Hey guys, okay so i will tell you abit about myself. Im 24 and live in Northern Ireland. I have wanted an talked about entering x factor for some years now but I have never actually went through with it. However now I do feel l want to give it a good shot.

I have never preformed infront of anybody live although i do record my voice quite alot and from what people tell me my voice is good and i continue to try and improve it everyday.

So basically what i want to know is what way do the auditions work? should I just be myself at the audition or should i use a gimmick? I mean Iam quite unique compared to alot of people i know as I have alot of tattoos.

Could this be a shock factor lol

I do want to give this my best shot and i feel now at 24 its time to go though with it!!

So please give me some advice or tips if you have applied before, what u did etc etc?

Also anybody know if auditions will be back in belfast or dublin next year?

Thanks in advance

Next year isn't 2010.

Wow you are fast lol Thanks I just noticed it there lol

So common guys and girls any advice?

Don't do it

Why not?

Check with ITV to see if they can face airing the show again next year. It'd be a shame if you auditioned for nothing.

Okay guys I know everyone has there opinions but can I just hear from people who have or who know about entering?

Thank you

Avoid X-Factor like the plague and enter for The Voice.

https://www.bbcthevoiceuk.co.uk/application

Do you think they will scrap it? because of the viewers you mean?

Unless you want to sell your life and soul away, avoid.

If I were you, I'd upload a few videos on youtube. See how it goes down, let us comment on it. I'd put work into any other publisher, even independent ones.

I have heard about this. other people have told me about entering this, it does look good though!!

Sorry not to answer your specific question about gimmicks or not but, seriously, you've GOT to sing in front of other people first. Otherwise, how are you supposed to know if performing is actually what you want to do, never mind if you're any good at it?

Sorry, but it comes across more as if the instant fame attracts you more than music. You wouldn't be the first contestant to think like that but... erm... Frankie?? Is this the path you want to follow? That's not meant to sound harsh but you really need to consider your motivations and commitment. If they stand up to some self-analysis, I genuinely wish you good luck. But put in the work!

The above suggestion is a good way to get feedback. You could even, when you've uploaded some songs, try coming on this forum and asking for opinions.

The trouble with the X-Factor is that it has turned into a soap opera and they are more interested in back-stories and "attitude" than actual talent.

However that's just my opinion so keep asking around if you still want to do the X-Factor.

Good Luck!

What do you mean by sell your life and soul away?

Hey thank you for your advice!! Okay well apart from my voice I do have a really crazy backround and I dont mean that in a good way btw. Over the years i have been trying to get things into perspective and thats why i havent applied before. As I needed time to heal me if u understand what i mean

There's a contract in place so there should be a 2012 show, but I think the show will look very different next year to this year. It may be more serious; they may throw everything out of the window and make it pure light entertainment so, for me, you'll be throwing yourself into the deep end without knowing what's going to happen. If you have a past they're going to look into it; both to see how they can protect you and how they could exploit it for gains.

Everyone who enters The X Factor has to know what they're getting themselves in for - you could be lucky and get a relatively lucky ride a la Janet/Marcus/Craig/Little Mix (bar being axed and brought back as a group). Or you could be edited to the hilt and turn into a character.

The potential is there to really gain from the show; but there are a lot of pitfalls on the way. All I'd say is be aware of what could happen before you apply.

Well I don't know what your past is but if, for example, it has involved breaking the law in any way, you can be certain that the newspapers would be all over it if you were successful. Just by looking at some of the threads in this forum you can see how much criticism people have to put up with.

However, if you are tough enough then you may be able to handle that provided you are a reformed character.

I think the real problem is that hardly anyone on this forum has actually been a contestant. Our opinions come from what we see and read.

If I were you would take the first step of putting some songs on YouTube and getting some honest opinions (not just friends).

Hope this helps.

Hey thanks again for the advice. I do understand what you mean. When I say I have a past. I mean im not like a criminal or done anything bad to my knowledge anyway. The things that happened me are what some might say LIFE but that little more extreme. I dont really want to say about them online if u know what i mean! But I supposed they can also make things up which are not true aswell i suppose??

Any more tips for me ??

Hey thanks again!! Well just to let ya know ive never been in trouble with the law. My past with my family and myself are things that are out of our control. I and my family all of us have a handle on it. I understand what u mean though.

ANy more advice for me>?

I think devlinacious is right in getting a few more opinions other than those from friends and family; firstly it gives you a solid take on how strangers percieve you and it can gain you a small fanbase to work with if you get through on the show - especially if you promote yourself on forums such as this one.

Beware that the producers may also consider they can't mould you into what they want you to be, so if you're rejected it may be more down to the script they're writing than you're vocal talent.

But good luck, it'd be good to see someone from here on the show.

Because (if you get through) you will cease to be yourself; you will be whoever the producers want you to be in order to fit their narratives. That could result in you having your image trashed in the press and/or being made to appear as though your singing is terrible.

Or you could get picked for bootcamp, plan your songs, look forward to it for ages, then just be cut without being allowed to sing -

I want to audition next year aswell. Good luck.

What are your reasons for entering? Do you want to be a serious singer? Do you want to be famous, have all the girls/boys after you, sign autographs etc? If you want to be a serious singer I'd try The Voice but if you just want the fame etc try the X Factor.

Don't. Just don't.