0h, 2008. The year the world plummeted into financial crisis, the norovirus stormed its way through the UK and the Spice Girls ended their world-wide reunion tour. A bleak time.
But there was one little glimmer of sunshine in the form of a cracking series of The X Factor. You know, the one that brought us JLS, Diana Vickers and Alexandra Burke. Oh and that EPIC Beyonce duet.
The X Factor was also great for another reason. Louis Smith – who would later go on to become an medal winning Olympic gymnast – auditioned for the show and was absolutely schooled by Simon Cowell.
Before he went on to win medals at the Beijing, London and Rio Olympics (as well as taking the Strictly Come Dancing glitter ball in 2012) Louis auditioned for The X Factor, and was told by Simon to "stick to what you're good at."
OH, hun.
Louis performed his version of East 17's If You Ever in front of Cheryl, Simon, Louis Walsh and Danii Minogue, but failed to impress the judges.
Simon said: "It wasn't good enough. I don't think you'll ever be good enough.
"So stick to doing what you're brilliant at doing. For you to achieve what you've achieved at your age is incredible."
He then added: "My opinion? On to 2012!"
To be fair, it turned out to be pretty solid advice.
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