X Factor winners: Where are they now?
The 12th series of X Factor kicks off on ITV this Saturday but which previous winners went on to make it big?
Series 11 - 2014
Winner: Ben Haenow
Last year's winner Ben Haenow scored a Christmas number one with a cover of OneRepublic's 'Something I need' after appearing on the show.
The former van driver, who also gigged in bands around his hometown of Croydon, is now signed to Simon Cowell's record label Syco.
He is currently working on his debut album in LA which is rumoured to be released at some point in 2016.
Series 10 - 2013
Winner: Sam Bailey
Former prison guard Sam Bailey wowed X Factor judges in her first audition by singing Beyonce's Listen - and later went on to support her idol on one of the UK dates of The Mrs Carter World Tour last year.
Her first album The Power of Love was released in March 2014 debuting at the top of the album charts but she was dropped by Syco shortly afterwards.
She now has her sights set on breaking America but one of her last gigs was reported to have been in a bingo hall.
But thanks to X Factor, Sam, who already has children Brooke and Tommy with husband Craig, gave birth to a much wanted third child Miley in September 2014, whose godmother is Sharon Osbourne.
She said at the time: "I'd always wanted three kids but before the X factor we couldn't afford it. When I found out I was pregnant, I was like 'yes. I'm finally going to get my wish.'"
Series 9 - 2012
Winner: James Arthur
James Arthur's debut track Impossible was the fastest selling X Factor single ever but he has not continued to enjoy such success.
The singer-songwriter, who has been writing songs since the age of 15, was signed to Syco records but they parted ways in 2014 after Arthur became involved in a homophobia row over some of his lyrics.
Since then Arthur has been working on a second album and embarked on a The Story So Far Tour in May last year.
Series 8 - 2011
Winners: Little Mix
Little Mix became the first group to ever win the X Factor and have achieved world domination since.
Formed of members Jade Thirlwall, Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jesy Nelson, they were put together on the show and have since had three number 1 singles.
Their debut album DNA charted at number 2 in the US charts earning them the highest chart position ever held by a British girl group - overtaking the Spice Girls whose first album debuted at number 5.
As well as their music careers, [Perrie Edwards was engaged to One Direction star Zayn Malik](http://Perrie Edwards: "I) before he reportedly dumped her by text in August this year.
Hopefully things will turn out better for Jesy Nelson who recently got engaged to boyfriend Jake Roche, after he proposed with a little help from pal Ed Sheeran.
Series 7 - 2010
Winner: Matt Cardle
Matt Cardle beat One Direction to take the series 7 crown but things have not been plain sailing since.
He released an album which debuted at number two and did a duet with Mel C.
But he checked himself into rehab in 2013 for addictions to alcohol and prescription drugs.
However, his career now seems to be on the up and he is recording his fourth studio album, expected to be released later this year.
Series 6 - 2009
Winner: Joe McElderry
Joe McElderry won X Factor after appearing on the show for the second time in 2009 beating Olly Murs.
But despite huge success, the 24-year-old has not enjoyed as much time in the limelight as his cheeky chappie runner-up.
After topping the charts with his first single The Climb, Joe went on to make four albums - the first X Factor contestant to do so - and is currently working on his fifth.
Gay charity Stonewall named Joe a gay role idol in 2010 after he came out on his official website.
Series 5 - 2008
Winner: Alexandra Burke
Alexandra Burke first auditioned for the X Factor in 2005 but was not put through to the final shows by her then mentor Louis Walsh.
But under Cheryl's wing in 2008 Alexandra stormed to victory and got to perform with her idol Beyonce in the finals beating boyband JLS.
Her debut single, a cover of Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah', became the European record holder selling 105,000 in one day alone until Cheryl's Fight For This Love was released in 2009.
She has released two albums and is currently starring in the [West End musical The Bodyguard until 2016.](http://West End musical The Bodyguard until 2016. )
Series 4 - 2007
Winner: Leon Jackson
Scottish singer Leon Jackson beat Rhydian Roberts to the title in 2007 but was swiftly dropped by his record company after just one album.
Following his win, Jackson was the star of his own web series Leon's Life which ran until 2008.
His debut single 'When You Believe' - a cover of the Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey hit was the best-selling single of 2007.
According to his Twitter feed he is still performing and seems to be spending some time in LA but he has not toured since 2011.
Series 3 - 2006
Winner: Leona Lewis
Leona Lewis attended the BRIT school before finding fame on the third series of X Factor.
She became the first British female solo artist to top the US Billboard album charts in more than 20 years.
As well as this, she was the first British female solo artist to achieve eight top 5 singles - which she now jointly holds with Cheryl Fernandez-Versini.
Aside from her music she is an avid animal rights campaigner and made her acting debut in the film Walking on Sunshine last year.
Series 2 - 2005
Winner: Shayne Ward
Shayne Ward was working as a shop assistant when he won X Factor in 2005.
After enjoying relative chart success he released four albums - the latest of which Closer was funded as an independent artist.
He was dropped by Syco in 2011 shortly after his third album was released but went on to carve out a musical career.
Between 2011 and 2014 he starred in the West End's Rock of Ages and War of the World's as well as doing a stint on Dancing on Ice where he was knocked out in the fifth round.
Series 1 - 2004
Winner: Steve Brookstein
Steve Brookstein was the first winner of X Factor but perhaps the least successful.
His debut single 'Against All Odds' went straight to number one but Brookstein famously fell out with Simon Cowell and was reportedly dropped by his record label just eight months later.
He continues to perform and has appeared in the award-winning musical Our House featuring the songs of ska group Madness.
Brookstein also released a book in 2014 called Getting Over The X which "describes his journey from winning the X Factor to having the press and industry turn their backs on him".
Watch: The X Factor starts on ITV on Saturday and Sunday from 8pm.
Visit the website for all the latest news and gossip and see a sneak peak of what's to come in the trailer below: