If there’s one thing we’ve learned after years of watching The X Factor, it’s to expect the unexpected.
From song choices to voting to what crazy costumes are worn from week to week, there’s always something we just didn’t see coming.
That’s without even mentioning the show’s history of wildcards for contestants who didn’t make the original cut.
That tradition is set to continue after the show made the big announcement that the wildcard element will be back last night.
It all came to light after what was a typically heart-wrenching judges’ houses episode last night.
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Nicole Scherzinger, in charge of the overs category made up of Talia Dean, Slavko, Kevin Davy White, Berget Lewis, Matt Linnen and Tracy Leanne Jefford, gave her hopefuls an exotic trip to remember.
She jetted them off to South Africa, where, as well as having to impress Nicole, they performed in front of special guest judge Stormzy, too.
Stormzy has also recently been named as one of the first artists to guest on this year’s live shows, performing on the first Sunday after former One Direction man, Liam Payne, kicks things off on the opening night.
However, after all the excitement, someone had to be sent home, and, to the surprise of many viewers, it was Talia, Berget and Slavko who got the boot while Matt, Tracy and Kevin made it through.
Elsewhere, Sharon Osbourne took her team of Deanna Mussington, Georgina Panton, Alisah Banaobra, Grace Davies, Holly Tandy and Rai-Elle Williams over to San Francisco, where she was helped to make a decision by her children Jack and Kelly.
After some emotional moments, Sharon decided to go with Holly, Rai-Elle and Grace, but it was host Dermot O’Leary who really provided the most shocking moment.
As the show came to a close, Dermot reminded everyone to watch tonight’s show, saying: “Join us tomorrow night where we have two more categories who will face their judge for a place in the live shows and we have details of this year’s wild card vote.”
That’s right, a wild card vote that hadn’t been mentioned until now.
Rumours suggest that the public will be given the chance to vote for one wildcard act from each category, allowing four acts to join the final 12 selected by the judges.
It was certainly news to Talia herself, who showed her surprise in a shocked tweet.
We’ll find out all about it in tonight’s second judges’ houses show, where Louis takes the boys off to Istanbul with a mission to select four finalists from Lloyd Macey, Aidan Martin, Sam Black, Spencer Sutherland, Jack Mason and Leon Mallett.
Louis will be joined by former chart-topper Mika, but it’s Simon’s guest who everyone is talking about.
That’s because he’s headed off to the French Riviera, with former judge Cheryl returning for the first time since 2015 to help him make some decisions.
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Simon and Cheryl will be running the rule over The Cutkelvins, Jack and Joel, Rak-Su, Sean and Conor Price, Lemonade and New Girl Band, but some will head home disappointed.
Still, the wildcard twist should give them all hope and we can’t wait to see who will be lining up for the live finals next week!