Not a dry ice in the house: Shelley Smith is first contestant to sing for survival as The X Factor 'flash vote' comes into play on 80s night
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Just like that, we’re back - and the heat is already on as the controversial 'flash vote' came into play on Saturday evening.
It's hard to believe that almost a year has passed since James Arthur won the ninth series of The X Factor, but in the blink of an eye the Teesider is on the verge of releasing his first album and the show is back for the tenth consecutive year.
However, after an eighties night complete with shoulder pads, dry ice and obligatory power ballads it was van driver Shelley Smith named as the first contestant to perform for survival on Sunday's show.
Devastated: Shelley Smith learns she will be the first act to sing for survival on The X Factor
The singer had pulled out all the stops to win the judges over with a rendering of anthemic Heart track Alone.
A self confessed eighties fan, she got off to a shaky start but despite some initial nerves the 34-year-old pulled off a powerful performance.
Gary, however, was unconvinced.
'I know it's eighties night but I feel that you were stuck in the eighties,' he offered
So much more to give: Shelley chats to Dermot as mentor Sharon looks on
I'm gonna sing my heart out: Shelley Smith is determined to pull out all the stops after discovering she's the first person to sing for survival
Her performance was aided by the use of what Nicole later described as a 'Cher-lift,' but depite the onstage theatrics it wasn't enough to save her when the flash vote came into play.
'I'm just gonna sing my little heart out,' she told hst Dermot O'Leary. 'I'm just goona try my best - I've got so much more to give!'
The show kicked off with Gary, Sharon, Louis and Nicole taking to the stage for the first eighties night in the show's ten-year run.
Perhaps with that in mind, Nicole gamely opted for a metallic mini-dress with fringed overlay and embellished detail.
Back in time: Shelley Smith performs, but Gary felt her vocals were too dated
Cher-lift: Shelley performed with the use of stage props
Not convinced: Gary isn't too impressed with Shelley's performance of Heart power-ballad Alone
Her short fitted outfit was in stark contrast to the flowing evening gown sported by Sharon Osbourne.
With her distinctive shoulder pads, Mrs. O pulled off an eighties look that would have done Joan Collins proud as she returned to live shows for the first time in seven years.
But it was the former Pussycat Doll managed who came out on top in the style stakes as she introduced her first live act – teenager Hannah Barrett.
And we're back: Judges Gary Barlow, Nicole Scherzinger, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh return for The X Factor live shows on Saturday nigth
The 17-year-old’s place was initially put in doubt after doctors put her on vocal rest, but she turned in a decent performance of Tina Turner hit What’s Love Got To Do With It?
Much like her mentor, Hannah opted for a bold retro look comprised of a tight leather skirt, canary yellow blouse and lilac leather jacket.
‘You are going to be amazing as the weeks get on,’ raved Louis after complimenting her for handling the inevitable nerves that come with opening the show.
‘You’ve raised the bar,’ said Gary. ‘Not only for now, but for the rest of the series.’
Making an entrance: The judges take to the stage on Saturday evening
Here we go: The judges are in high spirits on eighties night
Nicole added: ‘You came out here like a champ, like pro... we’re off to a good start.’
That good start continued with 16-year-old Nicolas McDonald, who pulled off a rendition of Spandau Ballet classic True - complete with eighties stage staple dry ice.
'Tell me again how old you are?' asked Sharon before making a comical attempt at a Scottish accent.
Let's do this: Dermot O'Leary is back as host of The X Factor
First up: Hannah Barrett performs What's Love Got To Do With It by Tina Turner
Taking it in: Hannah, 17, takes in comments from the judging panel on Saturday evening
'You're singing a song from a decade that you think is like a period drama,' said Gary. 'But you pulled it off.'
'I'm really glad to be your mentor,' added Louis. 'I think you're gonna be here for a long long time.'
Miss Dynamix came next - and there was much riding on their performance; the girls were brought together at Boot Camp after Gary was impressed by the way they bonded together backstage.
Performing Jump by The Pointer Sisters, the girls were full of confidence as they took to the stage in a mixture of garish pastel colours, leather trousers and varsity jackets.
And the verdict is... Sharon Osbourne has plenty to say on Eighties night
Not a dry ice in the house: Teenager Nicholas McDonald was next up
Eighties staple: The young Scot performed a version of True by Spandau Ballet
Someone's happy: Gary grins as Nicole takes in one of the performances on Saturday night
Nicole seemed unconvinced. 'You've come a very long way,' she said. 'you sounded really good, it was a great song choice but I just wanted you to have a little more fun.
'Y'all know how to swag it out.You need to being your individual personalities into your next performance.'
'I kind of agree with Nicole,' said Louis. 'I think you're gonna have to work harder if you want to stay in the competition.'
Prison officer Sam Bailey was charged with daunting task of performing power ballad The Power Of Love by Jennifer Rush.
Impressive: Prison officer Sam Bailey performs Jennifer Rush hit The Power Of Love
Powerful: Sam turned in one of the most impressive performances of the night
Unbelievable: Gary raves over Sam's performance
The Over-25 looked a world away from her old self in a stunning evening gown and tasteful gold accessories - but it was her interpretation of the eighties classic that really impressed the judges.
'That was totally off the clock, you are in a league of your own,' raved Gary. 'What a performance...oh my God.'
'I am speechless right now,' added Nicole. 'I don't even know what I just witnessed. I mean, if this is what we're starting out with... where do we go from here Sam?
Louis was equally positive: 'You hit every single note. Sam, I think you're going to do very well.'
