Simon Cowell is holding auditions to find the next One Direction
Auditions will take place in July!
Last updated 5th Jun 2024
Despite admitting just months ago he thinks it would be 'great' to bring back The X Factor one day, it sounds like music mogul Simon Cowell has bigger plans on the horizon, as he's now holding auditions to find the next big boyband!
Simon, who helped form global superstars One Direction 14 years ago, is embarking on a UK-wide search for the next boyband sensation. Returning to the basics of how talent used to be found, Simon is holding auditions in Newcastle, Liverpool, Dublin and London.
When are the auditions?
Auditions are currently scheduled across four locations, including:
Newcastle: 4th and 5th July 2024
Liverpool: 7th and 8th July 2024
Dublin: 28th and 29th July 2024
London: 1st, 2nd and 3rd August 2024
Exact audition locations are yet to be confirmed.
What is the criteria?
Simon is seeking talented males aged 16-18 who possess the passion, charisma, and star quality to form the next boyband sensation.
If selected, you MUST be able to make yourself available for auditions in July 2024 and subsequent filming from October 2024 through to January 2025.
How can I sign up?
You can sign up for auditions at simonneedsyou.com
The application website states: 'This isn’t your usual talent show because Simon is ripping up the rulebook and doing it differently. The whole process will be shot for a potential documentary by Box to Box.
'So, if you are around 16 - 18 years old and think you have a great singing voice, you are happy being filmed for a potential television programme and would like the opportunity to be a part of a boyband, then please fill in this short application form to be considered'.
Closing date: Wednesday 31st July 2024
Will it be on TV?
Although no broadcast details have been announced just yet, it has been revealed Simon's search will be documented for a potential documentary series.
What is Simon looking for?
Simon revealed he's on a mission to find the UK's next boyband on Tuesday 4th June, appearing in London to erect a huge billboard which read: 'Simon needs you! Future megastars wanted for new boyband. No time wasters'.
Just days after the Britain's Got Talent final, Simon appeared wearing dungarees as he scaled a ladder with a brush and bucket of poster paste.
Simon said: “Every generation deserves a megastar boyband and I don’t think there has been one to have the success of One Direction in over 14 years. The industry tends to focus on solo artists - so it usually takes someone from outside to put a group together. Nothing beats the fun of being in a group, touring the world and performing for thousands – and it’s also a brilliant launchpad for a solo career. When you have a great group, it’s like lightning in a bottle but there’s no magic formula and a fair bit of luck involved!
“There’s always a high degree of risk and I genuinely have no idea what’s going to happen! We might uncover an incredible group; we might not get there. What if no one shows up to auditions? That could be awkward. There is no guaranteed path to success – anything can happen, but that's what's exciting for me and that’s why I’m doing this.”
Check out which artists found fame on TV talent shows:
Little Mix
Little Mix made history in 2011 when they became the first ever band to win The X Factor.
Perrie, Jesy, Jade and Leigh-Anne released the track 'Cannonball' as their winners' single before going on to have hits such as 'Wings', 'No More Sad Songs' and 'Power'.
Although Jesy Nelson quit the band at the end of 2020, Jade, Perrie and Leigh-Anne carried on as a trio. The group then decided to start a hiatus after their 'Confetti' tour finished in May 2022.
Whilst Leigh-Anne has released solo music already, Perrie and Jade are working on their own.
Beyoncé
She's one of the world's biggest superstars but Beyoncé first found fame on TV show Star Search back in 1993.
Beyoncé enjoyed massive success alongside Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams in girl band Destiny's Child but made a name for herself with her massive solo singles.
One Direction
They are one of the biggest bands in the world but we wouldn't have One Direction if it wasn't thanks to The X Factor.
Harry, Louis, Niall, Liam and Zayn all auditioned for the show as solo artists but were later put together in a group. Despite finishing third in 2010, the band went on to achieve massive success.
They went on to have five albums, four world tours and sold millions of records with hits such as 'Best Song Ever' and 'What Makes You Beautiful'.
After Zayn Malik announced his departure, the band started their hiatus in January 2016 and have all gone on to release solo material.
Britney Spears
Britney appeared on Star Search at the age of just 11!
She went on to release her first two albums in 1999 and 2000 which turned out to be international successes.
