Following months of speculation, rumours and reports, ‘The X Factor’ UK 2011 has finally kicked off.
All four judges, Gary Barlow, Tulisa Contostavlos, Kelly Rowland and the only returning judge Louis Walsh were present and correct yesterday.
The Sun reports that some hopefuls learned that famously soft-spoken Barlow has a sharp tongue when the 40-year-old told a wannabe who performed twice: "I'm glad you sang another song because now you've been exposed.
"You were singing different notes. It was all over the place. It was terrible."
A rapper was told: "Go and have some singing lessons, and if you're going to insist on dancing, have some dancing lessons."
Former Destiny's Child singer, Kelly Rowland, joins the X Factor judging panel
Despite speculation that he was going to host the US version of the talent show, Dermot O'Leary also returned for the UK show, which began with auditions in Birmingham.
Dermot O'Leary received a warm welcome from 'The X Factor' fans
Caroline Flack and Olly Murs were also present as the hosts of ‘The Xtra Factor’.
Throughout the afternoon, hopefuls, already whittled down in the first round of auditions earlier this year, performed in front of the judges in a bid to make it to the ‘X Factor’ finals.
Louis Walsh seemed happy to be back on 'The X Factor'
Walsh has said that he's looking forward to the Liverpool auditions as a number of Irish contestants have applied to audition there.
Tulisa Contostavlos revealed earlier in the week that her mum is front Chruchtown in Dublin
