X Factor Winners from the past decade - Where are they now? | MarkMeets | Celebrity News, Music, Movies, TV, London Film Premieres

We have had The X Factor fever in the office all weekend and decided to look back at the previous winners to see where their singing careers took them after their big win!

Whilst some of the biggest acts to come out from the show like One Direction, Olly Murs, JLS, Ray Quinn, Jedward, Stacey Solomon never won; below we celebrate the talent of stars including Leona Lewis, Shayne Ward, Little Mix, Joe McElderry, Matt Cardle, and more..who were crowd series champions!

Series 12 – 2015

Winner: Louisa Johnson

Series 11 – 2014

Winner: Ben Haenow

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 was also snapped on a night out with Caroline Flack in Soho but told Holly and Phil on This Morning that they were actually in a larger group and he is still with long term girlfriend Jessica.

The singer has been working hard on his album joking he has been ‘locked in Simons basement’ when asked where he’s been.

Series 10 – 2013

Winner: Sam Bailey

Former prison guard Sam Bailey quickly released her first album The Power of Love in March of 2014 after her Factor win making it the fastest-selling album of the year at that point. She also toured with Beyonce 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.“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.

Series 8 – 2011

Winner: Little Mix

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

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. Following his second album he checked himself in to rehab in 2013 for addictions to alcohol and prescription drugs. His career may make a comeback as he is recording his fourth studio album.

Series 6 – 2009

Winner: Joe McElderry

A lilkable celeb, Joe also won Popstar to Opera in 2011 and The Jump in 2014

Joe McElderry won the hearts of X Factor fans and was crowned the 2009 Factor winner beating Olly Murs. The 25-year-old made 4 successful albums and is currently working on the fifth. Joe often tours and 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 starred 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.

Series 2 – 2005

Winner: Shayne Ward

Shayne Ward, who won the second series in 2005, bagged the X Factor’s first Christmas number one.

Shayne is still releasing music and recently bagged a role in Coronation Street.

Series 1 – 2004

Winner: Steve Brookstein

Steve Brookstein was the first winner of the competition in 2004 and his debut single went straight to number one in the charts.

However Brookstein was dropped by his record label just eight months later and now performs aboard P&O cruise ships and in pubs.