What happened to last year’s X Factor finalists?

Live auditions? Who would have thought it? Well, Simon Cowell, obviously. The crowds were allowed in to watch the assorted bunch of weirdos, misfits and occasional gem of a singer perform – not everyone preferred it - but the show won its biggest audience ever, peaking at 19.1million for the final.
There was more controversy: Cheryl  was told off for miming her own song, Dannii got into trouble for making a joke about Danyl’s sexuality and there were rumours of backstage tantrums from the finalists. But what have they all been doing since the competition ended? Let’s find out…
Kandy Rain, mentored by Louis, finished 12th
Voted off first – after receiving a mouthful from Cheryl about their skimpy clothing. Kandy Rain took her advice to heart and have been trying to improve their image ever since. As well as turning down strip club performances, the former lap dancers also appeared on the ‘make-under’ show ‘Snog, Marry, Avoid’. They’re still together, though their website remains under construction. Find out more (i.e. nothing): http://www.kandyrain.com/

Rikki Loney, mentored by Cheryl, finished 11th
He failed to make it through to Boot Camp in 2008 but you can’t keep a good Scot down, so he was back. But not for long. Rikki is working on new songs and touring. He doesn’t have a website – but he is very active on Twitter, where he’s friends with Will Young.  Find out more: http://twitter.com/rikkiloney1
Miss Frank, mentored by Louis, finished 10th
Louis’s second girlband didn’t fare much better than his first. However, since the show ended the girls, whose gimmick was rapper Graziella Affinita, have played almost 100 shows across the UK and Spain, as well as support slots for Taoi Cruz, Peter Andre and an upcoming show with Dru Hill. Cherelle Basquine recently replaced original member Shaniece Davis and the band have been writing new material which they promise showcases their 'feisty personalities'. Watch out for more news about the relaunch on their official site from 11 October - http://www.missfrankuk.com/

Rachel Adedeji, mentored by Dannii, finished ninth
After being in the bottom two three times, Rachel (friends with the winner from the year before,  Alexandra Burke) has been touring with other finalists and modelling – but she has also been contacted by songwriting team BNA, who have written songs with Puff Daddy. Watch this space.
Lucie Jones, mentored by Dannii, finished eighth
Welsh warbler Lucie moved to London and won the top role of Cosette in ‘Les Miserables’. She is also modelling at the elite Select agency and working on her debut album. Find out more: http://twitter.com/luciejones1 and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3ujlKb3Lv

Jamie Archer, mentored by Simon, finished seventh
Large Afro-ed rocker Jamie has done a series of gigs – and has received rave reviews – with one paper saying you “wonder why he didn’t win”. He’s working hard in the studio on an album and also spoke out on the recent Auto-Tune scandal:  “The public are intelligent enough to see through it.” Find out more: http://www.jamieafro.com/
John & Edward, mentored by Louis, finished sixth
Where to begin? Their own ITV2 reality show. A three-album deal with Universal. A single with Vanilla Ice. A tumble off the stage. Never out of the newspapers. They’re the winners of the show and it had nothing to do with singing. Find out more (as if you need to): http://www.planetjedward.net/

Lloyd Daniels, mentored by Cheryl, finished fifthThough he has no record contract yet, baby-faced Welsh boy Lloyd has been “gigging non-stop”. He claims he enjoyed his time on ‘The X Factor’ but would never do it again as it was hard work – and he lost 1.5 stones in stress. He is no longer in contact with his mentor. Find out more: http://www.lloyddanielsxfactor.co.uk/
Danyl Johnson, mentored by Simon, finished fourth
Incredibly Danyl has completed over 200 gigs since finishing fourth in ‘The X Factor’. There are no signs of an album out just yet but he has backed Zimbabwean singer Gamu Neghu to win this year’s show. Find out more:  http://danyljohnson.com/

Stacey Solomon, mentored by Dannii, finished third
She is determined to make the big time - but on the day the show started this year, she was without a record deal and playing the less than glamorous Upton Festival in Fish Meadow, Winchester alongside a Queen tribute act. She has also released a cover of the song ‘At Last’ for charity.
Olly Murs, mentored by Simon, finished second
He has recently been in the papers for falling out with his brother (he didn’t attend his wedding because of ‘The X Factor’), but there’s been better news for Olly - he’s on the verge of a proper pop career! His first single ‘Please Don’t Let Me Go’ hit number one in the charts, he has appeared on Radio 2 and he still hangs out with Robbie Williams. Find out more: http://www.ollymurs.com/ 

Joe McElderry, mentored by Cheryl, winner
Beaten by Rage Against The Machine to the number one spot after the show and almost invisible since, Joe has been in the studio with some big names. He’s halfway through his new album ‘Wide Awake’ – which he promises features input from the likes of Rihanna, Pussycat Dolls, Cher and Enrique Iglesias. His second single, ‘Ambitions’, is released next month. Find out more: http://www.joe-music.com/