Louis Walsh, Simon Cowell and Nicole Scherzinger on The X Factor Celebrity judging panel with Dermot O'Leary as host
Louis Walsh, Simon Cowell and Nicole Scherzinger are back with Dermot in tow (Picture: ITV)

Following in the successful shoes of BGT, Simon Cowell’s other TV talent show, the X Factor, is getting a star-studded makeover for this year with a new take on the old format: Celebrity X Factor.

Instead of singing hopefuls from the anonymous public stepping forward for a chance to be in the spotlight, this year, already famous faces will get the chance to show off their singing skills for us, in a new celebrity edition of the show.

Dermot O’Leary is back on board as the host, as are Nicole Scherzinger and Louis Walsh as judges, alongside the ever white-shirt wearing Simon Cowell.

So, when can we watch the first episode of Celebrity X Factor and which stars will feature in the show?

When does Celebrity X Factor start?

The very first series of Celebrity X Factor will kick off this Saturday, 12 October, at 8.35pm on ITV and the line up looks pretty interesting.

Reality star Megan McKenna, Glee’s Kevin McHale and EastEnders’ Jonny Labey will all be competing in the Unders category while journalist Martin Bashir, actress Victoria Ekanoye and talk show host Ricki Lake are just some of the well-known names in the Overs category.

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Meanwhile in the groups, a Love Island supergroup comprised of Wes Nelson, Samira Mighty, Eyal Booker and Zara McDermott called The Islanders (naturally) will compete alongside band Try Star featuring former rugby stars Ben Foden, Thom Evans and Levi Davis. Strictly dancer Brendan Cole and actor Jeremy Edwards have formed a duo called Cole and Edwards (nice and original, that) and there’s also a girl band made up of influencers and bloggers called V5.

Ben Foden with Thom Evans and Levi Davis on Celebrity X Factor
Ben has teamed up with Thom Evans and Levi Davis to compete in Celebrity X Factor (Picture: Dymond/Thames/Syco/REX)

Asked in a recent interview whether formerly being married to pop singer Una Healy from The Saturdays would give him an advantage, rugby star Ben Foden replied: ‘She’d always, like, coach me a little bit. But she doesn’t have very much patience with me because I’m not the best singer. And, she’d be like, “do this” and I’m like “I don’t know what that is,” and she’d be like, “Everyone knows what that is in the singing industry”.’

The X Factor Celebrity launches on ITV Saturday 12 October at 8.35pm.

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