The show feels very different this year. It's odd - yes it's a lot of the same, but somehow it has achieved a throwback feel without feeling entirely dated or repetitive of last year in particular. It feels different.

A very small - but in fact quite significant - example of this is the change in opening titles. We haven't had titles like these in a long, long time. They're probably most similar to the original opening titles, which links back to the throwback tone.

What do you think of the titles? Did you like them? How about the set design? It's old but all new, too. I like it a lot.

The auditions are like The Voice withut the turning chairs.

It's old look rather than new look, isn't it? I decided to give it a go this year because of the 'old' judges returning - all of whom I like.

Very pleasantly surprised. I've even shed a tear! (the brother song). Really enjoying it. Simon seems to have had a personality transplant and is maybe overdoing the 'we're doing a good thing here' a bit.

I'm pleasantly surprised

Loving the panel too

Nice to see Louis and Sharon back - but why did they have to bring Nicole shitsinger back and spoil it? I can't abide that woman..

Nicole is the only good one on the panel in my view.

I love Nicole.

nicole is still the only good judge

Really enjoyed it.

Glad Louie and Sharon are back at least.

Xtra Factor live is pretty good. Surprisingly ordered for a live show!!

Much improved on last year. The sh*t auditions are funny rather than just sh*t. I like it. It seems more together than it has been for the last few years. Liking Rylan on the Xtra Factor too.

It's better than last year

Totally agree.

Rylan and matt have a fantastic chemistry too.

I enjoyed it. The only thing that is a bit annoying is it isn't as tense as it use to be in the first few series the opening episode always was tense with that Choir music and the "It's Time To Face The Music" wish that had come back.

Just finished the full episode an now watching Xtra Factor. It's fantastic, ins't it? Loved the main show and loving The Xtra Factor - this total overhaul feels really fresh and suited to it's intended audience. Has a very BBOTS / Celebrity Juice vibe about it. I wonder if Britain's Got More Talent will follow this format?

As for The X Factor itself, I am very impressed. The judging panel clearly works; the show feels positive and friendly (which I think is party down to Dermot behind the scenes, as I know he conditioned that she show wouldn't feel 'cruel' anymore); there's good talent, and production-wise, it feels very slick without being over-produced.

Did anyone else like the judges introduction? Very minor part of the episode but we haven't had the 'dramatic shots' like that in four years. It's usually just been clips of them walking in front of the press. Was a nice throwback.


I would agree with this entirely. That is my only criticism - it didn't feel like event TV. It was friendly and light-hearted; not dramatic or exciting. The core fans of X Factor are going to note and miss this, but the general public will be thankful it's gone. If you look at the most successful shows on television today (Strictly, Bake Off and BGT) - it's clear that light-heartedness and light-viewing is what sells.

Perhaps in the live shows we will get back that level of drama. That usually happens.

Totally agree. I suppose in the last few years the judges that we have had wouldn't have suited the dramatic shots but Louis,Sharon,Nicole and Simon definitely work well with it.

I enjoyed it so much more.

Did anybody else catch one of the male contestants photoshoot pics used on the app ident before the first ad break?

I shed a few buckets of vomit. But apart from that - I watched the 90 minutes in about 20 on fast forward as usual

What do you mean by dramatic shots? What is different to previous years? Sorry I don't remember!

It was nice to finally see the original line-up reunited for the first time since 2007, alongside Nicole who i adore. Also great to see they've brought back the booth, loving the old school feel. Might be the first series i'll watch since after Sharon left.


Yeah, that was great. My favourite is still from the 2008 launch episode. Simon: "We're gonna to bring back Louis Walsh" *cuts to dramatic shot of Louis standing with lights beaming*

In previous years (2012- present) it's been mainly a camera going round the judges as they get out car but from 2004-2011 and this year they did proper photo shoots with them in dramatic X Factor style.

After a few years away from this I decided to watch it on catch up and it's still as stale and predictable as it was the last time I tuned in.

From the minute I watched the footage of contestants at home through to the crocodile tears for a song about a wee boy, which was accompanied with the almost predictable, I'll stop your rubbish song and ask if you can sing another moment, I knew the format had been tweaked but remains essentially the same tired old format.

As usual I don't believe for a single minute that any of the chosen contestants has just walked off the street. Instead they have been pre chosen and will now be manipulated for the viewing public from now until Xmas and a whole raft of media and news will make a profit from engineered headlines which have been pre written.

For me personally this show has been milked until the cow has not only dried up but has been turned into some mediocre dog food to be sold at Home Bargains.

All that said and bearing in mind I probably won't watch it again, I did find the Asian guys rendition of somewhere over the rainbow hilarious.

I really liked it.

I HATED Last year's first episode, I didn't even watch the rest of the series BUT this year seems so far so good.

For me, last night's opener was the best since at least 2013.

I watched it last night for the first time since Tuilsa's last series because I was hoping having the old panel back would make it fun again. I gave up half way through... it just seemed so tired. The fact that they showed every auditionee's backstory and had so few actual auditions didn't help.