X Factor Flops and Fortunes Part 1

With the X Factor set to return to our tv screens next month I decided to take a look back at some of the success stories and one hit wonders (that guaranteed Christmas number one) that have emerged from the franchise. Here is Part 1, series 1 - 5 :

Series 1

Steve Brookstein, who won the first series, probably brings to mind no hit singles or memorable performances and not just because this aired almost ten years ago, but Steve was definitely an X Factor flop. In fact, he has gone down in history as THE biggest X Factor flop.
Although his debut album reached number one and sold over 100,000 copies, he was dropped by his record label Sony just eight months after winning the X Factor. His follow-up album, which he released under his own record label in 2006, failed to even hit the top 100 and since then he has evaporated into the depths of X Factor history and is never really mentioned by Simon Cowell or anyone else associated with the show.
Oh well, let's relive his winning performance just to jog your memory...
Against All Odds



Series 2

In the second series, the expectations were high following the failure of last years winner, so when Shayne Ward bagged the title, he had a lot to prove.
Things looked promising at first, he had a number one single and debut album, won an Ivor Nevello award and even had a solo tour throughout the UK, so it's safe to say he had a lot going for him following his X Factor win. The real test came with his second album which managed to chart at number two and produce two top ten hits; all feats that Steve Brookstein had failed to achieve.
With this much success, things looked very promising for Shayne but even though his third album, Obsession, charted at number 15, he was soon dropped by Syco records and has not released any new music since 2011.
Shayne had the looks and the voice but not enough support from the label to make it in the X Factor history books...
No U Hang Up

Series 3

This series saw one of the first international breakthrough artists to come out of any talent show and it also happened to be the first female winner, Leona Lewis.
It was undoubted that she would be a huge star with a world-class voice and the integral popstar image, Leona just needed Simon's support to make her a success story.
She immediately signed a £5 million record contract with the renowned Clive Davis and this spawned a breakthrough career for Leona whose debut album, Spirit, debuted at number one in over eight countries including America. Leona made the headlines, charts and the record books for her second single, Bleeding Love, and many of her follow up singles from her debut album also reached the top five. She has since released two more hugely successful albums, embarked on a world tour and has become a household name and one of the biggest success stories for X Factor all over the world.
Bleeding Love
Trouble

Series 4

Could probably be accurately described as the least memorable year for X Factor as its winner quickly disappeared off the radar.
Leon Jackson had that always guaranteed Christmas number one and his debut album did reach the top 5 of the UK charts, yet he was dropped by Syco before he could even release a second album and hasn't even released any more music since 2009. He admitted that he had received no backing from his mentor, Dannii Minogue, or the X Factor boss, Simon Cowell, since winning the show.
To make matters worse he won the title of second biggest reality TV flop just trailing behind Steve Brookstein, who I think shouldn't have won first place because he, at the very least, holds the title of first X Factor winner, and Leon shows no signs of crawling his way back into the music industry any time soon.
Leon's fifteen minutes of fame are well and truly up!
Don't Call This Love

Series 5

This series saw multiple success stories which was a first for X Factor, especially for the groups category which had never had any real achievements.
There was, of course, the winner, Alexandra Burke, who stole the final with her spectacular performance alongside her idol, Beyonce. She went on to have quite a strong music career with three number one singles, a double platinum debut album and worked with the likes of Ne-yo, Flo Rida and toured alongside Beyonce. Ms. Burke also signed a six figure contract with Dolce & Gabbana; its safe to say she seemed to be following in the footsteps of fellow female winner, Leona Lewis.
Her second album, Heartbreak on Hold, was released last year and although the first single from the album reached number three and gained some critical acclaim, the album failed to reach the top ten and seemed to be the first dip in Alexandra's career.
Fortunately, she still has the voice, the look and the right people around her so fingers crossed for her next studio album which is set to be released sometime this year.
Elephant

For the first time in X Factor history, but certainly not the last, someone other than the winner went on to have a successful career in music.
Series 5 runners up, four-piece boyband JLS, signed to Epic Records soon after X Factor and dropped their debut single, Beat Again, which went in straight at number 1. This was followed by a number one album, a number one second single, a headlining UK tour and a Brit Award, which was a first for any X Factor contestant.
Marvin, Aston, Oritse and JB then hoped to break through in the US with the backing of Jay-Z; however, this never really worked out for them.
Regardless of this minor setback, the boys continued to dominate in the UK with their third number one single, The Club Is Alive, and a number two follow up album making them, at the time, the most successful group and male contestants to ever emerge from the X Factor.
Even with a third successful album and sold out UK tours, JLS announced they are to split at the end of the year after embarking on their third and final arena tour and releasing a greatest hits album.
At least they are bowing out on a high, something that a lot of X Factor contestants could take note of...
Hottest Girl In The World

Last but not least, Series 5 produced one more success story for someone who didn't even make it to the finals.
Diana Vickers only came fourth yet she went on to sign to Sony Music and begin work on her debut album in 2009. She had both a number one debut single and album, Songs From The Tainted Cherry Tree, once again flying the flag for the female X Factor contestants.
Although she decided to walk away from her contract with Sony in 2011, she has still been working on her music for the last two years and is hoping to release her second album this year having just dropped the title song from the album last week.
Music To Make Boys Cry