So I thought it would be fun to see how everyone would rank each series in order. For me it would be:

1. Series 5
2. Series 7
3. Series 6
4. Series 8
5. Series 2
6. Series 11
7. Series 3
8. Series 1
9. Series 9
10. Series 4
11. Series 10

1-Series 5
2-Series 7
3-Series 6
4-Series 9(Loved every act bar Maloney who ended up ruining the series )
5-Series 2
6-Series 8
7-Series 4
8-Series 11
9-Series 3
10-Series 1
11-Series 10

Series 5
Series 7
Series 8
Series 3
Series 11
Series 6
Series 10
Series 9
Series 4
Series 2
Series 1

5 (perfection if you ignore Eoghan and the fact he topped the vote most weeks)
7 ( the most memorable)
8 ( most varied and unpredictable)
4 (one of few who liked this series)
2 (though found the final a bit dull)
6 (okay)
3 ( Some great acts and a whole lot of dross)
11 (meh)
10 (meh)
1 (very nasty series- especially the supposedly "feel good final"
9 (hated it- only one I have switched off before the end)

1. Series 7
2. Series 5
3. Series 6
4. Series 11
5. Series 8
6. Series 9
7. Series 3
8. Series 2
9. Series 10
10. Series 4
11. Series 1

My first four choices are by far and away the best series. X Factor was well at it's peak between seasons 5 and 7. Series 1-4 were poor on quality and series 8-10 despite producing a couple of success stories had nowhere near the diversity of the peak seasons and combined with a poor judging panel I think really hindered the ratings.

In my opinion this year was back to it's best, I know MANY will disagree but it's been the best series since it's peak, a good diverse group of contestants and good quality finalists and a good judging panel. Shame the ratings were poor but Series 8-10 have really lost XF a lot of viewers.

7 Matt Cardle
8 Little Mix
9 James Arthur
3 Leona Lewis
5 Alexandra Burke
6 Joe McElderry
10 Sam Bailey
4 Leon Jackson
2 Shayne Ward
1 Steve Brookstein
11 Ben Haenow

PS I added the winners to help jog my memory as to which was which.

11 first time I had a real favourite
7
5
8
6
4
9
2
3
10
1

From Best To Worst

Series 8
Series 7
Series 2
Series 6
Series 11
Series 3
Series 5
Series 9
Series 1
Series 4
Series 10

agree with you apart from, I would swap 9 with 11. This series has been the worst ever.