The X Factor is a
British television music competition to find new singing talent. The ninth series began airing on
ITV on 18 August 2012 and ended on 9 December 2012.
Dermot O'Leary returned as presenter of the main show on
ITV, whilst
Caroline Flack and
Olly Murs returned to co-present
The Xtra Factor on
ITV2.
Louis Walsh,
Gary Barlow and
Tulisa returned as judges.
Nicole Scherzinger was confirmed as the fourth permanent judge after
Geri Halliwell,
Leona Lewis,
Rita Ora,
Mel B,
Anastacia and Scherzinger herself stood in as guest judges for the vacant position left by
Kelly Rowland. After the 8 December show, two of Scherzinger's acts,
James Arthur and
Jahméne Douglas, became the top two, meaning that Scherzinger was guaranteed to win. Arthur was announced as the winner on 9 December, and released a cover of
Shontelle's "
Impossible" as his winner's song. This has since gone on to become the second best selling
X Factor winner's single, just behind
series 5 winner
Alexandra Burke's version of
Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah".