About this season
The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent, contested by aspiring singers drawn from public auditions.
Episodes (30)
1. Auditions 1
Aired 16 August 2008 • 60 min
2. Auditions 2
Aired 23 August 2008 • 60 min
3. Auditions 3
Aired 30 August 2008 • 60 min
4. Auditions 4
Aired 6 August 2008 • 60 min
5. Auditions 5
Aired 13 August 2008 • 60 min
6. Auditions 6
Aired 20 August 2008 • 60 min
7. Boot Camp 1
Aired 27 August 2008 • 60 min
8. Boot Camp 2
Aired 28 August 2008 • 60 min
9. Boot Camp 3
Aired 4 October 2008 • 60 min
10. Boot Camp 4
Aired 5 October 2008 • 60 min
11. Elimination 1
Aired 11 October 2008 • 60 min
12. Elimination 1 (Result)
Aired 11 October 2008 • 60 min
13. Elimination 2
Aired 18 October 2008 • 60 min
14. Elimination 2 (Result)
Aired 18 October 2008 • 60 min
15. Elimination 3
Aired 25 October 2008 • 60 min
The 10 remaining acts return to perform live for the third time. This week each act has to perform a Big Band song. The judges give their verdicts on what they have heard. At the end of the show the phone lines are opened for this week's public vote.
16. Elimination 3 (Result)
Aired 25 October 2008 • 60 min
The finalists performed a cover version of the Mariah Carey song "Hero" on behalf of the Help for Heroes charity. This song will be released as a download on Sunday 26 as a download and Monday 27 physically.
17. Elimination 4
Aired 1 November 2008 • 60 min
Down to nine acts and the contestants must sing again for a place in next week's show. This week they must sing classic disco songs for the judges and the viewers at home. The viewers will then vote for their favourite and the two acts with the lowest number of votes will be forced to sing again for the judges who will then decide to save one act.
18. Elimination 4 (Result)
Aired 1 November 2008 • 60 min
Theme: Disco Celebrity Guest: Will Young Song performed by celebrity guest: Changes
19. Elimination 5
Aired 8 November 2008 • 60 min
Dermot O'Leary hosts the fifth live show of the series. This week, the eight remaining acts meet Mariah Carey and must perform her songs for the judges and the viewers. The viewers will then vote for their favourite and the two acts with the lowest number of votes will sing again for the judges who will choose to save one act and send the other home.
20. Elimination 5 (Result)
Aired 8 November 2008 • 60 min
Theme: Mariah Carey Celebrity Guest: Mariah Carey Song performed by celebrity guest: TBA
21. Elimination 6
Aired 15 November 2008 • 60 min
Theme: Best of British
22. Elimination 6 (Result)
Aired 15 November 2008 • 60 min
Celebrity Guest: Leona Lewis Song performed by celebrity guest: "Run"
23. Elimination 7
Aired 22 November 2008 • 60 min
24. Elimination 7 (Result)
Aired 22 November 2008 • 60 min
25. Elimination 8
Aired 29 November 2008 • 60 min
Five acts remain in the competition and the acts must now perform 2 songs each. This week the theme is American Classics as the contestants perform for the viewers' votes. The two acts with the lowest number of votes must then sing again for the judges Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh, Cheryl Cole and Dannii Minogue. Hannah Montana star Miley Cyrus appears in this episode.
26. Elimination 8 (Result)
Aired 29 November 2008 • 60 min
Theme: Songs by Britney Spears and American Classics Song performed by celebrity guests: "Womanizer" (Britney Spears), "7 Things" (Miley Cyrus)
27. Series 5 - Elimination - 9
Aired 6 December 2008 • 60 min
With only four acts remaining in the competition, we reach the 9th live show of the series. The contestants must each perform 2 songs for the viewers' votes. The 2 acts with the lowest number of votes will have to sing again judges Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh, Cheryl Cole and Dannii Minogue who, for the last time, will choose an act to send home.
28. Series 5 - Elimination - 9 (Result)
Aired 6 December 2008 • 60 min
29. Series 5 - The Final
Aired 13 December 2008 • 60 min
There are only three acts remaining in this week's grand final. After auditions, boot camp, the mentors' houses and nine live shows, the three acts remaining in the competition sing for one last time for the audience vote. The act with the highest number of votes will be crowned The X Factor champion of 2008 winning a £1m recording contract with Simon Cowell. Dannii Minogue is the only judge with no acts left in the competition.
30. Series 5 - The Final (Result)
Aired 13 December 2008 • 60 min