X Factor 2014: Meet the finalists

Lauren Platt

Age: 16

From: Essex

As the baby of the girls' group, Cheryl has expressed her worry about how Lauren will cope with the pressure of the show but the Essex student fought for her place in judges' houses and convinced her that she is ready to face the live shows.

So far, Lauren has impressed the judges. She originally received four yeses in her room auditions and a standing ovation following her arena performance. However, it was in her Bootcamp audition that she really captured the judges' attention when she received a seat immediately from Cheryl.

"I'm looking forward to the performances. Getting out there and singing in front of then million people! That sounds insane. I’ll have nerves but if I didn't, that would be really strange. I'll just go out there and give everything I’ve got," said Lauren.

Stephanie Nala

Age: 20

From: Hertfordshire

Formerly a band member of The Luminites, Stephanie decided to go solo earlier this year when the Britain's Got Talent band split.

Despite being nervous in her room audition, she got through and received four yes votes in her arena audition with Mel B calling her 'mesmerising'. She impressed all the judges during her Bootcamp auditions and was sent through to the live shows by Cheryl.

The singer the last auditionee to find out her fate at judges’ houses.

"I was in floods of tears before I got to see Cheryl. All the other girls had been through and I was just sitting on my own, getting more and more worked up. I was convinced it was a 'no'," said Stephanie.

Chloe Jasmine

Age: 24

Profession: West London

The model has divided opinion in previous auditions with her bluesy tone but it was at judges' houses where she won over Cheryl and guest mentor Tinie Tempah, who said it was one of the best auditions he’d heard on the show.

She has been compared to Marilyn Monroe on several occasions but would most like to duet with Pop Queen, Madonna.

Chloe controversially lost her seat during the Boot Camp six chair challenge but was later brought back by the Girls Aloud judge who admitted that she had made a mistake.

"I said to Cheryl I'm just a normal girl and it’s really rude of people to think I'm not worth voting for just because of the way I speak. If I was from Essex, what would people say?" said Chloe.

Ben Haenow

Age: 29

From: Croydon

The van driver has been a popular act throughout the competition following his first room audition and admitted that his nerves crept up on him for the arena auditions. However, Ben pulled through and impressed the judges with his rock vocals of Wild Horses.

After receiving a place during the six chair challenge at Boot Camp, Ben revealed that watching the other acts perform was like watching a gladiators’ battle.

On getting through to the live show, Ben admitted: "I can’t believe it. I wasn't happy with my performance and everyone else was so good. To be the last one to be sent through as well. It felt like I was waiting for a year."

Fleur East

Age: 26

From: East London

Fleur East's surprising performance at Simon's judges' houses convinced the music mogul that she had something special to offer the show. The singer was previously part of a girl group called Addictive Ladies which made it through to the live shows of the show’s second series.

In her first room audition, Fleur received mixed comments from the judges as they revealed that they expected more from her and were disappointed with her performance.

However, in her arena audition, Simon said that she came on stage and performed like a different artist while Mel said that she offered a "slam dunk" of an audition.

"It's been so emotional. I couldn't even imagine beforehand, how it would feel if I went through. I've had so many knock backs, I've been conditioned to be disappointed. When Simon said those words, 'I believe in you', it was amazing."

Jay James

Age: 31

From: Sandersfoot, Wales

Ex-Navy, Jay was forced to find a new passion after injuring his knee while playing rugby for the forces and taught himself to play the guitar.

Jay has been a popular contestant since his first audition when he made Mel cry with his emotional performance and made all the judges sit back in awe at his raw talent. Following his arena audition, he received a standing ovation and was told that he would be a great winner for the show, by Simon.

"I've dedicated my last few years to this and I've worked hard. I've not achieved what I want to achieve yet. If I don't do that now, I kind of need to move on and be a provider for my family. And get a day job."

