Last night might have been the X Factor 2015 grand finale, but if we’re being entirely honest One Direction’s final performance before their break is what really stole the show.

Simon Cowell, who mentored the boys when they took part in the show back in 2010, revealed that he’d sneakily got a load of One Direction’s famous pals to film a heartfelt video message as they gear up for their hiatus.

As they played, a video montage of the boys growing up in the spotlight appeared on the screens behind them, ensuring that there wasn’t a single dry eye in the house as the four boys gave each other a massive cuddle and no doubt shed a secret tear or two.

2015 has been a blockbuster year in television, from Game of Thrones’ fifth season to the ‘Who killed Lucy Beale?’ storyline in EastEnders.

It was a big year of change for Simon Cowell’s reality music competition as we said goodbye to long-time judge Louis Walsh and presenter Dermot O’Leary. Instead, we said welcome back to former Xtra Factor hosts Caroline Flack and Olly Murs and hello to new judges Nick Grimshaw and Rita Ora. While ratings may be on the slide, The X Factor - now in its eleventh series - continues to be one of Britain’s most popular Saturday night shows. This year’s contestants included Anton Stephans, Seann Miley Moore, Che Chesterman and the infectious sisters from the Philippines, 4th Impact. We’re still not over Mason Noise’s bootcamp meltdown…

The Voice returned for its fourth series on BBC One in January and began the year with a bang. Months before joining The X Factor family, Rita Ora honed her skills as a talent show judge when she replaced Kylie Minogue on the judging panel. The series was won by Scottish singer Stevie McCrorie, who was a member of Ricky Wilson’s team. [Photo: Wenn]

Britain’s Got Talent thrilled audiences again this year with another dancing dog act as Jules O’Dwyer and her dog Matisse won over the public’s hearts with their daring routines, including a tight-rope walk. The ninth series also saw magician Jamie Raven and Welsh choir Côr Glanaethwy impress viewers. However, BGT came under some fire when it was revealed that one of Jules’ other dogs, Chase, had performed part of Jules and Matisse’s routine in the final. The switch led to over 800 Ofcom complaints.

It was a big year in the Yorkshire dales and there was one common denominator when it came to drama: Robert Sugden. The villainous character began 2015 by accidentally killing his sister-in-law Katie Sugden and then caused one of Emmerdale’s biggest disaster storylines yet - a helicopter crash. Naturally, the chopper crashed into a barn hosting Debbie Dingle’s wedding and killed Val Pollard and Ruby Haswell. Multiple residents on the ITV soap later became suspects in Robert’s shooting. A highly anticipated flashback episode revealed that the shooter was none other than Ross Barton.

The BBC has got to be popping the champagne this year as its hit dancing competition has been pulling in on average four million more viewers than rival show X Factor. This year’s celebrity contestants include Peter Andre, Jay McGuinness and TV presenter Anita Rani, who are all favourites to win. As always, it wouldn’t be Strictly without some dancing duds and this year Iwan Thomas was the first to go, while chef Ainsley Harriot lasted longer than expected. The series also marks the last for professional dancer Ola Jordan, who has appeared on Strictly for nearly a decade. [Photo: BBC/Guy Levy]

Just as we began recovering from season four, it was already time for the fifth season of Game of Thrones. With Tyrion Lannister now an outcast, he sought an alliance with Daenerys Targaryen, prompting their first scenes together in the show’s history. Meanwhile, in King’s Landing, Cersei Lannister found her own plotting turn against her as she was imprisoned by the religious anarchists, the Sparrows, and forced to confess to various sins. There was even a heartbreaking scene in which she was forced to walk through the city, completely naked, while a nun yelled “Shame”. And in perhaps Game of Thrones’ biggest cliffhangers yet, the season ended with the death of beloved character Jon Snow. We’re still not over it!