After a hiatus away from music due to personal issues, Britney returned with a bang with hits such as 'Womanizer', 'Piece Of Me' and 'If You Seek Amy'.
Britney went on to land a Las Vegas residency for her 'Piece Of Me' show at Planet Hollywood, which later got adapted into an arena concert tour.
Girls Aloud
Girls Aloud were first created when they appeared on Popstars: The Rivals in 2002.
With Cheryl Tweedy, Nicola Roberts, Sarah Harding, Kimberley Walsh and Nadine Coyle all winning a place in the band, the group went on to achieve their debut number one with the track 'Sound Of The Underground'.
Girls Aloud went on to achieve massive success in the UK and scored a record 20 consecutive top 10 singles in the UK Charts.
In 2013 the band announced their split after their final UK tour, and have since gone on to release solo material and work on different solo projects.
In 2021, Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding sadly passed away after losing her battle with cancer.
In 2023, Cheryl, Nicola, Nadine and Kimberley announced they would be reuniting for a 2024 arena tour, in tribute to Sarah. The girls begin their tour in May.
Adam Lambert
Adam Lambert shot to fame when he finished in second place on American Idol back in 2009.
The singer went on to release his debut album 'For You Entertainment' and has since sold over 5 million records to date.
In the past few years Adam has been touring as the lead vocalist with rock band Queen.
Becky Hill
Believe it or not, chart-topper Becky Hill actually appeared on The Voice UK back in 2012, making it to the semi-finals with her mentor Jessie J.
However, she didn't let not winning the show stop her! Becky has since gone on to achieve massive success, featuring on tracks with the likes of Rudimental, MK, Wilkinson, Oliver Heldens and Sigala.
In 2021, Becky released her album 'Only Honest on the Weekend', and she's since dropped hits such as 'Disconnect' and 'Never Be Alone'. Becky's new album 'Believe Me Now' is due out in May 2024.
Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera appeared on Star Search as a youngster back in 1990.
It wasn't until 1999 when the singer really made waves in the music industry with hits including 'Genie In The Bottle' and 'What A Girl Wants'.
Throughout the noughties Christina had some massive hits such as 'Dirrty', 'Beautiful' and 'Hurt' and later went on to star in a number of movies such as Burlesque.
The singer now has five Grammy Awards, has sold over 50 million albums worldwide and appeared on The Voice as a mentor.
Olly Murs
As well as an appearance on Deal or no Deal, pop star Olly Murs actually has The X Factor to thank for kick-starting his music career!
Although Olly finished in second place behind Geordie lad Joe McElderry back in 2019, the singer went on to release six successful albums and had hundreds of sold-out shows.
Olly also returned to The X Factor to host the show in 2015, and went on to be a judge on The Voice UK.
Fifth Harmony
American girl band Fifth Harmony started their success when they finished third on The X Factor USA back in 2012.
The band signed to Syco Records and enjoyed a number of hits both in the UK and USA including 'Work From Home' and 'Worth It'.
In 2017, Camilla Cabello announced she had left the band to focus on her solo career, and in March 2018 the group revealed they were going on a hiatus.
Normani also decided to go solo, releasing hit single 'Dancing With A Stranger' with Sam Smith.
Justin Timberlake
Mr Timberlake appeared on TV show Star Search in 1992 singing a country song in his audition.
He's come a long way since then! In the late 1990s Justin became one of the lead vocalists in boyband NSYNC.
He then went solo and achieved massive success with hits such as 'Cry Me A River', 'Rock Your Body' and 'Sexy Back'. In 2016 Justin voiced a character for hit film Trolls and returned for the sequel.
Justin made a return to music in 2024, releasing new music and also announcing tour, which includes shows in the UK.
Jordin Sparks
Jordin Sparks became American Idol's youngest ever winner when she won over competition at the age of just 17 in 2006.
The singer has since enjoyed massive success with her hits including 'Tattoo', 'Battlefield' and her 'No Air' debut with Chris Brown.
Leona Lewis
Leona Lewis won a £1 million recording contract with Simon Cowell when she won the third series of The X Factor in 2006.
Leona went on to have five successful albums and has completed three tours to date.
In 2016, Leona made her Broadway debut as Grizabella in Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Cats.
Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson shot to fame in 2002 when she became the first winner of American Idol.
