Thousands of eager fans queued in the rain on Saturday to be part of the live audience watching a recording of the X Factor at the Hammersmith Apollo.
Some fans waved “We Love Cheryl” banners as Cheryl Cole, Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and Dannii Minogue arrived at the venue.
The remaining 55 contestants, out of an original 200,000, were being whittled down to just 24 and had to audition in front of the four judges for the first time.
Cowell told the audience: “About 30 will be leaving. For them this is the most important day of their lives.”
The wannabes were put up in £125-a-night double rooms at the Hammersmith Novotel for the six-day boot camp, from there they were taken to the Hammersmith Apollo concert venue to battle it out in a knock-out competition.
The final 24 will win a glamorous trip to the home of their judge/manager - Cheryl Cole, Simon Cowell, Dannii Minogue or Louis Walsh.
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