There’s never a dull year in Weatherfield and 2015 was no exception. The year started with a mini-bus crash, leaving fan favourites including Steve McDonald and Carla Connor in peril. That wasn’t the only big stunt of the year as in May, Tracy Barlow started a fire at a block of flats in an attempt to kill her rival, Carla. Unfortunately for her, the fire instead killed Kal Nazir. The Platts also had a tumultuous year in Corrie as Sarah returned to Weatherfield with her daughter Bethany but soon found herself mixed up in brother David’s drama with his stepson Max. Max’s father Callum Logan terrorises the family with attacks on Sarah’s ex Jason Grimshaw and even drugs Sarah. The storyline came to a dramatic climax in a live episode in September when Callum finally got his comeuppance and was killed by ex-girlfriend Kylie Platt. Corrie also said goodbye to legendary character Deirdre Barlow, who died off-screen in July, several months after actress Anne Kirkbride passed away in January.

In perhaps the most controversial series yet, Big Brother returned to screens in May with a ‘Timebomb’ theme. This series saw another group of fame-seekers live together with Chloe Wilburn eventually win the series in July. The show’s time warp theme saw numerous blasts from the past return to the famous Big Brother house including Nikki Grahame, Brian Belo, Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace and the previous year’s winner Helen Wood. Helen’s return to the house sparked over 1000 Ofcom complaints after she teared into happy-go-lucky Brian, saying he looked like a ‘rapist and murderer’. 

Yes, the most popular TV show of 2015 is EastEnders. And is it any surprise? The BBC One soap finally revealed Lucy Beale’s killer in a week of revelations to mark its 30th anniversary in February. Yes, little Bobby Beale offed his own sister with a music box - and the nation was gripped with millions of viewers tuning in for EastEnders’ week of anniversary episodes. There were further shocks over the course of the year as Dean Wicks managed to avoid jail for raping Linda Carter and viewers saw the return of the presumed-dead Kathy Beale. Kathy returned to the soap and reunited with her sons Ian Beale and Ben Mitchell, but her return also led to a new villain terrorising Walford - her new husband Gavin Sullivan. The gangster was even revealed to be Sharon Mitchell’s biological father. What a year in Albert Square!

In one of the most shocking dresses of the year, former Pussycat Doll, Melody Thornton, left VERY little to the imagination when she hit the red carpet at the 3rd annual ELLE Women In Music event at Avalon on April 11.
Photo: Getty Images

Oh the perks of being a wallflower! Emma Watson accidentally revealed a bit more than she would have liked at the London premiere of 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower'. Her dress, while beautifully cut was dangerously cut too, and were it not for the carefully placed nipple daisy, we might have seen how perky Emma really is.
Photo: Getty Images

The combined plunging neckline, sheer top, no bra effect of this outfit for Khloe Kardashian's debut X-Factor hosting gig ended up stealing the show. Sure her hosting skills showed but something else poked through too. X-Factor boss, Simon Cowell was quick to point it out tweeting: "I think the air conditioning is on high tonight looking at Khloe". Awks.
Photo: X Factor USA

Heard of Micaela Schaefer? Neither had we before the German model rocked up to the Men In Black III premiere in Berlin and stole the show in a bootastic, asstastic, ridiculously revealing 'dress'. Get this woman a reality TV show.
Photo: Getty Images

Nicki Minaj says she feels exposed in her performances. Literally. A nipple slip can do that to you.
Photo: Getty Images

Whoa! For viewers of breakfast show, Good Morning America, this embarrasing live nip slip definitely crossed the line for early morning television. No one wants to see that before brekky! But that's the stunt-pulling, outlandish Nicki Minaj for you.
Photo: Wire Images

We're pretty sure Sharon Stone's top was much more modest when she tried in on in the shop. It's easy to imagine that she meant to flash a little midriff and ended up showing the whole package!
Photo: Getty Images

The great 'did she or didn't she' story of the 2012 Oscars was whether Jennifer Lopez flashed a little more than she intended while presenting an award at the ceremony. The jury's still out but we're guessing if you have to have this much discussion about it, then it could well just be a shadow!
Photo: Getty Images

Yes, that's right. Rihanna did put these nip-slip pics up on her own Facebok page. Oh well, what's some nip action when you've got that six-pack going on, right?
Photo: Getty Images

Madonna's been the Queen of Pop for years now, and frankly we're all a bit tired of her. That might explain why she went for this 'scandalous' move at a concert in Istanbul earlier this year. Madonna purposely flashed her right breast at the audience in a move that reeked of desperation.
Photo: Youtube

Pop star Sinitta has revealed she was pinned down on a bed by a guest at Simon Cowell’s holiday villa.

