X Factor contestants

Leon Jackson is a Scottish singer who became famous when he won the 2007 series of The X Factor. Jackson auditioned for the fourth series of the show in Glasgow and was mentored in the Under 25 group by Dannii Minogue.

After winning the series, he released his debut single, a cover of Whitney Houston's when You Believe. This single went to #1 in the UK and Ireland pop charts.

On 12 October 2008, Jackson released his follow-up single Don't Call This Love, which went to #3 in the pop chart. Subsequent downlod-only singles failed to make an impact on the charts and in March 2009, Jackson was dropped from Sony BMG.

Useful links

• Official Leon Jackson website.

John and Edward Grimes (otherwise popularly known as Jedward) are a subling act who are featured on the 2009 series of The X Factor.

The duo have received extreme criticism due to their inclusion in the series - with many commentators saying that they have no talent whatsoever and don't deserve to be part of the competition.

As part of the X Factor groups, their mentor is Louis Walsh.

Elimination

On the 22 November 2009, John and Edward were eliminated from the series after appearing in the bottom two with Olly Murs. They sang Boyzone's No Matter What as their final song, but three judges (Simon, Cheryl and Dannii) opted to save Murs while their mentor, Louis Walsh, opted to save them.

John and Edward had previously appeared in the bottom two against Lucie Jones. Controversially, that vote went to deadlock when Simon Cowell technically voted for John and Edward, causing Lucie to be eliminated on the results of the public vote.

X Factor contestant Jamie Archer

Jamie Archer (also known as Jamie Afro) is a 33 year old musician from London and finalist in the 2009 series of The X Factor. He is the oldest entrant in the competition in 2009, and keenly aware that it's his last shot at a big break.

He has considerable experience on the London gig circuit, and plays a number of instruments, chiefly the guitar and finds performing without an instrument challenging.

As a member of the over 25 category, his mentor for the series is Simon Cowell.

Elimination

Jamie was eliminated from the X Factor on 15 November 2009 after appearing in the bottom two with Lloyd Daniels.He entered a sing-off, singing Queen's The Show Must Go On.

He received votes from Simon Cowell and Dannii Minogue, but Cheryl Cole and Louis Walsh voted for Daniels, sending the decision to 'deadlock' (where the decision is made based on public votes).

Kandy Rain are a four-member girl group from London who are finalists in the 2009 series of The X Factor. As part of the groups category, their mentor for the series is Louis Walsh.

The group formed after auditioning to be in a 7-piece band, when four of the auditionees decided to form an act of their own.

They chose the name Kandy Rain because "with candy as much as you love it, you know it’s not good for you and we’re going to rain on everyone’s parade".

X Factor contestant Danyl Johnson

Danyl Johnson is a finalist in the over 25 category in the 2009 series of The X Factor. He is 27 years old and from Reading. Johnson worked as a teacher before auditioning for X Factor.

Johnson spent some time at musical theatre school and has been a member of a number of boybands over the years.

His first ever live audition in front of the X Factor judges was described by Simon Cowell as "the best first audition I have ever heard". As a result of this, Danyl has received considerable attention in the USA.

The X Factor

Semi-Final & Elimination

On the X Factor semi-final of Saturday 5 December 2009, Danyl Johnson performed Man In The Mirror by Michael Jackson and I Have Nothing by Whitney Houston. He was praised on the strength of his performance and Simon Cowell said that he was the best singer in the competition.

X Factor contestants Miss Frank

Miss Frank is three-piece vocal group who are finalists in the 2009 series of The X Factor. The group, composed of singers Graziella Affinita, Shaniece Davis and Shar Alexander, all auditioned as solo acts, but came together as a group at the suggestion of judges Cheryl Cole and Simon Cowell.

The mentor for the group in the 2009 series of X Factor is music manager Louis Walsh.

X Factor contestant Stacey Solomon

Stacey Solomon is a finalist in the under 25 females category in the 2009 series of The X Factor. Stacey is 19 years old, her occupation listed as student and she is also a single mother of a 1 year old son, Zach.

Stacey - from Essex - has applied for the X Factor a number of times before but never progressed beyond the first stage auditions. As an under 25 female finalist, Stacey is being mentored by Dannii Minogue.

X Factor contestant Rachel Adedeji

Rachel Adedeji is a finalist in the 2009 series. She is a 17 year old student from London studying musical theatre. Adedeji previously applied for The X Factor 2008 and got through to the boot camp round before being eliminated.

Adedeji has attended stage school from the age of two and has sang in the musical Mamma Mia.

As a finalist in the under 25 females category, Rachel is being mentored by Australian singer and actress Dannii Minogue.

Elimination

Rachel was eliminated from the X Factor on 1st November 2009, after appearing in the bottom two for a third time. She entered a sing-off with Welsh singer Lloyd Daniels and sang Stop Crying Your Heart Out by Oasis. Both Louis Walsh and Dannii Minogue voted to save her. Cheryl Cole voted to save her own act, Lloyd Daniels and Simon Cowell created a tie-break situation.

X Factor contestant Lucie Jones

Lucie Jones is a finalist in the 2009 series of The X Factor. She is an 18 year old student from Cardiff and currently lives at home with her parents.

As a contestant in the under 25 females category, she is being mentored by Australian singer Dannii Minogue.

Elimination

Lucie was eliminated in the fifth week of live shows, on the 8th November 2009. She was one of the contestants with the least votes on the night, alongside controversial Irish twins John and Edward. She entered the sing-off with One Moment In Time and was given positive comments by the judges.

X Factor winner Joe McElderry

Joe McElderry was a finalist and the eventual winner of the 2009 series of the UK reality TV show, The X Factor. McElderry is 18 years old and still lives with his parents in South Shields. Prior to The X Factor, he was a student, but has also performed in some local musicals and won 'performer of the year' in the Pride of Tyne Side competition.

McElderry entered The X Factor in 2007 and reached Bootcamp but decided to leave the competition as he felt he was too young and wanted more experience. Since then he feels he made the right decision and is very happy to be back on The X Factor in 2009.

As an under 25 males category finalist, McElderry is being mentored by Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Cole.