Launched in 2007 on ITV by Simon Cowell , Britain's Got Talent has proved a big hit with the British public. However, season 3 saw the shows popularity extend far beyond the shores of the British Isles. This was mainly due to the Internet and Susan Boyle. Following her first appearance on the show in 2009 her performances have been watched by millions of people around the world. It was however her audition performance of “I Dream a Dream” from Les Miserables, that captured the imagination of millions.
The X Factor
In August 2009 the new series of The X Factor kicked off with the hope that it will be bigger and better than all the previous series since the show started in 2004. The 2009 show certainly lived up to expectations with the final watched by over 17 million people. Joe McElderry was the latest artist to be crowned Winner of The X Factor from the Simon Cowell’s school of entertainment. Joe McElderry seems to be one of the nicest contestants ever to appear on the show, so we wish him every success.
PopStars The Rivals
In 2002 PopStars The Rivals was aired on ITV. The purpose of the show was to create a girl band and boy band from the most talented contestants to audition. Girls Aloud was the girl group created by the show; they went on to have amazing chart success. They are now one of the most successful girl groups ever produced in the UK. The X Factor judge Cheryl Cole is the most famous member of the band. The boyband was One True Voice; unfortunately their music career was short-lived.
Fame Academy
In 2002 and 2003 the BBC produced Fame Academy. This show had much more of a reality TV theme to that of Pop Idol. In the first series the contestants lived together during the time they were on the show and was cut off from the outside world. Their daily lives were televised each day along with the main weekly TV show where the contestants performed live and the public voted to save their favourite contestant.
Pop Idol
In 2001/2 the ITV first series of Pop Idol saw Will Young and Gareth Gates go head to head for the Pop Idol crown in a very close and exciting race. Will emerge has the victor, but both Will and Gareth went on to have commercial success. The Idol series has become an international franchise; it has spun off many successful shows such as American Idol, Canadian Idol, Australian Idol and Nouvelle Star amongst others.





