| X Factor | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | X Factor Dutch |
| Created by | Simon Cowell |
| Presented by | Wendy van Dijk Martijn Krabbé |
| Starring | Sharon Kips Lisa Hordijk (winners) |
| Judges | Gordon Heuckeroth Angela Groothuizen Ali Bouali Candy Dulfer Henkjan Smits Marianne van Wijnkoop Henk Temming Eric van Tijn Stacey Rookhuizen |
| Voices of | Jeroen Nieuwenhuize |
| Country of origin | Netherlands |
| Original language | Dutch |
| No. of seasons | 5 |
| No. of episodes | 35 |
| Production | |
| Producers | FremantleMedia, Syco |
| Production location | Studio 22, Mediapark |
| Running time | 60–120mins (inc. adverts) |
| Original release | |
| Network | RTL4 |
| Release | October 28, 2006 – July 5, 2013 |
| Infobox instructions (only shown in preview) | |
X Factor was a Dutch television music talent show contested by aspiring pop singers drawn from public auditions. It was shown Friday evenings on the RTL4 Network in the Netherlands. The show aired between 2006 and 2013 and was produced by Blue Circle. The "X Factor" of the title refers to the undefinable "something" that makes for star quality.
X Factor replaced the highly successful Idols, which was pulled from television after the third and fourth seasons.
In the initial televised audition phase of the show, contestants sang in front of the X Factor judges in the hope of getting through to the "boot camp". After a further selection process, the judges were each given a category to mentor and the chosen finalists then progress to the second phase of the competition in which the public vote on live performances. Judges have included pop singer and television host Gordon Heuckeroth, former Dolly Dots member Angela Groothuizen, Rapper Ali Bouali, and Alto saxophonist Candy Dulfer.
The first season of X Factor began in October 2006 and ran to February 2007. It was not as popular as Idols, and was won by Sharon Kips. The second season, running from January to May 2009, was more successful. It was won by Lisa Hordijk. The third season was won by Jaap van Reesema, Rochelle Perts won the fourth season, and the fifth season was won by Haris Alagic.