Acts from as far afield as South Africa, Italy, Poland and Hong Kong all try to impress judges Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh, Mel B and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini tonight.

Cheryl Fernandez-Versini admitted it was “hell” putting contestants through The X Factor’s six chair challenge.

Simon Cowell has said he is ready for “a ratings battle” after it emerged The X Factor is going up against Strictly Come Dancing in the TV schedules.