[Shaun]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/19835534

Half of this year's 12 X Factor finalists were approached to audition for the show.

A spokesperson for the show told Newsbeat all acts had to go through the same process but that some had been asked by researchers to take part.

Producers insist that the judges did not know whether acts had been invited to audition when they were deciding whether to send them through.

A new rule was introduced this year to help producers find new talent.

It was included in the terms and conditions for this year's online application.

It stated: "Please note that outside of this application process, acts may also be invited to audition for the programme by researchers acting on behalf of the producer.

"Such acts will be required to go through the audition process and normal programme rules will apply."

Former Pussycat Doll, Nicole Scherzinger, who is mentoring the boys, said the move to invite contestants was now necessary due to the number of talent shows on TV, including The Voice.

"I think it's great that they've done that," she said. "It opens up the pool for wider talent."

The show has confirmed that producers who held earlier auditions did know whether the acts had been scouted and insisted that they weren't guaranteed to get through.

Finalists are now free to reveal if and how they had been scouted.

Jahmene Douglas and the duo MK1 are the only acts to admit to Newsbeat that they were approached.

"For me it was being found on YouTube but we all went through the same process," said 21-year-old Jahmene.

Simeon and Charlie in MK1 were made aware of the auditions by their record company.

This year, contestants are allowed to have had management deals as well.

Kye Sones and Melanie Masson in Gary Barlow's over-28s category are among those who have had professional music careers.

Sheffield singer Lucy Spraggan, 22, had her music taken off sale online when her first audition aired.

Tulisa Contostavlos, who is in charge of the girls, said she didn't think inviting contestants made any difference to the show.

"It's just simply notifying people about the auditions."

And mum-of-one Jade Ellis, 25, added: "Personally, speaking as someone who did just go to an open audition I don't think it's any less fair.

"I'm quite happy to go into the competition with people who were scouted.

"At the end of the day the rules have changed so we've got to get on with that."

[MTVN]

Looks like this is becoming the norm for reality shows now

All very well to say "they still had to audition" but having been specifically picked out by producers they will have an advantage and be more likely to get through I'd have thought

[Marc]

It's fair and unfair lol

People who want to try out basically have half the chance of getting through but it also gives those who have been struggling the chance to make something of themselves!

[Marc]

Who are they?

Jahmene, MK1, Melanie, Lucy, Kye

Who else?

[Black Dagger]

This isn't anything new is it?

Producers ask loads of people to audition.

Oh and Melanie's flop single is really good.

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

[Black Dagger]

Yeah, I fully expect Rylan to have been hand-picked by producers.

[Me. I Am Salman]

Desperate and annoying since it gave us Jahmene

[thesheriff443]

this is ok for the x factor but when its for big brother its a fcuking piss take

[Marcus.]

Originally Posted by thesheriff443

this is ok for the x factor but when its for big brother its a fcuking piss take

Yeah X factor is running out of singers so they do that

[Z]

The show feels more scripted this year. From the few auditions I saw, they made it way more obvious than usual who was going to get through to the live shows... I don't think there were any surprises this time around.

[Jordan.]

Can they search harder next year, it's one of the worst bunch of finalists ever.

[Marc]

Originally Posted by Zee

The show feels more scripted this year. From the few auditions I saw, they made it way more obvious than usual who was going to get through to the live shows... I don't think there were any surprises this time around.

Tbh any YouTube video over 2 minutes long = made live finals

[Black Dagger]

Originally Posted by Marc

Tbh any YouTube video over 2 minutes long = made live finals

Curtis Golden, Eddy String, Melanie McCabe and Joseph Whelan say hai.

[Marc]

And I say LOL gutted

[Brother Leon]

Surprised it's only 6 tbf.