Crowds aiming for the stars queued in Cardiff last week as the 11th series of the X Factor rolled into town.
With the line snaking down the Newport Road, many were eager to get through to the next stage and face Simon Cowell and his judging cohorts.
Cowell is back this year after a few series away, and is clearly looking forward to being back on the judging panel. In an interview about the 2014 series, he reminded people that the last time he was on the show was when One Direction were discovered.
The band has since gone on to take Europe and the US by storm, their faces captured by banner and poster printing at gigs all over the world.
Those bidding for their own stardom at the city's Mercure Hotel will hope to have similar success; however, Cowell warned that competition will be tough, saying:
"This year we’re visiting more towns and cities than ever across the UK to find the next pop star ready to take on the world.”
However, the pop mogul did go on to say that anyone thinking of auditioning should, urging them to “just do it”.
Among the hopeful stars performing at the first round of auditions were a 19-year-old member of a pop funk band, a Beyoncé fan hoping his version of Drunk in Love will intoxicate the judges, and a duo who travelled up from Bristol.