The pop star, who was in a relationship with Cowell for many years, said the X Factor mogul confronted the unnamed man after she fought him off at the holiday home in St Tropez.

The singer told the Sunday Mirror that she was taking the guest round the house to choose a bedroom when she was attacked, saying: “When we got to the basement, far from everyone, he said ‘Oh, I like this one. I like this one’.

“He threw himself on the bed with his hand behind his head and was like ‘yep, yep, this one is fine for me’.

“I was like: ‘Really? With no view, no windows? But if this is the one you like then so be it. Sleep well and I’ll see you in the morning’.

“I leaned over to say goodbye to him with a kiss on the cheek.

“He grabbed me, pulled me down on top of him and was suddenly on top of me on the bed.”

She added: “I was shocked but even at the moment I recall playing in my head: ‘Has there been anything about my ­behaviour or my demeanour that has made this man think that I am interested in him?’

“The answer was definitely no.

“I had to get away from him. I was struggling with him a bit but trying not to seem panicked. I fought with him and edged my way from under him.

“He could tell I was fighting him off but wouldn’t let me go.

“I managed to wriggle out from underneath and got to my feet and said: ‘What are you thinking’? But he was just smiling and sneering.

“He kind of smiled at me, kind of liking it. He said: ‘Oh is that what Simon’s into then? You taking charge?’ I was just thinking ‘you revolting person’.”

Sinitta said she backed out of the room and ran to tell Cowell.

Sinitta has claimed she was sexually assaulted by six men in the music industry.

The pop star, 54, told the Daily Mirror one of the attackers was a singer she had admired since she was a child, while another was an influential figure who tried to force her to perform a sex act.

The latest attack came two years ago, when an unnamed man tried to kiss her, she said.

Sinitta said she told close friend and former partner Simon Cowell about the attacks and he confronted two of the men.

But she was afraid to make her allegations public for fear of being seen as “public enemy number one” within the music industry and only now feels able to come forward thanks to the #MeToo movement.

She told the newspaper: “I was afraid to speak out as I didn’t want to end up in somebody’s car boot. These men are all powerful people.

“I’m talking now as I don’t want any more girls and women in the industry to have to go through what I did.”

Sinitta fears the music industry’s sexual harassment problem may be just as bad as Hollywood’s.

With the members of One Direction all working on other projects, it seems it could be Niall’s dulcet tones we hear first.

The Irish singer reportedly could soon be signing a contract with 1D’s label Syco for his own music, with a first single dropping next year.


A source told The Sun: “Niall is the band’s secret weapon – Modest Management and Syco believe he has what it takes to become a break out solo star.

“He has the songwriting and music talent, good looks and cheeky Irish personality which made him a favourite in the States. A deal with Syco is going to be signed in the coming weeks and Niall is already back in the studio writing.


“There’s a hit single there too, which will probably be released early next year.”

Harry Styles is currently filming the huge movie Dunkirk, directed by Christopher Nolan.


Louis Tomlinson, who recently had his first child, has reportedly left the band’s management company to sign with the James Grant Group to focus on producing and presenting.

Meanwhile Liam Payne is enjoying his romance with Cheryl.

Simon Cowell, who put the band together on The X Factor, recently admitted he is unsure if they will ever get back together.

He told Billboard: “I don’t know if it’s a hiatus or a break-up, to be honest.

“In a weird way, I don’t want to know. I don’t think they’ve had enough time to experience what it’s like not being in the group to really answer that.”

Harry Styles is reportedly locked in a bidding war between record labels Universal and Sony Music as he launches his solo career.

The British pop star officially registered four new solo songs, titled Already Home, Coco, Endlessly, and 5378 Miles and signed with new management last year (15) as he gears up to launch his solo career during One Direction's hiatus.

He is now reportedly moving himself further away from his boyband roots by leaving Syco, Simon Cowell's label with Sony Music, for his solo venture, according to Britain's The Sun newspaper.

However, Sony Music executives aren't prepared to lose the star so easily and are locked in a bidding war to stop him for moving to Universal's Capitol Records label, which will reportedly be managed out of the U.S. It is thought Universal's Polydor Records will represent him in the U.K.

