[Arneldo]

The second series of The X Factor will kick off on August 20, Digital Spy can report.

As last year, the early episodes will follow Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh as they sift through the thousands of hopefuls.

The successful few will then attend intensive two day boot camps, divided by the categories '16-24', '25 and over' and 'groups'.

ITV2's spinoff show The Xtra Factor is also returning, beginning on Friday. August 19 with a retrospective of the first series.

A special episode following series one contestant Tabby Callaghan is also due to air on August 20.

Digital spy

[Lance]

Yep and there's a show on ITV2 called The Joy Of X on the 19th which catches up with teh contestants and what they've been up to since they left the shw last year.

[BigSister]

ooh intresting thanks for that Lance. Im looking forward to it returning

[Lance]

No probs BS...erm dunno if I have any other news.Well you all know Michelle auditioned and got at least as far as Boot Camp..

From what I've heard these are how the groups are shaping up:

16-24 : Louis
25+ : Sharon
Vocal Groups: Simon

And I've heard something about guest judges at the live shows aswell.

[BigSister]

ah intresting. Yay they get different groups than last year if that is true

[Arneldo]

9i heard about guest judges aswell - i heard shakin steven would apper as a judge aswell!

[Lance]

Oooh and don't forget "What Tabby Did Next"!Here's a list so far of all the eralted programmes:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
TABBY

Time: 21:15 to 22:15 (1 hour long).
When: Saturday 20th August on ITV2

or

Time: 20:00 to 21:00 (1 hour long).
When: Tuesday 23rd August on ITV2

(No Info Given)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE JOY OF X

Time: 20:30 to 21:30 (1 hour long).
When: Friday 19th August on ITV2

or

Time: 18:10 to 19:10 (1 hour long).
When: Saturday 20th August on ITV2

Ben Shephard presents an exclusive look back at all the best bits from last year's The X Factor, including new and candid interviews with judges Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne on the rivalry, tears and tantrums. Plus audition characters such as Robert the chicken plucker, the finalists on life after The X Factor, and fans and fanatics alike.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

THIS MORNING

Time: 10:30 to 12:30 (2 hours long).
When: Thursday 18th August on ITV1 Anglia

Denise Van Outen and Richard Bacon present the lifestyle magazine. Alison Hammond tries her luck with an audition for the new series of the X Factor, Paul Ross has tips on What to Watch and there are creative ideas on how to transform your home. Including 10.50 ITV News Headlines, Local News and Weather. 11.55 ITV News Headlines.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

[BigSister]

yayyyyy chicken man I saw him on the tour

[Lance]

lol he was funny,they have had their fair share of wierdothought this year,including a drag queen I believe.

[BigSister]

yeah 1 of my friends told me about the drag queen

[katieee]

noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

im on holiday when it starts

noooooooooooooooooooo lol

[Lance]

I'm gone aswell,Im gonna tape and watch though.

[BigSister]

aww that sucks Katie and Lance

[lizzie_bb5]

I can't wait for X Factor to start i loved it last year especially Tabby!! And i cant wait for 'what Tabby did next' wooohoooo! I saw chicken man on the tour aswell BigSister! Me and my best friend went to see it and we were three rows from the front with tabby tops on and a banner! It was brill!! x

[katieee]

i cant tape it

unless i beg ma uncle

or ma mates mam

wooosh

[Lance]

Originally posted by lizzie_bb5
I can't wait for X Factor to start i loved it last year especially Tabby!! And i cant wait for 'what Tabby did next' wooohoooo! I saw chicken man on the tour aswell BigSister! Me and my best friend went to see it and we were three rows from the front with tabby tops on and a banner! It was brill!! x

Tabby rawks...and he's Irish.My cousin went to primary choolw ith him.She's not in contact with him anymore though.

[Mike]

I love X Factor - How many weeks does the show run for? i know its quite along time

[Lance]

Its rumoured to end on December 24th...not for definate but someone came on my site today and sai she made it to boot camp.She said theres 12 finalists this year rather than 9.

[Mike]

Thats brilliant news, the longer it lasts the better.

At least its something to be excited about now BB is coming to an end.

[Lance]

Yeah,should be good.

[Nicola]

Can't wait! Although you'll all have to put up with my nonstop talking about Simon Cowell as I have a thing about him!

[lizzie_bb5]

WoW Lance- your cousin is soo lucky i wish i went to school with Tabby!! Glad you like Tabby too- he should have won!!! x

[Arneldo]

The best thing about the x factor is the auditions - the middle bit is a tad bit boring but then when they have the live shows its good again!

[lizzie_bb5]

The auditions are really funny!! But my favourite part of the series is definatly the live shows! x

[Lance]

Originally posted by lizzie_bb5
WoW Lance- your cousin is soo lucky i wish i went to school with Tabby!! Glad you like Tabby too- he should have won!!! x

Yeah he was good,he wasn't my favourite but he was good,I loved all of Team Osbourne