Thousands of aspiring pop stars turned up at the auditions, 120 battled it out at boot camp and, after the drama of the six-chair challenge, the best of those made it through to the judges' houses. Now the competition really begins as the final 12 perform live for the judges and millions of viewers at home. Each of them will be hoping they have what it takes to make an impression and stay on the show right up to the final just before Christmas. Simon Cowell is mentoring the girls' category, Louis Walsh has the groups, Nicole Scherzinger looks after the boys, while Sharon Osbourne has the over-25s.

The nation's favourite singing show continues into its second weekend of the live show phase tonight as the remaining contestants take to the stage to perform for the judges and audience at home, all in the hope of sealing their place in the competition for another week.