The first day of X Factor 2013's open auditions started on
Saturday at London's ExCel centre, and the amount of people who arrived
proved that the show has not lost its appeal.
Close to 8,000 hopefuls showed up with some queuing from 5am to secure a spot to sing in front of producers.
The look in their eyes showed they were hopeful of making it through to the next stage in the show where they will get to sing in front of the judges.
It is thought that Tulisa Contostavlos will not be back on the show, but that Sharon Osbourne could replace her.
One
face who will definitely be back on screens when the show returns in a
few months is Dermot O'Leary, who has been confirmed to present the new
series and was down at the open auditions today.
'It's always been a privilege to host the X Factor and even more so this year as its the 10th series. I can't wait to see how the contestants fare with our new double auditions.
'As always I'm looking forward to the laughs, the hugs, maybe not so much the tears, and watching really talented people... And some not so talented people. But that's the beauty of the show, you never know who's up next.'
A source said: 'the plan is to have the best of both worlds with regard to auditions. So the contestants will start with just the judges in an audition room. If they get through then they will go on to an auditorium.
'Bosses believe it will bring more warmth back to the show because they know how popular the audition rooms were with both contestants and the audience at home.'
But hopefuls who missed today's chance to sing for a spot on the hit TV show can still be heard.
There are further open auditions in Birmingham (Saturday 13th April), Cardiff (Saturday 20th April), Manchester (Saturday 27th April) and Glasgow (Wednesday 1st May).
Judges auditions will take place later over summer, but who will be on the panel remains to be seen.
Close to 8,000 hopefuls showed up with some queuing from 5am to secure a spot to sing in front of producers.
The look in their eyes showed they were hopeful of making it through to the next stage in the show where they will get to sing in front of the judges.
Listen to us! Almost 8,000 hopefuls attended the London open audition at the ExCel Centre
It
has not yet been revealed what big names will be judging or mentoring
the wannabe pop stars, but it is thought that Louis Walsh, Gary Barlow
and Nicole Scherzinger will all be returning to the panel.It is thought that Tulisa Contostavlos will not be back on the show, but that Sharon Osbourne could replace her.
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Walk this way: A member of the X Factor production team carried a sign to help guide the hopeful contestants to the right place
He
said: 'It's great to see so many people braving the cold and turning
out in their thousands for the first day of our auditions.'It's always been a privilege to host the X Factor and even more so this year as its the 10th series. I can't wait to see how the contestants fare with our new double auditions.
'As always I'm looking forward to the laughs, the hugs, maybe not so much the tears, and watching really talented people... And some not so talented people. But that's the beauty of the show, you never know who's up next.'
Looking their best: This girl applied lashings of make-up to her sing her best for show producers
This year the show will see brand new double auditions with the return of the audition room as well as the arenas. A source said: 'the plan is to have the best of both worlds with regard to auditions. So the contestants will start with just the judges in an audition room. If they get through then they will go on to an auditorium.
'Bosses believe it will bring more warmth back to the show because they know how popular the audition rooms were with both contestants and the audience at home.'
Best of cluck: This girl wore a chicken hat, showing that she could nail the style icon part of being a pop star
One
wants to try: Duke and Duchess of Cambridge lookalikes, Gabriella
Douglas and Simon Watkinson had the crowds doing a double take
There are further open auditions in Birmingham (Saturday 13th April), Cardiff (Saturday 20th April), Manchester (Saturday 27th April) and Glasgow (Wednesday 1st May).
Judges auditions will take place later over summer, but who will be on the panel remains to be seen.
Last year's judges: Louis Walsh, Tulisa Contostavlos, Gary Barlow and Nicole Scherzinger