Making an effort: Sam Callahan aimed to win the judges over after coming under fire for having 'weak vocals'
Flirty: Sam gets close to one of his female backing dancers on Saturday evening
Hanging out: Sam and his dancers strike a pose following his rendition of Bryan Adams hit Summer Of '69
'You nailed it! I got goosebumps all over!' added Sharon.
Up on stage a humble Sam told them: 'I just wanted to show you what I can do.'
Next up was Sam Callahan, who attempted to hit back at his critics with a version of Bryan Adams hit Summer Of '69.
The teenager has been criticized for having 'weak vocals,' and the criticisms continued with mixed responses from the four judges.
'Were you happy with your performance?' questioned Sharon. 'Because you said you had to give the performance of you life.
'You've got as good voice, not a great voice, but your got the full package.'
Bang on: Kingsland Road perform Wham! hit I'm Your Man
Pals: The East Londoners listen to what the judges have to say on Saturday evening
Full of praise: Nicole gives the boys her opinion
'Tonight the vocals were quite poor,' added a nonplussed Gary. 'You've got to come out and deliver.'
Nicole agreed. 'You're not the strongest in the competition but you have determination,' she said. 'I see the eye of the tiger in you.'
'Nobody works harder than Sam,' said Louis, adding: 'You're like a little Bryan Adams.'
No eighties night would be complete without a bit of Wham!, and it was duly served up by the next act, East Londoners Kingsland Road, who took to the stage with I'm Your Man.
'Boys, I'm not gonna lie - I was impressed,' started Nicole. 'You had a lot of choreography but you clung on to those vocals.'
On a wing and a prayer: Abi Alton performs Bon Jovi hit Livin' On A Prayer
Stripped back: Abi performed a pared back version of the soft rock anthem
'You're gonna go an awful long way,' said Sharon, before honing in on 19-year-old band-member Joseph 'Connor' Conaby.
'Connor, you are driving me mad - you look like Leonardo DiCaprio!'
'This will be the performance everybody is looking forward to all week,' concluded Gary.
So emotional: Lorna Simpson won the judges over with her performance of the Whitney Houston classic
Raunchy: Lorna performs with a troupe of hunky backing dancers
'Tonight you stripped it all back' added Nicole, disagreeing with her fellow judge. 'Good job - and I'm jealous of your Cher-lift! I'm still waiting for one of those.'
The stage props were pared back for supermarket checkout girl Abi Alton's interpretation of Bon Jovi smash Livin' On A Prayer.
Indeed, the soft rock anthem was transformed into a lush, piano driven ballad in the hands of the talented teenager, who took to the stage looking remarkably like Greek folk singer Nana Mouskouri.
'What an amazing interpretation, you couldn't hear a pin drop - you changed it totally!' raved Louis.
Youngster: Tamera Foster, 16, turns in a powerful performance
Giving it her all: Tamera works her way through an energetic performance
'My goodness that song was unrecognizable,' agreed Sharon.
'You could hear a pin drop in this room, I think you're amazing,' Gary added.
Those comments meant Lorna Simpson had much to do in terms of winning over the judges with a rendition of Whitney Houston's So Emotional.
The singer took to the stage with a troupe of semi-clad backing dancers after being dubbed one of the favorites to face The X Factor axe this weekend.
'I have to be honest, I didn't really remember you from before but tonight you filled the entire place with that voice,' said Nicole.
Getting hairy: Tousle-haired Luke Friend chats to host Dermot O'Leary following his performance
So much to say: Nicole gives her verdict on Saturday evening
'You've got a very powerful disco voice,' said Louis. 'And Sharon, you're eyes were wondering over those dancers!'
'You were a bit unsure, but as soon as your voice kicked in it all took off,' added Sharon.
Gravesend girl Tamera Foster - at 16 the youngest in the competition - impressed after pulling off a stunning performance of Chaka Khan's disco classic Ain't Nobody.
'If we're looking for an out of the box pop star with an amazing image - that's you,' said Louis.
'You're very exotic, you have an exotic name, you look exotic and you sing pretty damn good too,' added Louis
Threesome: Rough Copy take to the stage with returning band-member Kazeem
'We're looking for someone who can sell millions of records, someone who when you walk into a room you know you're meeting pop star. That's you - you've got the X Factor,' gushed Gary.
While Tamera left to positive comments, it was an altogether mixed response for the following act - tousle-haired Luke Friend, who attempted Every Breath You Take by The Police.
'You gave it your all, the performance value was bang on,' said Sharon. 'Your voice isn't the greatest...but you don't need it with that face,'
Added Gary: 'Luke, I do think your voice is an acquired taste but I do like it.'
Urban act Rough Copy ended the show in style with a version of Phil Collins hit In The Air.
High praise: The band won rave comments from the judges for their performance of In The Air by Phil Collins
Doing it: The band finished the show with their performance of the Eighties ballad
It was an unusual song choice for the group - who took to the stage as a three-piece following he return of founding member Kazeem.
'I don't know how to say this, but you might be the best band I have EVER seen,' said Nicole.
'That was the surprise of the night for me,' raved Louis 'Nothing rough about it...I love the staging. There has to be a gap in the market for a band like this.'
'You've been waiting for a moment like this and the moment is now,' added Sharon. 'The attitude from you guys... I'm loving it.
'I've been here for three years and I'm so glad my last year on the show I get to mentor you,' finished Gary.
The show continues on Sunday night.
Opening night: The judges had plenty to say to say on Saturday evening
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