The X Factor wildcard acts have been revealed and there are some surprises in the returning hopefuls.
During The Xtra Factor after Sunday night’s main show, spin-off presenters Rylan Clark-Neal and Matt Richardson revealed one act that would join the other four in each category at the judges’ houses.
A judge that was not in charge of one of the categories chose for their fellow panellist and, this year, Simon Cowell chose for Nicole Scherzinger, Louis Walsh chose for Simon, Nicole chose for Sharon Osbourne and Sharon chose for Louis.
Sharon also chose to bring back Honey G in place of Ivy Grace who was given a place at judges’s in the main show but was unable to take part because of visa issues.
On her return, rapper Honey said: “I think Ivy’s voice is incredible and she’s very talented. She definitely would have gone far in the competition if she had stayed.
“Obviously it’s a great shame she couldn’t progress but I’m very lucky and very happy to be back in the competition, a complete stroke of luck for me.
“I’m not just belting out an amazing voice, I am what is happening right now in the music scene. I’m the whole shebang,”
Samantha Lavery is the wildcard for the girl’s category and had originally won a seat during the Six Chair Challenge but lost it to Gifty Louise.
Samantha said: “I had no idea about the wildcard and couldn’t believe it when I got the call from Louis. I still can’t believe it’s real.”
Ryan Lawrie will be returning with the boys and has had quite the journey already on this year’s X Factor.
He originally auditioned as a solo artist, was put into a band by the judges at boot camp before making it to the Six Chair Challenge with them but they were then given the boot, with Simon telling Ryan: “We made a big mistake in not putting you through as a solo artist.”
But Ryan is now back on his own, saying: “It was totally unexpected and I was absolutely buzzing to get a call from Simon.
“I’m really excited for it and with all the feelings and emotions running through me it just doesn’t feel real at all.
“I want to show Nicole why Simon brought me back.”
Finnish singer Saara Aalto was chosen by Nicole for Sharon to return to the over’s category.
She performed very well at her first audition but Sharon wasn’t there at the time and she wasn’t impressed with her song choice during the Six Chair Challenge.
Sharon then felt more “disconnect” from Saara when she sung a second song by chose to sing in French.
But Saara is delighted to be back, saying: “I’m so happy to get the wildcard from Nicole. She understood me from the first audition.
“This is the point that can change my life and I know I have so much to give.”
Yes Lad were also chosen to return to the groups category by Sharon for Louis.
The boyband from Salford were gutted not to get through to judges’ houses after quitting their jobs to pursue their X Factor dream.
They said: “We thought that was it and we were out. It’s so surreal to now be going to Louis’ house. We feel we’re the underdog and have something to prove to Louis.”
The X Factor continues on Saturday at 8pm on ITV1.