“Harry is being offered so many incentives to stay (at Sony). They’re breaking the bank for him," a source told the newspaper.

An insider explains Harry is trying to distance himself from the pop group, and leaving Syco is part of a "masterplan" led by his new manager Jeffrey Azoff, the son of music industry mogul and longtime Eagles handler Irving Azoff.

Harry Styles really seems to be making the most of One Direction’s break, with the star recently cutting off his hair for a role in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming war film ‘Dunkirk’.

However, the star thankfully isn’t quite ready to leave the world of singing behind, with it now being reported that Harry is in the middle of a bidding war between his current record label and Capitol Records for his solo career.

One Direction have been managed by Simon Cowell’s record label Syco, which is owned by Sony, since they were signed after competing on The X Factor in 2010, however, it is thought that the star is not happy with them and wants to spread his wings.

If he takes Capitol Records’ offer, he will be sharing a label with the likes of The Beach Boys, Eagles, and Beck.

Speaking to The Sun, a source shared: “It was obvious from day one that Harry wouldn’t stay with Simon Cowell, Syco or a Sony label.

"He wants to move as far away from the band as possible and for him that means an entirely new team based in America.

"It’s all part of a masterplan being driven by his friend Jeff Azoff, who has set up his own management company to launch Harry as a solo superstar.”

However, Sony aren’t going to give up without a fight as an insider added: “Harry is being offered so many incentives to stay. They’re breaking the bank for him.

Rita Ora has denied reports she will join the Britain’s Got Talent judging panel – despite gushing she “can’t wait” to work with Simon Cowell again.

Punters have been flooding Ladbrokes with bets on her joining the show after she ditched The X Factor.

She tweeted: ‘I had a ball on X Factor. Simon Cowell, can’t wait to work with you again. I’ll be round for dinner soon. Thank you for the experience, love X.’

Alex Apati from Ladbrokes said: “If the bets we have taken over the last few days are anything to go by, we will be seeing Rita on BGT. We have slashed the odds to even money from 10-1.”

Ora, 25, above, pulled out of The X Factor because she needs time to promote her new album.

Cowell, above, will be the only returning judge from the fourstrong panel after Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and Nick Grimshaw also dropped out.

A telly insider told the Daily Star: “Rita loves working with Simon and BGT is a shorter show, which would potentially fit in with her schedule.”

But Rita’s spokesman denied she will join BGT.

Pictures Getty Images

Cher Lloyd says she would give Simon Cowell “a run for his money” if she returned to The X Factor as a judge.

The former contestant said she was missing her family and British culture since moving to America after finishing fourth on the ITV show in 2010.

Simon is the only judge confirmed to appear on the next series of The X Factor after Rita Ora, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and Nick Grimshaw announced they would not be returning.

Speaking at the BMI Pop Awards in Los Angeles, Cher, 22, said she was unsure if she would be able to return to the show because she was about to release new music.

She told the Press Association: “I’ve got a lot going on here at the moment. It’s been a while since all of that.

“I think I’d probably give Simon a run for his money.

“I miss my family. I miss the culture really. It’s a different culture here. I’m still getting used to it.”

Cher, from Malvern in Worcestershire, said she was no longer in contact with Cheryl, who was her mentor on The X Factor.

She added: “I think with me being here and just being so focused on my music, I don’t really get to go back a lot. I’m hoping to get back to release music soon.”

David Walliams was one of the many celebs to be struck by the curse of 2015, divorcing his model wife Lara Stone last year.

However, new reports claim that David has found somebody else to keep his bed warm at night, and it isn’t Simon Cowell…

According to the usual mystery sources, 44-year-old David has been enjoying a string of dates with 24-year-old Playboy model Emily Agnes, but she isn’t keen to take things further with the Britain’s Got Talent judge.

Speaking to The Sun, an insider dished: “Emily was flattered when David approached her and was even more impressed by his charm and lovely manners.

"He made no secret of the fact he was very interested and asked her out straight away.

"They went on quite a few dates and Emily had a great time but she was conscious that he recently ended his marriage.”

The father-of-one has previously been linked to Made In Chelsea’s Ashley James but was said to be “cautious” about entering a new relationship last year despite there being a “huge attraction” between the pair.

