X Factor 2008 finalists

Tuesday, 7 October 2008

Twelve extra-talented acts are about to embark on the most special of musical journeys as the X Factor live finals kick off on 11th October.

Each of the four judges Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole, Louis Walsh and Dannii Minogue are mentoring three acts each as they launch their assault on the 2008 X Factor crown.

Here's all you need to know about the twelve acts vying for the biggest prize in pop...

The boys

Austin Drage
21-year-old Austin Drage from Essex really impressed Simon Cowell during the judges houses round. A budding actor, he has appeared in several top TV shows including The Bill and Casualty. When he was seventeen Austin was part of a boy band called Five Boys.
Austin's full X Factor profile >

Eoghan Quigg
Derry schoolboy Eoghan Quigg might only be sixteen but Simon Cowell thinks he could be the X Factor winner 2008. Eoghan messed up his song during the judges houses round but Simon still decided to let him sing on the live shows.
Eoghan's full X Factor profile >

Scott Bruton
19-year-old Scott Bruton was a Bluecoat when he went to his first X Factor audition but he handed in his notice after he made it through to Bootcamp. He still lives in Manchester with his family and started his singing career on the pubs and clubs circuit.
Scott's full X Factor profile >

The girls

Alexandra Burke
20-year-old Alexandra Burke didn't make the grade three years ago and Louis Walsh sent her home. Now she's back, more confident than ever and stands a good chance of winning the whole series.
Alexandra's full X Factor profile >

Diana Vickers
Cheryl Cole is definitely playing the wild card by selecting 17-year-old Diana Vickers. Her quirky voice won't be to everyone’s taste but if she manages to survive the first few weeks she could be a big star.
Diana's full X Factor profile >

Laura White
Student Laura White might only be seventeen but she is the favourite to win after impressing the judges at every stage of the competition. She still lives at home with her parents but will have to put her Creative Writing degree on hold if she wins.
Laura's full X Factor profile >

The over 25s

Daniel Evans
Humble pool cleaner Daniel Evans had the majority of the nation in floods of tears when he first told judges he applied for the X Factor because his late wife wanted him to. Dannii Minogue thinks Daniel has the ability to move the audience and can see him wowing in the live shows.
Daniel's full X Factor profile >

Rachel Hylton
26 year-old South East London girl Rachel Hylton hardly had the best start in life, having been in prison after getting mixed up with drugs and having five children at a very young age. But now she's back on track, Rachel wants to use her powerful voice to blow the other acts out of the competition.
Rachel's full X Factor profile >

Ruth Lorenzo
Ruth is a 25 year-old Spanish PR executive who has dazzled judges with her Mediterranean variations of pop songs throughout the competition. Dannii Minogue told her: "What we love about you is your emotion and your compassion."
Ruth's full X Factor profile >

The groups

Bad Lashes
Emily McNamee, Sam Bennett, Sophie Wilson and Stacey Lincoln are the four feisty North East girls that make up Bad Lashes. They are overjoyed after landing a place in the X Factor finals as they didn't get great compliments from the judges at first but eventually won Louis Walsh over at the Judges Houses stage.
Bad Lashes' full X Factor profile >

Girlband
Bristol-based female quartet Girlband didn't have a proper name when they first entered the competition, so they've kept "Girlband" - but as judge Simon Cowell said in their first audition: "That's ok". Tita Lau, Phoebe Jay Lau, Marisa Billitteri, Layla Manoochehri are hoping to do well in the X Factor after being told by Louis: "You should be really proud to have come this far."
Girlband's full X Factor profile >

JLS
Four-strong London-based vocal harmony group JLS are Marvin Humes, Jonathan Gill (JB), Ortise Williams and Aston Merrygold. When Louis Walsh gave them the nod, saying: "You're going through", they nearly fell over each other hugging!
JLS's full X Factor profile >