The X Factor 2012 – meet the final 24 contestants. Including James Arthur and Union J!

Singer and guitarist Adam Burridge used to work in sales for a newspaper in North London before he set his heart on singing. Wowing the girls in the crowd before he even sang, Gary Barlow told him “Don’t mention your girlfriend.”

Christopher Maloney had a hidden, secret past - he used to work as a singer on cruise ships!

21-year-old singer Jahmene Douglas might have dropped standards after an anxiety attack at Bootcamp, but he’s Ella Henderson’s fave to win…

James Arthur, a 24-year-old from Middlesborough sings and plays the guitar, but his mum said that his comments about sleeping rough were “taken out of all proportion”

Jake Quickenden - a 23-year-old tattooed lifeguard from Scunthorpe - has recently overcome tragedy – his brother’s death from bone cancer – to stay in the competition.

Flamboyant Essex boy Rylan Clark admits that he spends most of his wages on Botox, fake tan and make-up. Thanks to being bullied as a child, the 23-year-old admits he’d rather buy make-up than food.

Starboy Nathan AKA Nathan Fagan-Gayle is a 25-year-old rapper and singer who's already toured with N-Dubz, The Wanted and JLS, but took the reality route to give himself a better crack at the music biz.

Another 16-year-old, Essex girl Amy Mottram wowed by singing Adele’s One And Only at the judge’s houses

She’s already been featured on SB.TV and has her own jazzy website and was under a management company for a while. The east Londoner also hates pigeons.

Jade Collins, a 17-year-old from Belfast broke down at bootcamp while talking about her absent father, who’s been in prison “ever since I can remember”

Mum-of-one Jade revealed she’s got a crush on Nicole Scherzinger. The Londoner, who works in a bike shop, said: “They only pick really beautiful women for the judges’ panel.” She’s right there!

Lucy Spraggan, 21, from Derbyshire sang her own song – Tea And Toast – in the audition stages, and also says that, thanks to being an out-and-proud lesbian, she’s already received fanmail from people saying she’s helped them to come out.

She might be only 16 years old, but Ella, from Lincolnshire, is currently favourite to win the competition after a soaring, stripped-back performance of Cher’s Believe.

30-year-old floppy-haired Kye Sones singer wants to do what Adele and Emeli Sande do, grumbling: “There’s no guys singing big songs so I’d like to fill that gap.” He caused some controversy when he claimed he was a chimney sweep – he was actually a relatively successful musician before The X Factor.

Carolynne Poole is no stranger to the reality TV competition circuit, she previously featured on Fame Academy. The 32-year-old from Leeds has also appeared on The X Factor last year, reaching the judges’ houses before Louis gave her the boot. Sounds like she’s got an axe to grind…

Nicola Marie, 35, from Derby is a tribute singer, and can do the splits, but this didn’t impress judge Gary Barlow, who said: “I’d find you so annoying if you were in my category.” The new Kitty Brucknell?

Scottish mum-of-two Melanie Masson caused controversy when it was discovered she’s worked with big stars such as Kasabian and Fatboy Slim, but her performance of a Janis Joplin song stood in the judges’ minds.

Brad Shackleton stirred up a bit of controversy when he tweeted his upset at not featuring in the first Boot Camp episode enough: “Great….still no sign of me on this show except for in the pub necking a pint!! Am I on this show???!!!!!”

Mitsotu's name means “Music Is The Soul Of The Universe” and sang Rihanna’s You Da One at the audition. They previously tried out Britain’s Got Talent this year, but are already on the path to doing much better on The X Factor.

Trio GMD3 have been compared to JLS and have already supported America’s Got Talent star Alexis Jordan on the UK leg of her tour.

Rappers and singers MK1 were forced to drop third member Will so they could progress to the next stage.

Scantily-clad twosome Poisonous Twins sang Telephone by Lady Gaga, but didn’t impress Tulisa with their outfits. Lucky for Stephanie and Sophie, they were put through by the other judges.

The Union J boys were selected after Rough Copy couldn’t get a visa for one of their members, and have already been compared to One Direction! They’ve had a fourth member, George Shelley, added to the lineup, and are now called Union J instead of Triple J.

These gorgeous Times Red lads were brought in to replace Rough Copy, too! Nice one!

Beatboxing trio Duke impressed the judges with their version of Seal’s Kiss From A Rose. From Cheltenham, let’s hope they have more luck in the series than another local from the area – Kitty Brucknell.