The X Factor is set for an ‘All Stars’ special – who could be on the line up?
A potential X Factor All Stars series is said to be in the works for this year in place of the usual series.
Show boss Simon Cowell announced the plans in February, with a series featuring a line up of past contestants.
Simon said at the time “I’ve had a meeting with ITV, I’ve told them what I think we’d like to do with X Factor because we’ve been waiting to have this opportunity.”
As yet no exact details have been confirmed but there have been rumours about who will – and who won’t – be on the line up.
According to The Sun newspaper, Simon is keen to get a number of big acts back including winner Leona Lewis.
2008 champion Alexandra Burke is also rumoured to be making a return together with Ray Quinn, who was runner up to Leona in 2006.
Meanwhile, Wagner and Honey G have both put themselves forward to come back, with Honey G saying: “Give the people what they want and what the people want is Honey G.”
Wagner added: “I’ll bring the fun. When I’m on stage I love it. I’m 63 but I feel really young.”
Also apparently in talks are 2009 X Factor stars Jedward, made up of twins John and Edward.
Edward shared earlier this year: “Well I can tell everyone that they’re trying desperately to get me and John. They’ve been emailing us, we haven’t confirmed it but they’ve asked us, they definitely want us.”
However a number of former X Factor contestants have ruled themselves out of the show.
They include 2005 winner Shayne Ward. He revealed in a recent appearance on ITV’s Loose Women: “I’m not going to be part of that, no. It’s only because I’m contractually signed with Kay Mellor for Band Of Gold.
“It’s going in to the theatre, we start rehearsing for that come mid-November and it goes through to March.”
And 2012 winner James Arthur said: “I’m still signed to a record label so I don’t think it would be right for me to take part in that way, but I’d definitely be up for helping out in some way.”
Current coach on The Voice UK, 2009 X Factor runner up Olly Murs also said no to a return. He told This Morning: “I wouldn’t go back on it, no.”
And while Rylan Clark-Neal said he “literally cannot wait to watch it”, he ruled out competing himself.
Fleur East was a little more coy when discussing rumours of the All Stars, saying: “I’ve done X Factor twice now, it gave me a huge platform but I don’t know if I want to go back and change those memories.”
2013 X Factor winner Sam Bailey however is up for a return – on one condition.
“I’d love to go back with other winners and perform again . . . so long as they fed me egg and chips in the canteen!” she said previously.
Another contestant who is up for the show is 2014 X Factor finalist Stevi Ritchie.
The X Factor typically airs from September on ITV but scheduling for this year has not been announced.
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