James Rooney, 21 year old cousin of Wayne Rooney, has apparently got through the first stage Manchester auditions which were held in May. He will now be singing in the next round infront of judges Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne, according to The Sun online. A source said that when the producers discovered his famous relation, they were extremely keen to keep him in the show. Obviously he is expected to give the show a good ratings boost.

Over 20,000 people are expected to turn up at the West Stand of Old Trafford this Sunday 18th June, as the final auditions for X Factor 2006 are being held. This will be your last chance to apply and since last years winner - Shayne Ward - will be making a special appearance to perform some of his songs to the awaiting crowds, huge numbers are expected, so our only advice is to get there early.

Gates open at 9am, but some auditionees are already planning to camp out all night in a bid to make sure that they definitely get seen by the judges.

In a final showdown between actress Lucy Benjamin and rugby player Matt Stevens, the audience at home voted for their favourite and made Lucy the winner, transforming her from a nervous wreck at the beginning of the series to “an acomplished singer”, in the words of Simon Cowell.

Guest appearances from all the other Battle Of The Stars contestants who united together to sing “I’d like to teach the world to sing” and also from Shanye Ward singing his new single “Stand By Me” added to the evenings entertainment.

It was all down to the audience tonight as they placed their telephone votes to decide between the final two of the last three celebrity acts.

Lucy Benjamin was the first celeb to be told by Kate Thornton that she was going through. Only one place left which went to Matt Stevens rather than Chris Moyles. On hearing that he hadn’t made the final, a gutted Chris said “I’m quite surprised actually.”