The X Factor 2017 live shows will see the sing-off switched around in a brand new twist.
In past series, the bottom acts have had to sing again in order to avoid elimination.
But this year it’ll be the top acts who have to perform a second song in a new format.
They’ll sing for the judges to decide who is crowned the best performer of the weekend and will be rewarded with a ‘mystery prize’.
In week one that will be a VIP trip to New York to watch P!nk perform live.
Meanwhile, those in the bottom of the vote will have no second chance this year.
The public vote alone will decide who goes, with up to two acts leaving on each Saturday and Sunday night.
A source told The Sun newspaper: “The sing-off had been popular but Simon believed that it had become sour and focused too much on who was leaving rather than championing the talent who was in the lead.
“He wants to celebrate the best acts on the show rather than give screen time to the less popular performers who haven’t struck a chord with the public.”
The insider added of the new ‘top two sing off’: “[X Factor bosses] feel introducing a sing-off between the top two will be a huge hit with viewers who will get to watch their favourite stars sing again each week, while the aim of winning a money can’t buy prize will add that classic Saturday Night Entertainment feel that ITV’s most successful shows, such as Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, have.”
A total of 16 acts have made it through to the live shows, the joint biggest line up to date.
They include Simon’s Groups Rak-Su, The CutKelvins and Sean and Conor Price, Sharon’s Girls Grace Davies, Rai-Elle Williams and Holly Tandy, Louis’ Boys Lloyd Macey, Spencer Sutherland and Sam Black and Nicole’s Overs Kevin Davy White, Matt Linnen and Tracy Leanne Jefford.
However they won’t be alone in the competition with four more acts joining them.
This week viewers had the chance to vote in four wild card acts, selecting one extra contestant in each category who was sent home at judges’ houses to make the live shows.
Alisah Bonaobra is the Wild Card for the Girls category while Talia Dean is the Overs wild card. Leon Mallett won the Boys wildcard vote while Jack & Joel are the Groups wild card for The X Factor 2017.
Eight of the contestants will sing tonight before the remaining half perform on Sunday.
The X Factor will be live tonight at 8:20PM and return Sunday at 7PM for the first weekend of live singing.