Former American Idol winner Jordin Sparks has given some tips to wannabe X Factor contestants.

Sparks said: "Make sure you get a lot of sleep, because it is the last sleep that you'll get. Bring a camera as there will be a lot memories and it will go so fast."

She added: "Song choice is definitely key as cliched as that sounds, because if you are singing the wrong song and you are feeling it and nobody else is, it might not work out for you."

Sparks also said: "You should be yourself, as people will be voting for you, not for someone you are pretending to be."

X Factor has already started on ITV1 with a new line-up featuring Girls Aloud star Cheryl Cole.

Former judge Sharon Osbourne was replaced by Cole following a fall-out with Danni Minogue during the last series.

This year's audition highlights include a pensioner, the sister of a successful boy band member and a duo in Wales named Ant n' Seb.

Those behind the show have said that there had been a record-breaking number of applications, with tens of thousands of hopefuls attending auditions all around the UK.

Judge Simon Cowell said he is looking for the new Amy Winehouse this year.

He said: "I want someone who is going to represent this country all over the world for the next ten, 20 years - that's what I'm looking for.

"I want somebody who is different and unique and I want to find somebody as good as Amy Winehouse - I'd love to do that."

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