The BEST episodes of The X Factor season 11

#1 - Bootcamp 3

Season 11 - Episode 11 - Aired 9/28/2014

The latest trip to boot camp concludes, as the ever-hopeful contestants battle it out in the last six-chair challenge to win the last few places to sing at the judges' houses.

#2 - Arena Auditions 3

Season 11 - Episode 7 - Aired 9/20/2014

Having proved themselves in front of the judges, the hopefuls must now perform for an audience of almost 5,000 as the Wembley Arena auditions continue.

#3 - Arena Auditions 1

Season 11 - Episode 5 - Aired 9/13/2014

The acts who wowed the judges at the closed-room auditions now face round two - appearing not just in front of judges Simon Cowell, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, Mel B, and Louis Walsh, but also an audience of nearly 5,000 people at the more intimidating setting of Wembley Arena. With limited places available at boot camp, the singers must prove their first performances weren't just a one-off.

#4 - Room Auditions 1

Season 11 - Episode 1 - Aired 8/30/2014

The closed-room auditions begin. This season Simon Cowell is back on the panel for the first time since 2010, former guest judge Mel B takes a permanent role on the show, and Cheryl Cole has also signed up, but she's now Cheryl Fernandez-Versini following her whirlwind wedding in July. Show stalwart Louis Walsh completes the line-up as the experts search for the nation's next singing sensation. The minimum age for acts has now also been lowered to 14, creating more opportunities for all the budding Justin Biebers out there. Dermot O'Leary hosts.

#5 - Bootcamp 2

Season 11 - Episode 10 - Aired 9/27/2014

The six-chair challenge continues in the second of three boot-camp shows, in which the hopefuls battle it out for one of six places at the judges' house stage.

#6 - Bootcamp 1

Season 11 - Episode 9 - Aired 9/26/2014

In the first of three boot camps editions, the six-chair challenge returns. Simon, Louis, Mel B, and Cheryl must decide on the final six acts they will take to the judges' houses stage. Making the decisions are Simon (overs), Cheryl (girls), Mel B (boys) and Louis (groups).

#7 - Arena Auditions 2

Season 11 - Episode 6 - Aired 9/14/2014

Having proved themselves in front of Simon, Cheryl, Mel B, and Louis, the hopefuls must now perform in front of an audience of almost 5,000 as the Wembley Arena auditions continue.

#8 - Live Show 2

Season 11 - Episode 17 - Aired 10/18/2014

The remaining contestants perform tracks from the 1980s in the second live studio round.

#9 - Room Auditions 2

Season 11 - Episode 2 - Aired 8/31/2014

The closed-room auditions continue as more solo singers and groups attempt to prove they are worthy of a record contract. For those who impress the judges move on to the second round of performances at Wembley.

#10 - Room Auditions 3

Season 11 - Episode 3 - Aired 9/6/2014

As the closed-room auditions continue, more aspiring pop stars join the race for a record deal.

#11 - Judges' Houses 3

Season 11 - Episode 14 - Aired 10/5/2014

As the judges' houses stage concludes, 24 acts pack their bags and prepare to head home, while the dozen who have made it to the live shows cope with the pressure as the real work begins.

#12 - Arena Auditions 4

Season 11 - Episode 8 - Aired 9/21/2014

Having impressed the judges in the audition room, the aspiring pop stars now have the more daunting challenge of captivating a huge audience at Wembley Arena, as Simon, Cheryl, Mel B, and Louis make their final selections for boot camp.

#13 - Room Auditions 4

Season 11 - Episode 4 - Aired 9/7/2014

The search for a superstar continues as the judges give their verdicts on another line-up of hopefuls entering the audition room.

#14 - The Final

Season 11 - Episode 33 - Aired 12/13/2014

Fleur East, Ben Haenow, and Andrea Faustini head to Wembley Arena to battle it out in the first part of the final. At the end of the programme, Dermot O'Leary announces the results of the public vote and the contestant in third place is eliminated. There are also performances by Take That, Ed Sheeran, and “All About That Bass” singer Meghan Trainor.

#15 - Final Results

Season 11 - Episode 34 - Aired 12/14/2014

The two acts left battling for the crown perform what will become the winner's single in front of 10,000 people at Wembley Arena, before they find out who has won this year's competition.

#16 - Semi-Final Results

Season 11 - Episode 32 - Aired 12/7/2014

#17 - Judges' Houses 2

Season 11 - Episode 13 - Aired 10/4/2014

As the judges' houses stage continues, the remaining 24 acts perform in glamorous destinations around the world. Across the weekend, the over 25s try to impress Simon Cowell and Sinitta in Los Angeles, Cheryl is with Tinie Tempah in the French city of Nice to audition the girls, Emma Bunton helps Mel B select the best boys in Cancun, Mexico, and Louis Walsh heads to Bermuda with Tulisa and the groups.

#18 - Quarter-Final

Season 11 - Episode 29 - Aired 11/29/2014

The acts each perform two songs - one of them chosen by the public - as they battle for places in next week's semi-final.

#19 - Live Show 1

Season 11 - Episode 15 - Aired 10/11/2014

The contestants perform a selection of classic hits in a Number Ones-themed show. Simon Cowell mentors the over-25s (Jay James, Fleur East, and Ben Haenow), Cheryl looks after the girls (Lauren Platt, Chloe Jasmine, and Stephanie Nala), Mel B has the boys (Andrea Faustini, Jake Quickenden, and Paul Akister), and Louis Walsh is in charge of the groups (Blonde Electra, Only the Young, and the newly formed One Direction). The wildcards are also revealed, bringing the total number of acts for the live shows up to 16.

#20 - Live Show 5

Season 11 - Episode 23 - Aired 11/8/2014

The would-be chart stars perform hits from the back catalogues of two legendary music icons for Michael Jackson v Queen week.

#21 - Live Show 3

Season 11 - Episode 19 - Aired 10/25/2014

The remaining acts relive classic big-screen moments as they take on songs from the movies, battling to win votes from millions of viewers at home.

#22 - Live Show 1 Results

Season 11 - Episode 16 - Aired 10/12/2014

#23 - Quarter-Final Results

Season 11 - Episode 30 - Aired 11/30/2014

#24 - Live Show 6

Season 11 - Episode 25 - Aired 11/15/2014

The remaining acts get into the swing of things for the return of Big Band week. Battling to win praise from the judges and viewers' votes, they'll be hoping to sound better than ever with the support of live musicians, as they take on old classics and give modern pop songs a jazz twist.

#25 - Semi-Final

Season 11 - Episode 31 - Aired 12/6/2014

The time has come for the remaining contestants to show the voting public why they deserve a place in next week's grand final.