The BEST episodes of The X Factor

Every episode of The X Factor ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of The X Factor!

Aspiring singers compete to become the nation's next singing sensation.

Last Updated: 1/20/2024Network: ITV1Status: Ended
Share:
Auditions 3: Birmingham welcomes Natalie Imbruglia!
star
10.00
27 votes

#1 - Auditions 3: Birmingham welcomes Natalie Imbruglia!

Season 1 - Episode 168 - Aired 9/4/2010

Guest judge Natalie Imbruglia helps Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole and Louis Walsh select the best solo singers and groups at the auditions in Birmingham, where highlights include a female duo whose attitude fails to impress Simon. Plus, more from London, where a pair of twins from Paris bring back memories of Jedward for the judges.

Directors: Ben Thursby
Live Show 5 Results
star
9.00
27 votes

#2 - Live Show 5 Results

Season 1 - Episode 245 - Aired 11/4/2012

Watch Now:Amazon
Live Show 2
star
9.00
27 votes

#3 - Live Show 2

Season 1 - Episode 269 - Aired 10/19/2013

Watch Now:Amazon
Judges' Houses 1
star
8.50
54 votes

#4 - Judges' Houses 1

Season 1 - Episode 174 - Aired 10/2/2010

Those who have made it through travel to the judges houses where they have one last chance to impress before the judges decide who they will put through to the live stages of the competition.

Directors: Ben Thursby
Watch Now:Amazon
Live Show 1
star
8.50
54 votes

#5 - Live Show 1

Season 1 - Episode 267 - Aired 10/12/2013

Watch Now:Amazon
Final
star
8.50
54 votes

#6 - Final

Season 1 - Episode 285 - Aired 12/14/2013

Watch Now:Amazon
Auditions 3
star
8.30
81 votes

#7 - Auditions 3

Season 1 - Episode 227 - Aired 9/1/2012

Watch Now:Amazon
Arena Auditions 1
star
8.00
27 votes

#8 - Arena Auditions 1

Season 1 - Episode 256 - Aired 9/1/2013

The Contestants who got through from last night now preform in the Arena to get through to Boot Camp

Watch Now:Amazon
Room Auditions 2
star
8.00
27 votes

#9 - Room Auditions 2

Season 1 - Episode 257 - Aired 9/7/2013

2nd set of Auditions Held in the Rooms with just the 4 Judges and Contestants

Watch Now:Amazon
Judges' Houses 2
star
8.00
27 votes

#10 - Judges' Houses 2

Season 1 - Episode 266 - Aired 10/6/2013

The Judges Reveal who they have chosen to be in the Top 12

Watch Now:Amazon
Live Show 4 Results
star
8.00
27 votes

#11 - Live Show 4 Results

Season 1 - Episode 274 - Aired 11/3/2013

Watch Now:Amazon
Live Show 5
star
8.00
27 votes

#12 - Live Show 5

Season 1 - Episode 275 - Aired 11/9/2013

Watch Now:Amazon
Live Show 6 Results
star
8.00
27 votes

#13 - Live Show 6 Results

Season 1 - Episode 278 - Aired 11/17/2013

Watch Now:Amazon
Auditions 1
star
8.00
27 votes

#14 - Auditions 1

Season 1 - Episode 320 - Aired 8/29/2015

The talent show returns for its 12th series with Radio One DJ Nick Grimshaw and singer-songwriter Rita Ora joining Simon Cowell and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini on the judging panel. New presenting duo Caroline Flack, and Olly Murs host as the search for a potential music star with an amazing voice and that extra special something begins. Tonight's edition will see the start of the auditions, as hopefuls perform in front of the judges and an arena audience of thousands in the hope of securing a place at Boot Camp.

Watch Now:Amazon
Six Chair Challenge 1
star
8.00
27 votes

#15 - Six Chair Challenge 1

Season 1 - Episode 328 - Aired 10/4/2015

The first stage of this year's three-part Six Chair Challenge arrives, in which judges Simon, Rita, Nick, and Cheryl are given the opportunity to pick six acts to champion through to the later stages of the contest. The format has the potential to generate a great deal of drama in the studio, as the judges have the right to switch acts in and out of their line-up whenever they choose. Girl group 4th Power, 17-year-old singer Louisa Johnson, and youth worker Monica Michael are among the would-be stars who have already secured a place in this round of the contest, but it remains to be seen whether any of them will be able to win over the panel and progress further.

Watch Now:Amazon
Six Chair Challenge 2
star
8.00
27 votes

#16 - Six Chair Challenge 2

Season 1 - Episode 329 - Aired 10/11/2015

Olly and Caroline present the climax of the Six Chair Challenge. Judges Rita, Simon, Cheryl, and Nick must each select six acts to take a place in the live shows. However, contestants who put in an impressive performance are not out of the woods, as the judges have the freedom to change their minds at any point in the show.

Watch Now:Amazon
Live Show 3
star
8.00
27 votes

#17 - Live Show 3

Season 1 - Episode 337 - Aired 11/14/2015

Caroline and Olly present as the remaining contestants face their third live show, in which they enter Movie Week. For tonight's performances, the singers must tackle hit songs from major films, once again demonstrating their talent to judges Simon, Cheryl, Nick, and Rita, in the hopes of surviving another round, and taking a step closer to this year's final.

Watch Now:Amazon
Bootcamp 1
star
8.00
27 votes

#18 - Bootcamp 1

Season 1 - Episode 387 - Aired 9/30/2017

Watch Now:Amazon
Bootcamp 2
star
8.00
27 votes

#19 - Bootcamp 2

Season 1 - Episode 388 - Aired 10/1/2017

Watch Now:Amazon
Live Show 4: Girls vs Overs
star
8.00
27 votes

#20 - Live Show 4: Girls vs Overs

Season 1 - Episode 398 - Aired 11/5/2017

Watch Now:Amazon
Room Auditions 1
star
8.00
27 votes

#21 - Room Auditions 1

Season 1 - Episode 256 - Aired 8/31/2013

Auditions Held in the Rooms with just the 4 Judges and Contestants

Watch Now:Amazon
The Auditions: Part 1
star
8.00
27 votes

#22 - The Auditions: Part 1

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/4/2004

The judges visit Leeds and London for the first audions round. Amongst the thousands of contestants who tried out were: Retired miner Mario, sisterly duos Sweet Harmony and Gemini, rapper ginger Benjamin (who got on the wrong side of Sharon by insulting her kids!) & 81 year old Reney!

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Auditions: Part 2
star
8.00
27 votes

#23 - The Auditions: Part 2

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/11/2004

The judges visit Newcastle. Two rivalry bands both get through to the next round. A girl tries out with her two best friends, only to be told by Simon that she has to ditch them if she wants to go any further. After a heart-to-heart with her friends, the girl tries out in front of the judges on her own. Louis gets re-acquainted with an old friend. Simon suggests that Louis take her out, then when she turns up for their lunch date with her dog, Louis runs away from Simon and out of the back door.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Auditions: Part 3
star
8.00
27 votes

#24 - The Auditions: Part 3

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 9/18/2004

Watch Now:Amazon
Auditions 1: Glasgow welcomes Geri!
star
8.00
81 votes

#25 - Auditions 1: Glasgow welcomes Geri!

Season 1 - Episode 167 - Aired 8/21/2010

With Dannii looking after her mini Minogue the panel of power welcomed the first of our celebrity guest judges in Glasgow, the notoriously never lost for words, formally ginger, Geri Halliwell.

Directors: Ben Thursby