For the first time this series the contestants are heading into the SSE Wembley Arena. It’s the first time they’ll perform in front of a crowd this year. You know, just to add an extra layer of pressure.

Hopes are dashed, tears are shed and tantrums are thrown, but who will survive and earn a place in the coveted Judges’ Houses round?

Just when you thought The X Factor was becoming an altogether gentler family affair, it’s time to return to the musical colosseum for the merciless Six Chair Challenge. They had contestants running at a wall to physically fight it out for lines in a song last weekend, so it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, really. 

All four judges have been through this before

While last year saw Nick Grimshaw and Rita Ora take on the challenge for the first time, all four of this year’s judges have been here, done this and heard the boos. Not that that will make it much easier.

What’s next?

For those who make it through Six Chair Challenge it’s on to Judges’ Houses. And there’s some pretty cool locations up for grabs this year, including Ibiza.

It’s the first time this year’s crop of singers will face a live audience, and if previous years are anything to go by, they’d better steel themselves before facing one of TV’s most unforgiving crowds. They even broke our Cheryl once, pet.

Nicole dances!

Never one to refuse an opportunity to dance, Nicole just can’t resist busting a move to James Hughes’ stunning performance of Tina Turner’s Proud Mary tonight. 

After telling the young contestant to “sing his heart out” he promptly belts out the tune before hopping off the stage to perform right in front of the judging  panel. 

The audience loved it. Simon loved it. Sharon really loved it (Louis had to use a fan to cool her down afterward). But was it enough to convince Nicole that he deserves a place at her house in the south of France?

Irina Dedyuk makes quite the impression on Simon

Among those hoping to impress mentor Sharon Osbourne and make it through to the all-important Judges’ Houses stage is big-voiced singer Irina Dedyuk – and she holds nothing back as she performs Jessie J’s Mama Knows Best.

Not content with merely relying on her powerful vocals to make an big impression, Irina first tries to woo her mentor by dedicating her song to Sharon, “the mama of the X Factor”.  Then, before she’s even finished the first verse, she pulls off her show-stopping move – whipping off her skirt to reveal a smaller skirt underneath.

The move certainly catches Simon’s eye but was it enough to get Sharon on her side and send her through to the next round?

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So what time is X Factor on?

The X Factor is on tonight at 8pm on ITV