The X Factor - ‘Wildcard Entry’ Returns To X Factor 2012

The X Factor will reprise its ‘wildcard’ entry for this year’s live show. The surprise element was last used in 2010 but the show’s bosses have refused to confirm whether or not they’ll be using it again for the 2012 series. According to the Press Association, though, a source from the show revealed “We like to add new twists to the show every year and this time the public get to choose an act to be added to the competition.”

Each of the X Factor judges – Tulisa Contostavlos, Louis Walsh, Gary Barlow and Nicole Scherzinger – will get to choose one failed entrant from their own category that they feel deserves a second chance. Of those four contestants, the public will choose just one to go through to the live stages of the contest. They will join the 12 finalists already chosen by the judges, who will start on the live shows, which begin on October 6, 2012. This weekend, viewers of the show will discover which 12 contestants make it through to the live shows after being judged in the ‘judges’ houses’ round. The four ‘wildcard’ contestants will then be unveiled on Sunday (September 30, 2012).

The source told the Press Association “With the standard so high this year, the judges had a tough time choosing their three, so this gives another amazing act the chance to perform on The X Factor stage. The four acts will be unveiled on Sunday night's X Factor on ITV1 - and phone lines will be open for the public to vote for their favourite from the end of the show until midday on Saturday.”