ITV wins battle of the Xs

Updated 11.17 Mon Aug 20 2007

Keywords: Osbourne, Walsh, Minogue, Cowell, X Factor, ITV1

The first show in the latest series of ITV1's X Factor saw an audience peak of 10.7 million viewers, it has been revealed.

Averaging 9.5 million, it trounced the 2.7 million for rival BBC show DanceX.

Niki only found the form, which he never got around to giving her, while going through his paperwork following his death last September

The ratings are up 2.5 million on last year's figures - even eclipsing the finals of series one and two.

The series is being hosted by Dermot O'Leary, who took over from Kate Thornton. Meanwhile, Dannii Minogue has joined the judging panel which also sees the return of Louis Walsh, who was fired earlier this year.

For the first time, the age limit has been lowered to allow 14-year-olds to compete.

A record 150,000 people applied for the fourth series, auditioning in Birmingham, Manchester and London before Walsh, Minogue, Simon Cowell and Sharon Osbourne.

The usual mix of the bizarre and the great amused the panel, including 70-year-old Emily Bell-Hodgson, who wore large black sunglasses and a red scarf wrapped around her face to sing You'll Never Walk Alone.

Asked why she was wearing the scarf, she said: "Because I urgently need dentistry."

Simon described her performance as like "something out of a horror movie" but she hit back saying: "Simon you're a warm charismatic handsome person with good dentistry. But that doesn't give you the right to tell me that I am here to get dentistry."

And freakily enthusiastic siblings Sarah and Sean Smith, who call themselves Same Difference, were told to "calm down" following their rendition of The Rembrants song I'll Be There For You.

Simon told them: "You are possibly two of the most annoying people I have met." But, Dannii disagreed, saying: "I don't think these guys can tone it down and I don't think you should.

"You guys do that so well and you're so adorable and loveable and you should keep doing that. But it's not X Factor winner."

Meanwhile, 34-year-old mother-of-two Niki Evans wowed the judges with Whitney Houston's I Will Always Love You.

There wasn't a dry eye in the house after explaining that she only entered the competition having discovered that her late father had sent off for an application form.

Niki only found the form, which he never got around to giving her, while going through his paperwork following his death last September.

Simon told her: "I think you've got a great voice, just great, I absolutely loved your audition. Your dad would have been very proud of you just then. He made the right decision."

Louis added: "I'm absolutely astounded, you're the best singer I've heard today".