The X Factor final 12 revealed

They’ve sung, they’ve cried, they’ve flounced out. But now, the deliberation is all over. The judges and their assistants have gone through all the acts and from over 200,000 who auditioned we are down to the final 12. The live rounds begin next week, and the following wannabes are one step closer to the pop stardom that they have always dreamed of.

Here are the acts who are through to the final stages.

Simon’s groups

F.Y.D: London-based, talented song-and-dance act who Simon didn’t like on their first audition but warmed to them at his house.

1 Direction: Young (aged between 16 and 18) boyband consisting of solo entrants Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Zany Malik and Niall Horan.

Belle Amie:  Another group put together at bootcamp, consisting of Rebecca Creighton, Sophia Wardman, Geneva Lane and Esther Campbell.

Louis Walsh’s Over 28s
John Adeleye: 29-year-old care worker from London. Favourite to go furthest of the weakest category.

Mary Byrne: 50-year-old supermarket worker from Dublin. Good voice but has she that star quality.

Storm Lee: Emotional Scotsman, who moved to California and changed his name to Storm. Desperate to win.

Dannii Minogue’s boys

Aiden Grimshaw: Good looking 18-year-old from Manchester. He’s the bookie’s second favourite behind…

Matt Cardle: Down-to-earth former postman from Essex, who already has a lot of internet fans.

Nicolo Festa: Arrogant half Italian with a great voice but with an attitude that could annoy people.

Cheryl Cole’s Girls

Cher Lloyd: A controversial pick, the 17 year-old was put through despite breaking down in her audition and being unable to sing.

Katie Waissel: A 24-year-old fame hungry Londoner, who is desperate to succeed and already featured in the tabloids in a kiss and tell.

Rebecca Ferguson: The young Liverpudlian with a deep soulful voice who Cheryl reckons will become more confident.