THIS fresh crop of X Factor contestants might be dreaming of fame and riches but it doesn’t always work out that way.
The glittering prize of a record contract with the mighty Simon Cowell may appear to be the gateway to a better life but all that glitters isn’t always gold.
Most of the past winners were dropped like hot potatoes shortly after signing to Syco and now suffer the indignity of being remembered as the real losers of the show, or not being remembered at all.
These days the unlucky winners earn their crust in less than salubrious venues rather than sold-out arenas.
Here we take a look at the show’s unluckiest winners…
Steve Brookstein
Steve won the first ever series of X Factor back in 2004 – but his success was short-lived.
The 47-year-old’s winner’s single failed to reach number one and he was then dropped from record label SonyBMG following a bust-up with Simon Cowell.
Ever since, the singer hasn’t exactly had the kindest words to say about X Factor.
In fact, just a few hours ago, he tweeted: “X Factor lose another half a million viewers and The Xtra Factor is down 50% on last year. Real music to my ears. Happy Bank Holiday Monday!”
Still, we hear his gigs at Costa Coffee branches are still going strong.
Leon Jackson
Remember him?
Us neither but apparently he won the show back in 2007.
He then went on to scoop the Christmas number one with his own rendition of Mariah Carey and Whitney’s iconic duet When You Believe.
The single allegedly sold 40 copies a minute at Woolworths, but after, his chart-topping career took a similar direction as the retail giant’s.
James Arthur
The world was his oyster when James won X Factor 2012.
His take on Shontelle’s Impossible shot to number one and became the show’s fastest-selling single. Ever.
James then made a chuffed Simon Cowell even more cash when his album sold some 1.25 million copies in the UK alone.
But everything changed after the singer became involved in countless spats on Twitter with fellow celebrities. When he then made the bizarre decision to include a homophobic slur on his second record, his career was over.
Matters got so out of hand that iTunes had to offer refunds on his album!
Sam Bailey
Sam parted ways with Syco just 14 months after winning the 2013 series.
Although she supported Beyonce, bagged a Christmas number one as well as a number one-selling album, it wasn’t enough to secure her future in music.
Last year, the former chart-topper was reduced to performing at a local Mecca bingo hall in Hartlepool.
Now though, we hear she is working on a new album – however, she’s having to fund it all herself. Awks.
Ben Haenow
Ben’s stardom was over before it even started.
The Croydon-based singer beat Fleur East to win X Factor in 2014 but he was dropped in January.
Although he appeared to win over the nation during his time on the show, Ben’s debut album only reached number ten – and that was the height of his career.
He then went on to collaborate with US star Kelly Clarkson on Second Hand Heart, but the track only reached 21.
We’re not too sure what he’s up to now, but we do now he didn’t give X Factor a shout-out when the new series launched on Saturday…