JUDGES from TV's toughest talent show are back in Greater Manchester as part of their search for the next pop act with the X Factor.
Hundreds of hopefuls crowded at the base of Trinity Bridge as they waited for their chance to impress the panel.
But it was the Mayor of Salford Val Burgoyne who made the biggest impression of the day.
Maybe nerves kicked it when the councillor stepped in front of the four judges, or maybe she isn't one of the millions of viewers who regularly tune into to the top rating show.
But when she gave the X Factor a special welcome to the city - handing over a coat-of-arms plaque to straight-talking judge Simon Cowell - she said she hoped that this year's winner would come from the area `just like Simon Ward from two years ago'.
Embarrassed officials quickly pointed out that it was Shayne Ward, pictured right, and not `Simon Ward' who scooped first place in 2005.
The mayor's speech was then filmed a second time so it could be screened without the faux pas.
Later Mayor Burgoyne said she had no aspirations to perform in front of the judges in the future.
"If they heard me sing they'd probably vote me off straight away," she said.
Simon Cowell may have joked that he had `not seen any talent yet' during this year's Manchester heat, but new judge Dannii Minogue said that the standard in the city had been high.
She said: "I'm so excited to be in Manchester - I hear all the best talent comes from here."
Sharon Osbourne, whose father was from the city, said she was `pleased to be home'.
And Louis Walsh, returning to the show just months after he was axed, said: "I'm just happy to have my job back."
The judges are continuing in their search for the X Factor in Manchester today.
What do you think of the X-Factor? Have your say.
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Junk
Why weren't these people at work. Perhaps they are part of the army of incapacitated people in Manchester as reported in an MEN article today.
I would like to say in the MEN on Tuesday the picture on page 15 under the coat-of-arms it said 'Manchester welcomes the X Factor'.. but I thought the Lowery Hotel was in Salford ??? if the Council regoniseis Manchester as the Major City then then Salford Councils should stop banging on about Salford yestersday was there time to shine but they FAILED like allways just like the mayor....
this would make a great story.... my neice got through the first audition of xfactor,,, she has fans all over the country and even some in spain,,,, on monday 25th june she went for her second audition, got there in plenty of time,,,,, was made to wait in a very small room full of other people where there was no air conditioning and nobody could breathe,,,,,, she was then one of the last to be seen . and after only 10 seconds told it was a no because she was too young.... we then spoke to someone who had been told there was nobody put through near the end because a quota had been filled,,,,,,, all that waiting was a waste of time,,,,,, just want to say natalie l.j. is brilliant...... she has the xfactor.. but was given no chance at all...... please, please, do something so she can have just one more chance to prove what she can do........ we have a c.d, that you could listen to and i know that simon, sharon,louie, and danny would have loved her...... thankyou.......please... JUST ONE MORE CHANCE.....
Angela - sounds as if you are pleading to me.
I know a lad who went last year. He is brilliant and earns a fantastic living on cruise ships. He didn't get to see the judges at all.
Don't plead. True talent will come to the top.