New Boy Band

Names: Barclay Beales (19), Chris Leonard (19), Casey Johnson (19), Jake Sims (19), James Graham (17), Tom Mann (20), Charlie Jones(14), Reece Bibby (16)

From: Barclay- Devon, Chris- Meade (Ireland), Casey- Mill Hill, Jake- Bristol, James- Essex, Tom- Southampton, Charlie- Kent, Reece- Accrington

This 8 piece boy band was put together during the Boot Camp stage by the judges and have continued to impress the judges with their performance after only having a few hours to rehearse.

"We're looking forward to experimenting. Every time we've rehearsed and performed it's been exciting, because we've only just been put together. We cannot wait to learn new songs and to have more time to practice. There are so many things we can do between us in the group, from playing the piano and guitar to rapping."

Only The Young

Names: Charlie (17), Parisa (20), Mikey (19) and Betsy Blue (18)

From: Charlie and Parisa- Kent, Mikey- Carlisle, Betsy Blue- Brighton

Living together in Parisa's family home, Only The Young are like a family, singing at the dinner table and compare themselves to the Von Traps.

They originally impressed the judge sin their room auditions with their harmonies and chemistry and went onto impress in the arenas with Simon admitting that they could win the show.

"I think we're most looking forward to showing people what we’re about- bringing a twist to the show hopefully. We want to show both the show audience and the audience at home what Only The Young is all about," said the hopefuls.

Blonde Electric

Names: Jazzy (24) and Ruby (22)

From: London

The sister act bounced into their auditions and impressed with their incredible positivity and have continued to bemuse the audience and the judges with their energetic performances.

They originally secured three yeses in their room auditions with Cheryl saying 'no' to the pair. The duo also lost a seat at Boot Camp, only to be brought back by Louis after he’d admitted that he had made a mistake and they brought the 'fun factor' to the show.

"We want to freak out Simon! We want him to fall out of his chair! Every time we perform we have this thing where we want to scare him. We want him to get a panic attack live on television. If we can accomplish that will be a job well done."

Andrea Faustini

Age: 20

From: Rome, Italy

The Italian student first walked onto our screens, expressing his love for pugs and England but wowed with his deep soul voice, making him a firm favourite with the judges and the audience since his first audition.

The Spice Girls fan secured four yeses following his performance of Who’s Loving You at the room auditions.

"That is unbelievable. You've got such control over your voice. When you came in, I was not expecting that at all...don’t judge a book by its cover." said Cheryl.

At Boot Camp, Mel B was reduced to tears after his rendition of I Didn't Know My Own Strength at Boot Camp.

"I just want to sing my heart out, show everyone who I really am, and give everything I have. I think this is the greatest chance I've ever had in my life. I still can’t believe it right now," said the adorable singer.

Paul Akister

Age: 25

From: Lancashire

The singer initially appeared on our screens back in 2013 when he was sent home from Louis' judges' houses. Since then, Paul has lost three stone and found an inner confidence that shone throughout his auditions this year.

During his arena audtion to Let's Get It On, Mel B and Cheryl danced for Simon who has expressed his annoyance at Louis for sending him home last year.

"Shame I wasn’t here last year, but I’m here now," said the music mogul.

"All the way through, I've shown I'm an old-school soul singer. But to survive in the music industry, you have to show you can put that voice onto a modern track so I want to show I can do modern things. And show that I will last a long time," said the singer.

Jack Quickenden

Age: 26

From: Scunthorpe

Returning for the second time on the show following his departure at Nicole Scherzinger's judges' houses in 2012, Jack has risen to be a favourite among female fans.

Jack received four yeses in his room auditions and a hug from Mel B who said: "You've got such commitment and passion. Your voice tells a story."

He was the first boy to secure a seat at the Boot Camp six seat challenge but didn’t think he would ever get through to the live shows.

"I didn't think I was through. The group was so, so strong. They were all lovely guys, amazing voices. Paul and Andrea have such strong voices but you don’t need everyone in the category to sound the same. I'm just going to work. Work, work, work, and do what it takes."