The X Factor backdrop
Reality

The Best Episodes of The X Factor Season 8

Every episode of The X Factor Season 8 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The X Factor Season 8!

Binge this in 1d 1h•Peaking at 7.4/10

The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent, contested by aspiring singers drawn from public auditions.

Airs on
ITV1
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons15

All123456789101112131415

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    The X Factor Season 8 Episode 19 - Live Show 4 Results
    7.4/10(13 votes)

    S8:E19

    Dermot O'Leary hosts the all-new Sunday night X Factor results show, as the nine acts find out the results of the public vote. The two with the lowest number of votes will sing for survival in the final showdown, then it is up to the judges to decide who stays to sing another day and who leaves the competition.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. The X Factor Season 8 Episode 24 - Live Show 7
    7.4/10(18 votes)

    S8:E24

    There are only six acts remaining in the competition, and today they must sing live again in a battle to win the biggest prize in pop.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. The X Factor Season 8 Episode 12 - Live Show 1
    7.3/10(16 votes)

    S8:E12

    After weeks of gruelling auditions, the remaining 16 contestants have reached the live rounds. Dermot O'Leary presents the first of the live shows, in which the finalists perform for the judges, the audience and the viewers at home. Gary Barlow is mentoring the boys, Kelly Rowland is looking after the girls, Louis Walsh is helping the over-28s and Tulisa Contostavlos takes charge of the groups.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. The X Factor Season 8 Episode 9 - Bootcamp 2
    7.1/10(16 votes)

    S8:E9

    Join host Dermot O'Leary for the second in our bootcamp weekend double bill. The 50 remaining acts must perform again in front of an audience of thousands. Each singer has been able to practise overnight, and today is their last chance to impress judges Simon Cowell, Dannii Minogue, Cheryl Cole and Louis Walsh. The panel must now start choosing the performers they believe can go all the way. Who will make it into the final 24?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. The X Factor Season 8 Episode 4 - Auditions 4
    6.8/10(15 votes)

    S8:E4

    Dermot O'Leary presents the fourth set of auditions from Britain's biggest singing competition. Judges Louis Walsh, Kelly Rowland, Tulisa Contostavlos and Gary Barlow continue their star search across the country, but will today's crop of hopeful performers be able to impress them? Dermot is on hand to celebrate or commiserate with the contestants.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. The X Factor Season 8 Episode 23 - Live Show 6 Results
    6.7/10(17 votes)

    S8:E23

    It is time for the seven remaining acts to find out the result of the public vote. The two acts with the lowest numbers of votes must sing for survival in the final showdown. Then judges Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole, Dannii Minogue and Louis Walsh will decide who stays in the competition and who is sent home

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of The X Factor

    READ
  7. The X Factor Season 8 Episode 1 - Auditions 1
    6.6/10(17 votes)

    S8:E1

    The first set of hopefuls audition in front of the judges hoping to gain a place in the next round of the competition. Dermot is on hand to console those who fail to make it through. Frankie Cocozza and Kitty Brucknell are amongst the successful acts who manage to make it through to boot camp. Raymond Harding and Wendy Davis fail to impress though and find their hopes dashed at the first hurdle. Goldie Cheung shocks Gary when she gives him a lap dance and ends up making it through to boot camp.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. The X Factor Season 8 Episode 8 - Bootcamp 1
    6.6/10(15 votes)

    S8:E8

    The successful auditionees head to London's Hammersmith Apollo for the biggest bootcamp ever. Judges Simon Cowell, Dannii Minogue, Louis Walsh and Cheryl Cole will be putting 200 acts through their paces. Who will be able to handle the pressure and stand out from the crowd, and who will be heading home? After this first challenge, only 50 acts can go through to the next bootcamp stage. Host Dermot O'Leary is on hand to offer condolences to the unlucky and celebrate with the chosen few.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. The X Factor Season 8 Episode 30 - Final
    6.6/10(17 votes)

    S8:E30

    Dermot O'Leary presents the final of the singing competition from Wembley Arena. The remaining contestants must perform in front of a crowd of 10,000 in a bid to win viewers' votes and claim the life-changing prize of a recording contract. There are also performances from top international guest stars. With judges Gary Barlow, Kelly Rowland, Tulisa Contostavlos and Louis Walsh.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. The X Factor Season 8 Episode 7 - Auditions 7
    6.4/10(15 votes)

