What is the X Factor Six Chair Challenge, how has it changed for 2018 and is there now a golden X buzzer?
THE Six Chair Challenge is back to wreak havoc on The X Factor as the judges each attempt to whittle down the contestants to six acts each.
If the stage wasn't brutal enough, Simon and the rest of the judges have included an extra twist this year in the form of a new buzzer... so what do we know about this round which divides X Factor fans? Here's the lowdown.
What is the Six Chair Challenge and how does it work?
The Six Chair Challenge splits the hopefuls into four different categories and they are each assigned a mentor for the show, as they are then whittled down mercilessly to just six per group.
Contestants have to sing individually in front of the judges each act’s mentor then decides if they deserve one of six coveted seats – but they could be knocked out if their mentor decides to replace them with a subsequent performer.
There have been plenty of upsets over the years, including Janet Grogan – who was booted off by Simon Cowell in 2014 but returned to the show in 2016.
The lucky six left in the chairs win a spot at judges’ houses, the last stage before the live finals.
For the 2018 edition, a new element has been added to the challenge - the Golden X.
During the Six Chair Challenge, each judge will have the right to offer an act a 'safe seat', or the Golden X, which will guarantee them a place for Judges' Houses.
Which contestants made it through the Six Chair Challenge?
Last week, Simon and Ayda chose their final six. Here's who they picked:
Simon Cowell's Girls:
Bella Penfold (Golden X)
Ayda Field's Overs:
Ricky John (Golden X)
Why was the 2017 Six Chair Challenge controversial?
Last year, a major change was made to this notoriously tough round to make it just as tough for the judges as it is the singers.
The controversial change saw the category judge sitting in a far-off seat, away from their fellow judges, so they could not confer or receive support when making their cruel choices about who to take forward in the competition.
This also encouraged the live crowd to gang up on the isolated judge.
When is The X Factor 2018 on?
The X Factor continues on Saturday, September 29, at 8.35pm and ends at 10.05pm.
It airs every Saturday and Sunday night - usually around 8pm but the time can vary slightly week-to-week.
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The X Factor 2018 judges are Simon Cowell, Louis Tomlinson, Robbie Williams and his wife Ayda Field.
Last year's contest was won by Rak-Su who triumphed in the final over Grace Davies.