Simon back in X Factor UK

MANILA, Philippines - Simon Cowell is back to the judging panel of X Factor UK, the singing competition he created 10 years ago. After X Factor US ended last year completing only three seasons, Simon returned to X Factor UK, which recently started its 11th season.

The show is airing for the first time in Asia on the RTL-CBS Entertainment Channel. This time, Simon is joined in the judging panel by newcomers — former Spice Girls member Mel B (Melanie Brown) and erstwhile product of reality show (Popstars) Cheryl Cole — who will be with long-time judge, Irish entertainment manager Louis Walsh. Erstwhile judges Nicole Scherzinger, Sharon Osbourne and Gary Barlow will not be seen this season.

X Factor UK does not miss a beat despite the much-publicized and long-standing feud of judges Louis and Cheryl. The two hate each other and resort to verbally hitting at each other every chance they get. On the panel, they are seated with Mel B between them. However, this is not a setback. The show must go on.

Open auditions for X Factor UK started as early as April in Dublin (Ireland) then moved to Plymouth, Manchester, Gateshead and Liverpool (England), Cardiff (Wales), Edinburgh (Scotland), London and Birmingham (UK). Then the audition at the judges’ room followed in Manchester, London, Newcastle and Edinburgh.

Unlike in other talent shows or reality singing competitions (particularly American Idol or The Voice), the audition before the judges in X Factor UK can be seen by other auditionees waiting inside a big room. So everyone knows if a talent successfully got a resounding yes from the judges or the talent miserably failed.

Again, unlike in other singing competitions where talents individually audition for a chance to make it, X Factor UK has four categories — girls, boys, groups and over 25 — where talents can compete. In the end, however, only one winner will be chosen.

With the category of over 25, even contestants who are over 50 can try out and audition. Age limit for the talents was lowered to 14 from the previous 16. For the first time, viewers can also vote for their favorites for free.

Boot Camp will not happen this season. Instead, the judges’ house will be respectively held in separate places, with the judges assisted by their invited artists. Mel B will get help from fellow ex-Spice Girls member Emma Bunton and they will go to Cancun, Mexico with the boys. Cheryl will be assisted by rapper Tinie Tempah and they will go to Nice, France with the girls.

Louis will be aided by Canadian artist Tulisa Contostavlos and they will go to Bermuda to coach the groups. Simon, meanwhile, will be joined by his fellow former American Idol judge Paula Abdul and singer Sinitta and they will go to Las Vegas with the over 25.

Then the much-awaited live show will commence, with the four judges presenting their respective talents. Dermot O’Leary, who hosted X Factor UK since 2007, returns as presenter (host) for the 11th season.

After a decade of discovering talents, X Factor UK continues to surprise and amaze Simon who believes there are still many “incredible” talents out there who can impress him and even make the lady judges cry from the start of auditions.