The X Factor Winners – Where Are They Now?

With performances from the likes of Adele, Coldplay, Leona Lewis and One Direction confirmed, not to mention the performances from the contestants themselves, the X Factor final is sure to be an unmissable weekend of television!

The action begins at 8pm, Saturday night on ITV1 with the results show beginning at 8pm on Sunday also on TV3. We can’t wait to see who will be crowned the winner of the 2015 X Factor so we took a look back at the previous winners to see where their singing careers took them after their big win!

Series 11 – 2014

Ben Haenow was the 2014 winner of the X Factor and X Factor Christmas number one with his cover of OneRepublic’s Something I Need, and in January he signed to Simon Cowell’s SyCo record label. He is currently working on his new album in LA which is set to be released in 2016. He is still with long term girlfriend Jessica.

The former van driver turned professional singer has been working hard on his album joking he has been ‘locked in Simons basement’ when asked where he’s been. We’re looking forward to hearing the new music!

Series 10 – 2013

Winner: Sam Bailey

Former prison lady Sam Bailey quickly released her first album ‘The Power of Love’ in March of 2014 making it the fastest-selling album of the year at that point. She also toured with Beyonce (Briefly) on her Mrs Carter World Tour but was dropped by Simon Cowell’s record label Syco records shortly afterwards.

The mum of three is working on breaking America and insists she has never been happier telling the Mirror: “I was pleased that Syco dropped me. “I know I’m not a Rihanna or Beyonce and will never be a world arena tour artist because I’m a 37-year-old mum of three”. She also said “I’m not a world superstar and I’m ok with that. As long as I’m working and earning money doing the thing that I love most, I don’t care.”

Series 9 – 2012

Winner: James Arthur

James Arthur’s 2010 X Factor song Impossible became the fastest-selling winner’s single ever but his success didn’t last. The 2012 winner came under controversy for a number of controversial comments including homophobic lyrics, bad mouthing musical peers and a ‘mutual’ parting of ways with Simon Cowell’s record label Syco. He is believed to be working on his second album though he has alot of people to win back in the industry.

Series 8 – 2011

Winner: Little Mix

Aren;t they amazing!!! Little Mix were the first and only group so far to win the X Factor and are now one of the most successful girl bands of all time. Jade Thirlwall, Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jesy Nelson were individual contestants before being put together on the show. The girl band debuted their album DNA which reached number 2 in the US charts overtaking the Spice Girls who got to number 5.

Their latest album ‘Get Weird’ is enjoying just as much success worldwide. The band mates have also hit headlines with their personal lives. Perrie Edwards, who was engaged to One Direction’s Zayn Malik, had a very public break up when he allegedly called things off over text message.

It seems the skys the limit for this successful girl band!

Series 7 – 2010

Winner: Matt Cardle

One of our favourite winners, Matt enjoyed a Christmas number one that sold almost 170,000 copies in its first two days of sale. His first single was written by former X Factor judge Gary Barlow. Matt’s had 3 Top 10 albums & sold out tours, Memphis The Musical & album 4 on the way. Matt has also just won Best West End Debut Award for his portrayal of Huey Calhoun in the highly acclaimed Memphis Musical.

Series 6 – 2009

Winner: Joe McElderry

Joe McElderry is one of the nicest guys in entertainment and won the hearts of X Factor fans and was crowned the 2009 Factor winner beating Olly Murs. The 24-year-old made 4 successful albums and is currently working on the fifth. He was also crowned the winner of the second series of Popstar to Operastar and performed at the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant for the queen. Joe also performs in pantos and musicals.

Series 5 – 2008

Winner: Alexandra Burke

Alexandra Burke won the 2008 X Factor with mentor Cheryl and got to perform with her idol Beyonce in an unforgettable final. Alexandra’s cover of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’, became the European record holder selling 105,000 in one day until Cheryl’s Fight For This Love was released in 2009. Alexandra is currently starring in the West End musical Bodyguard until 2016 replacing Beverly Knight in the lead role.

Series 4 – 2007

Winner: Leon Jackson

After just one album, 2007 winner Leon Jackson was dropped by his record label after and since then seems to have kept a low profile from the spotlight. He has not toured since 2011 but his Twitter says he is still working on his music. We’re holding out for a dramatic comeback! It could happen?!

Series 3 – 2006

Winner: Leona Lewis

Leona Lewis has enjoyed a very successful music career since her 2006 victory, especially in the US becoming the first Bristish female singer to top the US Billboard album charts in 20 years. Leona took home three Grammy Awards and has sold several million records on both sides of the Atlantic.

Leona is confirmed to perform at this weekends final so we are very excited to see her performance!

Series 3 – 2006

Winner: Shayne Ward

Shayne Ward was the first lasting X Factor success story. His debut single, “That’s My Goal”, became the fourth fastest selling UK single ever (behind, depressingly, Will Young’s Evergreen, Gareth Gates’s Unchained Melody, and Elton John’s Candle in the Wind), and his first, self-titled, album also reached the top spot. His second album also sold well, reaching No2, but after his third album was released in 2010 he was dropped by Simon Cowell’s record label SyCo Music. In 2011 he starred in 80s-themed musical Rock of Ages in London’s West End and later in 2013, he became a contestant on ITV’s Dancing on Ice. Shayne’s younger cousin Mike Ward was a finalist on the The Voice UK 2013.

Series 2 2005

Winner: Steve Brookstein

Steve won six million votes in the first X Factor final before reaching No1 with his first and only single, but was dropped by his Sony BMG label eight months later. In a public fall from grace, by 2009 he was performing in coffee ships. Most recently, Brookstein signed a new music deal, releasing his third album Forgotten Man in March 2014 – a release which failed to chart (Oh the shame).

Series 1 2004

Make sure you tune in to this the X Factor final this Saturday and Sunday at 8pm