Kelly has now released seven albums to date including the likes of 'Breakaway', 'Stronger' and her 2015 album 'Piece By Piece'.
She's now got her very own TV show called The Kelly Clarkson Show.
Fleur East
Fleur East actually appeared on The X Factor as part of a band way back in 2005, but it was her solo appearance in 2014 which really got people talking.
After going on to win the show, Fleur's debut single 'Sax' become a massive hit, with the singer later going on to release her debut album 'Love, Sax and Flashbacks' in 2015.
Fleur went on to appear on I'm A Celebrity in 2018, before becoming a radio presenter in 2019. Then, in 2020, Fleur released brand new music with single 'Lucky', before releasing her second album 'Fearless' in March 2020.
Carly Rae Jepsen
Carly Rae Jepsen enjoyed massive success with her hit single 'Call Me Maybe' in 2012 but before that she came third on Canadian Idol.
After getting her break with 'Call Me Maybe', Carly went on to have hits such as 'I Really Like You' and 'Run Away With Me'.
Jennifer Hudson
Despite her amazing success, Jennifer unbelievably only finished 7th on American Idol back in 2004.
She's since went on to appear in hit movie Dreamgirls, released three studio albums and became a mentor on TV show The Voice UK.
Nicole Scherzinger
She enjoyed massive success in The Pussycat Dolls but before that Nicole Scherzinger appeared on Popstars in 2001.
It was her time in girl band The Pussycat Dolls which really started her success. The band became one of the world's biggest selling girl bands with hits such as 'Don't Cha' and 'Jai Ho'.
Nicole later left the band and has enjoyed a solo career, which saw the singer also be a judge on The X Factor.
In recent years, Nicole has starred in musical Sunset Boulevard at the Savoy Theatre, in which she has picked up an Oliver Award nomination for.
JLS
JLS boys, Marvin Humes, JB Gill, Aston Merrygold and Oritsé Williams finished in second place behind Alexandra Burke on The X Factor back in 2008.
After gaining a loyal fan base from the show, JLS went on to have a number of hit singles including 'Beat Again', 'One Shot', and 'Everybody In Love', before they announced their split in 2013 following seven years together.
However, fans were left hyped in early 2020 when JLS announced they'd reunited, going on tour and releasing new music.
Susan Boyle
Susan Boyle first shot to fame when she appeared on Britain's Got Talent in 2009.
After shocking audiences and the judging panel with her incredible rendition of 'I Dreamed A Dream', Susan went on to finish in second place behind Diversity.
This was just the start for the Scottish singer as she went on to achieve massive success, selling millions of records worldwide.
James Arthur
James Arthur is another success story from The X Factor! The Middlesbrough born singer was crowned the winner in 2012 and his debut single 'Impossible' went on to sell over 2.5 million copies across the world.
James went on to release six studio albums, including 'Bitter Sweet Love' in 2024.
Ella Henderson
Ella Henderson, now known for huge hits like 'Ghost' and 'Glow', also started out on The X Factor. The singer competed in the ninth series of the popular talent show, in 2012, and was a strong favourite finishing in sixth place.
Ella has since shot to true pop stardom, with her debut album selling over 500,000 copies in the UK and over 1,000,000 copies worldwide! Impressive.
In 2024, Ella released 'Alibi' with Rudimental and also gave a performance in the Love Island villa.
As TV talent show fans will know, a lot of major artists were discovered on The X Factor, including the likes of Little Mix, Leona Lewis, James Arthur, Olly Murs and JLS to name a few.
After the final series aired in 2018 due to low viewing figures, ITV/STV bosses confessed "there are no current plans for the next series of The X Factor at this stage", but Simon did get tongues wagging earlier this month.
Speaking to OK! Magazine, dad-of-one Simon said: "I'm not sure when but it'd be great to have it back.
“I think it would be taken back to basics. When we first started, it was pretty uncomplicated, but over the years, too many elements were added; it lost its identity somewhere. Yes, you might hear some people say they were unhappy or thought they might sell more records, but I am proud of how many people got a start after being on the show."
But it sounds like we are going to be served a new show first!
Now read:
The X Factor: A complete history of the show
Artists who found fame on TV talent shows
One Direction: 101 facts you never knew about the boys