X Factor 2017 live shows explained: wildcard acts, new format, contestants and everything else you need to know

Live shows: this year the final stage of the competition looks a little different
Aime Grant Cumberbatch27 October 2017

The most dramatic stage of The X Factor is upon us – the live shows mean massive performances, shock exits and, of course, plenty of bickering between the judges.

But this year the final stage of the competition looks a little different after receiving a dramatic makeover from producers.

Here’s everything you need to know about the new live show format and the wildcard acts.

Who are the wildcards?

The wilcard acts (eliminated contestants who will get another chance on the show) have yet to be announced, but *spoiler alert* The Sun has reported that the returning contestants are Alisah Bonaobra in the Girls category, Talia Dean in the Overs, Leon Mallet for the Boys and Jack and Joel in the Groups.

How do the live shows work?

This year has seen the biggest shakeup to the X Factor live shows in the history of the singing competition.

Acts will still sing in front of a live studio audience, with the judges giving feedback after each performance, but that’s about all that’s remaining the same.

X Factor 2017 Finalists Makeover - In pictures

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The live show stage will be shorter at only six episodes and the hopefuls’ performances will be split over Saturday and Sunday evening instead of all acts singing on the first night.

Half of the judges’ groups will perform on Saturday (eight acts in total), while the other two groups sing on the Sunday night.

At least one of the acts will be eliminated each night, with a further three being axed the following week.

Show bosses are also scrapping the judges’ vote sing-off in favour of a battle between the two top-scoring acts for ‘money-can’t-buy prizes’.

The public vote will be the ultimate decider of who goes home, with the contestant who has received the fewest votes being immediately eliminated.

Which acts have made it through?

The full list of acts is as follows:

The Girls

Grace Davies

Holly Tandy

Rai-Elle

The Boys

Lloyd Macey

Spencer Sutherland

Sam Black

The groups

The Cutkelvins

Sean and Connor Price

Rak-Su

The Overs

Traceyleanne Jefford

Kevin Davy White

Matt Linnen

The X Factor House 2017 - In pictures

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What songs will the acts be singing?

Songs for the live shows are usually announced in the days before the episodes are due to air.

This weekend will see Scottish group The Cutkelvins put their spin on Pink’s What About Us, while brothers Sean and Connor Price will sing Strong by London Grammar and Rak-Su will perform a track of their own called Mamacita.

Also singing an original number will be Grace Davies with her song Too Young. Elsewhere in the Girls group, Holly Tandy will take on Tori Kelly’s Hollow and Rai-Elle will perform a mash-up of a huge three songs - Doo-Wop (That Thing), Lost Ones by Lauryn Hill and Meghan Trainor's track No.

Meanwhile in the Overs category Kevin Davy White will tackle Rihanna and Mikky Ekko's Stay, Matt Linnen with sing Scars To Your Beautiful by Alessia Cara and Traceyleanne Jefford will put her twist on Written In The Water by Gin Wigmore.

And in the Boys group Llloyd Macey will be singing City of Stars from the movie La La Land, Sam Black will perform faith by Stevie Wonder and Ariana Grande, and Spencer Sutherland will take on Jessie J's Who You are.

When is it on?

The 2017 X Factor live shows kick off on Saturday, October 27 at 8.20pm on ITV with the next episode airing the following evening (Sunday, October 28) at 7pm on the same channel.

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