The X Factor 2017 is the ‘year of the Philippines’ according to host Dermot O’Leary.
Filipino acts are said to be stand out stars of this year’s series – which begins on Saturday night on ITV.
And Dermot thinks that 2015 finalists 4th Impact are to thank.
He said: “It’s the year of the Philippines! We had Fourth Impact on the show one year and I think they must have gone home and told half of Manila to apply for the show!
“It’s so lovely. They are a talented nation of singers.”
Returning X Factor judge Louis Walsh agreed: “It’s great because there are so many other shows, but this is the only one that matters, The X Factor, this is worldwide. We have so many people coming from other countries like Holland, a lot of people from the Philippines and America – everywhere, even Ireland!”
And Simon Cowell revealed he was keen for viewers to see the new faces.
“We didn’t want the same people coming back again. Now, there are a few people who have been on the show before. But when you’ve just got the same people coming back year after year, it’s boring for us; it’s boring for the audience,” he explained.
Simon added: “I noticed that this year people are flying in from all over the world to be on the show, they trust the show, and if they trust the show you have to respect them.”
And Nicole Scherzinger said: “I think because of X Factor’s reputation we’re starting to get more people from all around the world coming here because they know that we actually do make dreams come true, as cheesy as that sounds.
“Our proof is in the pudding. Former X Factor contestants are now artists and they’re dominating the charts.”
The X Factor returns to ITV on Saturday 2nd September and Sunday 3rd September at 8pm.