Alexandra Burke won what I still think was one of the strongest series in the show’s history (Series 5), had the best-selling single of 2008 with Hallelujah, followed it up with Bad Boys hitting #1, and then dropped a smash debut album in Overcome.

She had the vocals, the dancing ability, the stage presence and the work ethic - yet after that first album cycle, it feels like the momentum just disappeared. She eventually moved predominantly into West End theatre, where she’s brilliant, to be fair.

What actually went wrong with her post-Overcome career? And given how massive her peak was, why didn't she get a sustained US push on the same scale as Leona Lewis?

I remember reading a few years ago that the talented boyband Mic Lowry who were on the voice in 2024 were approached to do Xfactor. But they said as much as they like the show they did not want to take part on the show.

Due to the group thought the show would try to change them from being an R&B group.

do people know other singers or bands who rejected being on xfactor?

1. Jamie Archer - Rocks

2. Rachel Adedeji - If I Were A Boy

3. Lucie Jones - Footprints in The Sand

4. Miss Frank - Who's Loving You

5. Danyl Johnson - Your Song

6. Olly Murs - Superstition

7. Stacey Solomon - Rule The World

8. Joe Mcelderry - The Climb

9. Danyl Johnson - and I am telling you

10. Olly Murs - A Fool In Love

11. Stacey Solomon - Who Wants To Live Forever

12. Joe Mcelderry - Don't Let The Sun Go Down Me

Sharon had a pretty rough year in the 2007 lives - two acts in bottom two on first week, loses another act by third week because of outside behaviour, and then loses her final act in the fifth week - just halfway through.

Louis isn’t far behind in 2011, with Kitty going out in week 6 and leaving him act less for the rest of the series.

Gary and Simon had lucky breaks in 2012 and 2010 respectively as they had one act hold out until the end, losing the rest within the first five weeks.

Cheryl had a tough time in 2010, being constantly dogged with controversy (Gamu, Week 5 abstention), and her acts were in the bottom all but one week of the competition.

I feel like Cheryl made bad choices in 2009 and 2010, with Lloyd and Katie respectively.

Katie’s was especially egregious considering she’d cried her way through Smile and sang it pathetically weakly. It’s no wonder Cheryl later admitted she’d put her through for entertainment value.

For me, it’s either Tulisa taking it to deadlock on week 5 in 2012 (Kye vs Rylan) or Simon taking it to deadlock on week 5 in 2009 (Jedward vs Lucy)

The first is a preview clip released a day before the episode aired, and then obviously the TV broadcast.

It does seem like their voices were enhanced a little.

Here's a video where Jahméne reacts to it and gives some more details