The X Factor

Dannii Minogue, last year's winning judge, looks to have a tougher job on her hands this year mentoring the over 25s.

After weeks of speculation, tears and traumas, the final 12 contestants for the X Factor 2008 live shows were finally revealed tonight.

Finally, the most competitive category; The Girls were told that they would be whisked off to Cannes, and were overjoyed to learn that their mentor would be new judge, Cheryl Cole, assisted by fellow Girls Aloud member and best friend Kimberley Walsh.

The groups were next to hear where they were heading off to and who their mentor would be.

And so to the Over 25s who were thrilled to hear that they would be going to St. Tropez.

Storms, tears, nerves, forgotten lyrics and weird outfits; you guessed it, it's the Judges' homes stage of The X Factor 5. And tonight's show didn't fail to deliver the drama that the show thrives upon.

X Factor hopeful Ruth Lorenzo was talent spotted as a singer at her birth. Apparently when she was born, her umbilical cord was around her neck, choking her.

X Factor hopeful Rikki Loney has revealed that he was initially chosen as one of the lucky six boys to reach the judges’ homes stage of the competition.

Newly formed all girl band Bad Lashes are Emily McNamee, aged 19, Sophie Wilson, 23, from Hartlepool, and Samantha (Sam) Bennett, 21, and Stacey-Lacey Lincoln, 20, both from Durham.

Simon Cowell has reportedly offered new girl Cheryl Cole £1 million to stay with The X Factor next year.