It was sunshine and smiles for The X Factor judges as they arrived for the first of this year's auditions.

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Tulisa Contostavlos at the NTAs last night

Police investigate Tulisa Contostavlos over 'cocaine dealing' claims after Sun sting

Police are looking into claims that chart star and past X Factor judge Tulisa Contostavlos was involved in a drug deal.

The X Factor judge and ex-N-Dubz singer Tulisa Contostavlos

Tulisa Contostavlos confirms exit from the X Factor

Tulisa Contostavlos has finally confirmed she will not be returning as a judge to X Factor this year.

Mel B is in negotiations to judge X Factor 2013

Mel B in talks to judge X Factor 2013

ITV bosses like her "Northern appeal"

Mel B is confirmed as a judge for the next series of America's Got Talent

Mel B confirmed as judge on 'America's Got Talent'

Could Mel B be to America what Nicole Scherzinger is to Britain?

Alexandra Roach as Becky

Utopia: They're coming to get you

New Channel 4 drama Utopia combines conspiracy theories, edge-of-your-seat tension and dark humour with a talented cast. It could turn out to be one of the TV hits of the year

X Factor's James Arthur set for number one hit

X Factor star James Arthur is set to top the singles chart this weekend after shifting more than 255,000 copies of "Impossible".

From left: Lucy Phelps, Hannah John-Kamen, Dominique Provost- Chalkley and Siobhan Athwal

First night review: The Spice Girls' Viva Forever!, Piccadilly Theatre

Forget girl power, what you really, really want from this show is more silly moments

X Factor sees ratings tumble

The X Factor's ratings slide has continued with Sunday's final pulling in 2 million fewer viewers than last year.

Cheryl Cole gives X Factor viewing figures a slight boost although numbers remain well down on 2011

The return of former X Factor judge Cheryl Cole has given the series a ratings boost but viewer numbers remain well down on last year.

Jack Osbourne diagnosed with multiple sclerosis

New father Jack Osbourne is facing a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.

Being Modern: Alt.Christmas

As the forces of commerce gather for the fast-approaching festivities, we would do well to guard against another stain that has, of late, indelibly marked the spirit of the season: "alternative" takes on our cherished traditions.

Piers Morgan quits America's Got Talent

The TV star has stepped down from the judging panel of the talent show after six years because he can no longer juggle his commitments with his CNN programme 'Piers Morgan Tonight'.

Rebecca Tyrrel: 'In The X Factor's land of musical mediocrity, Louis Walsh’s weirdness is the only oasis of intrigue'

Who knew that Louis Walsh says, "The best thing about The X Factor is it's real... nothing is staged"? Blessings upon him, for of course the best thing about The X Factor in its present manifestation – and who knew such words would ever appear in print? – is Louis Walsh.

Razor sharp, Winehouse changed the music scene for ever

There's no point seeking someone to blame – Winehouse's extraordinary insecurity lay at the heart of her troubles. Sophie Heawood recalls a difficult, funny, gifted and charming woman
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Special report: How my father's face turned up in Robert Capa's lost suitcase

Special report: How my father's face turned up in Robert Capa's lost suitcase

The great war photographer was not one person but two. Their pictures of Spain's civil war, lost for decades, tell a heroic tale
The unmade speech: An alternative draft of history

The unmade speech: An alternative draft of history

Someone, somewhere has to write speeches for world leaders to deliver in the event of disaster. They offer a chilling hint at what could have been
Funny business: Meet the women running comedy

Funny business: Meet the women running comedy

Think comedy’s a man's world? You must be stuck in the 1980s, says Holly Williams
Wilko Johnson: 'You have to live for the minute you're in'

Wilko Johnson: 'You have to live for the minute you're in'

The Dr Feelgood guitarist talks frankly about his terminal illness
Lure of the jingle: Entrepreneurs are giving vintage ice-cream vans a new lease of life

Lure of the jingle

Entrepreneurs are giving vintage ice-cream vans a new lease of life
Who stole the people's own culture?

DJ Taylor: Who stole the people's own culture?

True popular art drives up from the streets, but the commercial world wastes no time in cashing in
Guest List: The IoS Literary Editor suggests some books for your summer holiday

Guest List: IoS Literary Editor suggests some books for your summer holiday

Before you stuff your luggage with this year's Man Booker longlist titles, the case for some varied poolside reading alternatives
What if Edward Snowden had stayed to fight his corner?

Rupert Cornwell: What if Edward Snowden had stayed to fight his corner?

The CIA whistleblower struck a blow for us all, but his 1970s predecessor showed how to win
'A man walks into a bar': Comedian Seann Walsh on the dangers of mixing alcohol and stand-up

Comedian Seann Walsh on alcohol and stand-up

Comedy and booze go together, says Walsh. The trouble is stopping at just the one. So when do the hangovers stop being funny?
From Edinburgh to Hollywood (via the Home Counties): 10 comedic talents blowing up big

Edinburgh to Hollywood: 10 comedic talents blowing up big

Hugh Montgomery profiles the faces to watch, from the sitcom star to the surrealist
'Hello. I have cancer': When comedian Tig Notaro discovered she had a tumour she decided the show must go on

Comedian Tig Notaro: 'Hello. I have cancer'

When Notaro discovered she had a tumour she decided the show must go on
They think it's all ova: Bill Granger's Asia-influenced egg recipes

Bill Granger's Asia-influenced egg recipes

Our chef made his name cooking eggs, but he’s never stopped looking for new ways to serve them
The world wakes up to golf's female big hitters

The world wakes up to golf's female big hitters

With its own Tiger Woods - South Korea's Inbee Park - the women's game has a growing audience
10 athletes ready to take the world by storm in Moscow next week

10 athletes ready to take the world by storm in Moscow next week

Here are the potential stars of the World Championships which begin on Saturday
The Last Word: Luis Suarez and Gareth Bale's art of manipulation

The Last Word: Luis Suarez and Gareth Bale's art of manipulation

Briefings are off the record leading to transfer speculation which is merely a means to an end