Short answers, pulled from the story.
Simon Cowell devised the format for The X Factor in 2004 while working as a Sony Music executive. The programme premiered on the 4th of September 2004 and was produced by Thames, later known as Talkback Thames until 2011.
The first round involved open auditions anyone could attend or applications submitted via post or online. Those passing this stage performed before senior production members without filming. The third stage featured performances before the judges themselves.
The first three series featured Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne, and Louis Walsh as judges with Kate Thornton hosting from 2004 to 2006. Dermot O'Leary received a two-year contract worth £1 million to replace Thornton in March 2007.
ITV announced on the 28th of July 2021 that there were no plans to air another series. Ratings reached their peak by 2010 with the seventh series averaging over 14 million viewers but declined sharply from 2012 onwards.
The show spawned 35 number-one singles including ten winners' singles six of which became Christmas number ones. Four charity singles reached number one by finalists of series five through eight and twenty-one other number-ones came from contestants who appeared on the show.