You may have seen this or perhaps read a few articles about it. Basically, it's a singing competition and the winner gets a record deal but not always for very long.
It's not a popstar, we know, so it shouldn't really be in our 'Popstars' section, but until we get the classification business sorted out it'll stay here IF THAT'S ALRIGHT WITH YOU.
It's the brainchild of a certain Simon Cowell, though it was not a million miles away from Pop Idol which preceded it and was ended in the UK by Michelle McManus.
Leona Lewis is the best winner, while Matt Cardle is clearly the worst.
The early stages of the show focus mainly on people that can't sing but think they can. A lot of that bit is genuinely "LOL". For example.
In many ways the judges are the real stars and the show has helped Cheryl Cole briefly become the nation's sweetheart and Dannii Minogue land a Marks & Sparks ad campaign.
It has also given Louis Walsh a platform to develop strange catchphrases like "you're like a little Lenny Henry".
A US version of the show was launched in September 2011. It didn't do as well as expected but still did quite well. It was the Alexandra Burke of format launches.
Briefing