X Factor 2017 guide: When does the new series start and who are the judges?

The ITV singing extravaganza is returning to screens 
New series: Louis Walsh, Sharon Osbourne, Nicole Scherzinger and Simon Cowell make up the judging panel
ITV

The X Factor is set to return to ITV for its 14th series. But this year the singing competition's creator Simon Cowell is shaking things up with some interesting changes to the format

From auditions at Thorpe Park to original music, here’s what to expect from the new series.

Will the format stay the same?

The format of the show is set to remain largely the same, but Cowell has announced some intriguing tweaks.

Once again hopefuls will tackle two audition rounds, starting with the closed rooms, where they'll find themselves eye-to-eye with the judges.

This year, as well as audition stages in the usual UK cities like Liverpool, Edinburgh, London and Manchester, the judges also headed to Thorpe Park to try and find fresh talent.

Those who secure three or more ‘yeses’, are then given the chance to progress to bootcamp. This series will also see the return of the Six Chair Challenge before contestants will perform to the viewers at home in the live shows.

This stage of the competition looks to receive the biggest revamp, with Cowell cutting down the number of live shows to six this year.

“The early and middle rounds rate well so the idea is to do more of the middle shows and less of the live shows,” he explained at the launch of the show.

Meanwhile performers will be permitted to sing original songs, and there are rumours that themed weeks could be scrapped altogether.

The X Factor 2017 launch

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Will the Xtra Factor be back?

Unfortunately for fans of the sister show, it’s been given the axe this year as the series tries to modernise by expanding its digital output.

Which means former hosts Rylan-Clark and Matt Edmonson won’t be appearing on the 2017 series.

Who’s on the judging panel?

Despite changes to the format of the show, the judging panel will be kept the same as last year.

The 2017 series sees the return of Sharon Osbourne, Nicole Scherzinger and Louis Walsh joining music mogul Cowell on the judging panel. Alesha Dixon will also be making an appearance as she filled in for Scherzinger during some of the audition rounds.

Who’s presenting it?

Dermot O’Leary will be back as host to guide viewers and contestants through their X Factor journey.

Any clues about the contestants?

A self-made multi-millionaire, a Brazilian dancer who strips during her audition and a singing monk who has Simon Cowell seeing butterflies are among the acts hoping to win over the judges on this year’s show.

Host O’Leary described the monk’s audition as “off the scale”.

“I was really excited about her! Her audition was off the scale, she was so good. She was singing and then suddenly Simon’s talking about seeing a butterfly come into the room, even though it was at night. It was weird,” he said.

When’s it on?

The new series of the X Factor kicks off on Saturday, September 2 at 8pm on ITV.

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