Gifty Louise makes her return to The X Factor after narrowly missing out at last year’s boot camp.
The 20-year-old student from London, also known as Gifty Agyeman, has decided to return for another shot and tells the judges: “I just want to prove you guys wrong.”
The singer made it to the last round of boot camp in 2015, but lost her voice before the final performance.
But as she prepares to perform Mary J Blige’s No More Drama, Simon Cowell warns her: “You’ve been through this before Gifty. I want a performance now.”
The start of the episode sees Spice Girls singer Mel B, a former X Factor judge, stand in for Nicole Scherzinger during her temporary absence – but the former Pussycat Doll is not the only judge to be replaced.
Philip Hadlow, a 46-year-old from Margate, attempts to impress the judges with a rendition of Rick Astley’s Never Gonna Give You Up.
But after his audition, he reveals his real dream: “Ultimately I would love to end up on that judging panel.”
Simon invites him to join the panel for the next audition and take over from Louis Walsh, who is sent off to get a cup of tea.
“Wow, this is empowering,” Philip says as he takes his seat.
The next contestant into the room is taken aback by Louis’ transformation into a partially bald Englishman.
Christina Postma, a 53-year-old singer from the Netherlands, performs Shirley Bassey’s Big Spender – and wins the admiration of temporary judge Philip.
“Are you single?” he asks, telling her: “You’ve got a lovely radiant smile to go with your voice.”
Also hoping to impress is Sanish Sambasvian, who thinks his lucky prop will persuade the judges, as well as teenage group Girl Next Door, from Manchester, and boyband 5 AM – who perform Drake’s One Dance.
A 75-year-old retired mechanic from Swansea impresses the judges with his youthful looks, while a part-time singing teacher from France performs an original song about plastic surgery.
With auditions running late into the night, 28-year-old gym instructor and fast food manager Beck Martin gets the judges up and dancing with his original song, Friday Night.
Impressed, Dermot O’Leary comments: “I’ve never seen Simon dance at all!”
The X Factor airs at 8pm on September 10 on ITV.