A source said of Ashley at the time: “David made his feelings clear. He sent her a bunch of white roses and a card signed ‘DW’.

It’s not been a great weekend of news for Simon Cowell. Firstly, Nicole Scherzinger snubs his job offer and now it looks as though Sharon Osbourne is too busy to take a seat at the judge’s table.

Rex/Shutterstock

According to reports, Sharon had agreed she would return to the talent show, but her commitments in the US are making it look very unlikely.

Sharon is a host on chat show The Talk, which films five days a week. She’d need to be jetting back and forth from the UK to the US - and would struggle to film the audition rounds.

A source told the Sunday People: “Doing both shows at the same time will be really gruelling for Sharon, and it’s hard to imagine how she can fit it all in.

“Obviously The X Factor haven’t confirmed her return yet but the logistics are going to play a major part in the final stages of talks.”

Simon currently has two empty judging seats to fill after the departures of Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and Nick Grimshaw.

With the final judging line-up for this year’s X Factor still very much up in the air, one name not in the ring is Louis Walsh’s choice, Nicole Scherzinger.

Pace/BEI/Shutterstock

According to reports the ex-Pussycat Doll has turned down Simon Cowell’s offer to return to the show to replace Cheryl.

Si is said to be keen on getting an X Factor veteran back in the judge’s chair, instead of relying on new blood like last year.

But Nic already has plans, opting for a role in Cats on Broadway instead. She’s obviously not feline the love.

Jim Smeale/BEI/Shutterstock

A source told the Daily Star: “Simon wants to know he is in safe hands this year after last year’s disaster. He wants everything to run smoothly. In his eyes that means a tried and tested panel rather than going for a big name who could be a  risk.

“He knows that Sharon, Louis and Nicole all work well. They offer the right balance of star quality, fun and personality.

Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

“Simon has really learned from Britain’s Got Talent that if the panel work well then everything else snowballs from there and that’s what he wants to create with this year’s X Factor again.”

Unless you’ve been living under a rock or the news of One Direction’s hiatus (sorry for bringing that up again) has overtaken everything else (ditto), you’ll be more than a little aware that in January, Louis Tomlinson became father to son Freddie.

And what a cutie he is - well, they both are, if we’re totally honest.

Copyright [Twitter/Louis Tomlinson]

After Louis spoke about fatherhood being ‘intense’ but ‘really exciting’ at the BRIT Awards, his grandad Len has been speaking about how the Doncaster lad is getting on.

After returning from a trip to LA, Len told regional news show ITV Calendar: “He’s learning very quickly to be a dad. I mean Louis wants to be a great dad and he is a great dad and will be a better dad. 

“But it’s all a new learning curve for him. I see him changing Freddie and feeding Freddie, like we all do and all have done.

Copyright [Instagram/Louis Tomlinson]

“But it’s a new phenomenon for Louis and he’s learning very quickly on his feet. I mean the baby’s very young, he’s only two months old. So there’s no real baby stories, apart from agaga agoogoo.”

Len also reassured fans that One Direction will be back (despite Simon Cowell’s not-so-convincing recent comments), saying that they WILL come back.

The original trio of American Idol judges, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell, celebrated the two-hour series finale with a fun, heartfelt reunion.

Abdul and Jackson first took the stage without Cowell on Thursday to congratulate host Ryan Seacrest for being the only personality to stick with Idol through all 15 seasons. As a reward they presented him with a giant "American Idol" neon sign that Seacrest admitted he had no idea what he'd do with.

After presenting the unique parting gift, the group was "surprised" by the 56-year-old acerbic Brit who walked out from behind them to complete the triumvirate while the crowd cheered.

Without skipping a beat, Cowell immediately struck up his love-hate relationship with Abdul once again, by giving her the "opportunity" to apologize for "being so mean to the contestants when we were trying to be nurturing and helpful."

"You were really horrible and now I think is the time to apologize to America," he continued.

Cheryl has CONFIRMED that she’s quit The X Factor to focus on her solo career, admitting that she’s missed making music.

After Olly Murs, Caroline Flack and Nick Grimshaw left the show, Cheryl has announced that she too is moving on, telling MailOnline: “I have had such an amazing experience being a judge on The X Factor. I have learnt so much and enjoyed nurturing talent but I’ve missed making music and am excited to be recording again.

