisible?” Joy, “Because they are invisible. I can do you the Hawaiian guitar to start with.” Joy leaves the judges with their jaws on the floor after she has finished ‘playing’ the Hawaiian guitar. Simon – I just didn’t understand what you were trying to do there. But Louis thinks that Joy is a very “versatile performer” and Sharon calling her very “multi-talented”, but can Joy be the first contestant to make it through to Bootcamp without actually singing a note?

JULES THE DINNERLADY

Jules Horsfield, 32 a dinner lady from Merseyside has dreamt of being a singer since she was a child and as she says, “It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do, I thought the dream would go away but its still there”. Singing “Something To Talk About” by Bonnie Raitte a nervous Jules hopes the Judges can turn her dreams into a reality and she’s found a fan in Sharon, “I love you, I thought you were fantastic, but please take your hands out of your pockets!” But Simon is less impressed, “You walked in like a loser, your body language, your attitude, it was verging on desperation and begging, and you sound like a whipped dog. But saying all that there is something incredibly likeable about you”. But will Jules be going back to her school to deliver the kids good or bad news?

OVERCONFIDENT ZOE THROWS STROP AT THE JUDGES

Next in the room is 18 year old Zoe from Staffordshire, who is convinced that despite no musical training she is what the Judges have been waiting for. Singing Beautiful by Christina Aguilera, who she aspires to be like, Zoe waits with confident anticipation for the judges comments, but they are not quite what she was expecting, “It was terrible” says Simon, “No way” replies a shocked Zoe. And as Sharon, Louis and Dannii deliver their verdicts Zoe’s face goes from confident to bemused, “I can’t believe that, what do I do now?!” And as she runs out the room to be greeted by Dermot, rather than running in his arms, she starts banging her head against the wall, not quite what Dermot was expecting!

NIKI’S MESSAGE FROM THE GRAVE

Last in to see the Judges is 34 year old Mum of two Niki Evans from Staffordshire who wouldn’t have come to the auditions if it wasn’t for her recently deceased father. Niki’s Dad died last September, and whilst going through his paperwork after his death she found an X Factor application form that her Dad had never got round to giving to her. Feeling it was a message from the grave she felt compelled to fulfil his wish and apply. Singing “I Will Always Love You”, the judges are visibly blown away by Niki’s performance, “I think you’ve got a great voice, just great, I absolutely loved your audition” says Simon, “I’m absolutely astounded” said Louis. An emotional Niki looks slightly shell shocked by the Judges comments as she sails through to Bootcamp.