X Factor 2014: The live shows - Week 1

It’s finally time for the X Factor contestants to face the music

The final 12 acts will be facing Simon Cowell, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, Mel B and Louis Walsh tonight (PA)

Tonight the 12 X Factor hopefuls will battle it out in the first week of the live shows. They have all shown their mettle in the previous rounds but who will shine?

From the jazzy Chloe-Jasmine Whichello to the operatic if eccentric Andrea Faustini, this year’s competition has a variety of singers.

Along with the selected finalists, there are four mystery Wild Cards – could this mean the return of intense Raign Rabin or perhaps likeable Essex chap Stevie Ritchie?

This year’s six-chair challenge to whittle down each category was gruelling for both judges and contestants alike.

The judges had to make decisions on the spur of the moment and left them little time to really consider their choices carefully. Perhaps they may have made the wrong selection in the heat of the moment.

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Hopefully, the Wild Cards will bring back some of our favourite acts for a second chance.

The results will be announced tomorrow evening when someone will be sent home.