Cheryl learns to say no.

WELL, did you see it last night? Now The X Factor is up and running again, it's the subject on everyone's lips as we discuss the terrible and deluded auditionees.

It also shows how we just can't get enough of this series, even after six years.

As Simon Cowell says: "The show gets bigger and bigger every year. I believe in changing and constantly raising the bar, and with the change in the audition process it feels bigger right from the outset.

"Thousands of people have watched parts of auditions and have been part of it. If I didn't believe the show would be bigger and find someone better every year, I wouldn't do it.

"I would love to find a great male singer this year, the girls have kind of dominated it and it's time for the boys to fight back. I would love to find someone different - I don't want someone who sounds like someone else."

Unfortunately for those who auditioned at the ICC in Birmingham, the judges are unanimous in thinking that the best talent has come from London.

Cheryl Cole says she's tougher this year and won't cry quite so much.

She admits: "I struggled at first last year in saying no to people, but I think I may have been giving them false hope. This year I'm more able to say no to people that don't have what we're looking for and I don't feel as bad."

Of the new-look auditions with a live audience, she says: "I'd just found my feet with the show and then they go and change the format! I felt the rug was pulled from under my feet with the changes but thankfully I've really enjoyed the new process, it works so well.

"We as judges are also judged now on what we say and think, and if we don't like an act but the audience do then they certainly let us know about it!" The X Factor, ITV1, Saturday, 7pm