“I want to thank everybody I have worked with along the way, especially Simon who I love to bits. I hope the show continues to produce stars and I wish them all the best.”

Simon Cowell added: “Cheryl and myself spoke about this. I totally understand her commitment to making more records. She has been amazing on the show and in the near future we will be working on other things together.”

A statement was also released, which said the singer ‘loved her time’ and has ‘many special memories from’ the show, but made the ‘difficult decision’ to focus on singing again after putting it all on hold last year. 

It read: “She loved her time as a judge last year, especially working with the groups like Reggie and Bollie but music is her passion and she missed that.

“She told Simon over dinner and he understands. She’s a big fan of the show and will watch when it comes back on TV this year. The show has played a big part in her career, there have been many high points and she is grateful for everything the show has done for her.”

PREVIOUS: The ‘Fight For This Love’ singer reportedly told Simon Cowell and friends that she was leaving The X Factor over a Hollywood dinner, with her boss said to be supportive of her decision, despite having already started talks about the new series.

Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and new flame Liam Payne are like “two little chipmunks madly in love”, according to Simon Cowell.

The 56-year-old told The Sun that he’s thrilled for his X Factor pal and the One Direction star after seeing how happy they are since they started dating.

The trio got together for a meal in Tinseltown and TV’s Mr Nasty said they were smitten.

“I saw them together and we had a really nice dinner. They were on good form,” he said.

“They’re like two little chipmunks madly in love. Literally, they were so cute.”

He added that Cheryl, 32, and Liam, 22, “both seemed very happy”.

Cheryl and Liam stunned the world when they revealed their relationship in a romantic Instagram post earlier this year.

As we continue to wait for any news about who will sign up for The Voice UK when it moves to ITV, Gary Barlow has ruled himself out of the running for one of the spinning red chairs.

Speaking to the Daily Star, Gary has explained that he won’t be taking The Voice up on their offers to make him a coach on the show.

He said: “I feel like I have been on the best talent show, which was X Factor.

“I have been asked a few times about The Voice but I don’t think it is for me.”

A source also spoke about ITV’s hopes of getting Gary involved, saying: “Gary has a great relationship with ITV due to his time as an X Factor judge. 

“It’s no secret he didn’t get on with Simon Cowell but he still has a great relationship with ITV. They love him.

Gary at the 2013 X Factor photocall. Copyright [Steve Finn/Splashnews]

“They know how popular he is and what a huge following he has and they are keen for him to join The Voice line-up.”

Simon Cowell has explained all about what happened when he met with Dermot O’Leary to discuss him returning to host The X Factor, admitting that the situation wasn’t awkward at all.

So now you know.

Dermot hosted The X Factor for eight years before handing the reins over to Caroline Flack and Olly Murs last year.

Last month, he confirmed that he’d be returning to presenting duties after Caroline and Olly both left the show, saying: “I’m very flattered to be asked back to The X Factor, and am currently dusting off my dancing shoes. There is nothing more exciting than hosting live TV on a Saturday night.”

Revealing all about how that ‘return’ meeting went, Simon has insisted that there was no awkwardness or tension, despite Dermot previously suggesting that he should rest the ITV show for a bit.

Speculation about his possible return has been rife ever since Olly Murs and Caroline Flack left the show, and now it’s been confirmed that Dermot O’Leary IS coming back to host The X Factor.

Hurrah!

Dancing Dermot confirmed the big news in a statement, explaining that he’s ‘very flattered’ and ‘excited’ to be back.

He said: “I’m very flattered to be asked back to The X Factor, and am currently dusting off my dancing shoes. There is nothing more exciting than hosting live TV on a Saturday night.

“The show is naturally very close to my heart, after having hosted it for 8 years. I’m really looking forward to it, and excited to be back.”

Copyright [Dymond/Syco/Thames/Corbis]

Simon Cowell added that he’s super glad to have the show’s former host back, saying: “Dermot’s back! Hooray! And so is his dancing! Welcome home Dermot.”

Dermot originally hosted the show from 2007-2014, before leaving and making room for Olly and Caroline to take over.

The X Factor have confirmed another change to the format too, with the scary room auditions also making a comeback.