    S8:E7

    Dermot O'Leary presents the seventh set of auditions. Judges Gary Barlow, Kelly Rowland, Tulisa Contostavlos and Louis Walsh are on the lookout for a potential star of the future, but will any of today's contestants live up to the panel's high expectations?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. The X Factor Season 8 Episode 10 - Judges Houses 1
    6.4/10(15 votes)

    S8:E10

    The remaining acts jet off around the world to the judges' homes, where they will battle it out for a place in the final 16. Each panellist is joined by a celebrity guest mentor to help them whittle down the list of acts. Who will make it through to the live shows?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. The X Factor Season 8 Episode 21 - Live Show 5 Results
    6.4/10(14 votes)

    S8:E21

    Dermot O'Leary hosts the live results show. The remaining performers will be on tenterhooks as the results of the public vote are revealed, as the two acts with the lowest number of votes must sing for their survival in the final showdown. Who will judges Simon Cowell, Dannii Minogue, Cheryl Cole and Louis Walsh choose to send home?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. The X Factor Season 8 Episode 27 - Live Show 8 Results
    6.4/10(14 votes)

    S8:E27

    Result show 8, with celebrity performers: Rebecca Ferguson ("Nothing's Real But Love") and Rihanna ("We Found Love")

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. The X Factor Season 8 Episode 3 - Auditions 3
    6.3/10(14 votes)

    S8:E3

    Dermot O'Leary hosts the third set of auditions in the search for a new pop sensation. Judges Louis Walsh, Gary Barlow, Kelly Rowland and Tulisa Contostavlos are on the hunt for outstanding talent, but will they find what they are looking for? This week, the tryouts move to a new city, where hopeful performers have lined up for their chance to sing for the panel. Dermot is on hand to celebrate or commiserate with the contestants.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. The X Factor Season 8 Episode 6 - Auditions 6
    6.3/10(14 votes)

    S8:E6

    Dermot O'Leary presents the sixth set of auditions. Judges Gary Barlow, Kelly Rowland, Tulisa Contostavlos and Louis Walsh are on the lookout for a potential star of the future, but will any of today's contestants live up to the panel's high expectations?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. The X Factor Season 8 Episode 11 - Judges Houses 2
    6.3/10(15 votes)

    S8:E11

    In four locations around the world, it is make or break time for the remaining hopefuls as they find out whether or not they have made it to the live shows. Judges Kelly Rowland, Tulisa Contostavlos, Louis Walsh and Gary Barlow have some big decisions to make as they work out who they are sending to the final 16.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. The X Factor Season 8 Episode 17 - Live show 3 Results
    6.3/10(13 votes)

    S8:E17

    Join Dermot O'Leary live for the results of the public vote. The two acts with the lowest number of votes must perform again in the final showdown. Then judges Louis Walsh, Dannii Minogue, Simon Cowell and Cheryl Cole will decide who stays to sing another day and who leaves the competition

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. The X Factor Season 8 Episode 13 - Live Show 1 Results
    6.1/10(13 votes)

    S8:E13

    Dermot O'Leary hosts the live results show in which the finalists find out who is going home. There will be tears and drama as no-one wants to leave the competition in the first week. Plus 2010 winner Matt Cardle returns with the first-ever performance of his new single.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. The X Factor Season 8 Episode 18 - Live Show 4
    6.1/10(13 votes)

    S8:E18

    All the performances and much more from The X Factor's

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. The X Factor Season 8 Episode 31 - Final Results
    6.1/10(21 votes)

    S8:E31

    Dermot O'Leary reveals the results of the public vote. The two acts left battling for the crown perform what will become the winner's single in front of 10,000 people at Wembley Arena, before they find out who has won this year's competition. Plus there are performances from top international guest stars. With judges Gary Barlow, Kelly Rowland, Tulisa Contostavlos and Louis Walsh.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. The X Factor Season 8 Episode 2 - Auditions 2
    5.9/10(14 votes)

    S8:E2

    Dermot O'Leary hosts the second round of auditions, which come from London and Liverpool. Louis Walsh and new judges Gary Barlow, Kelly Rowland and Tulisa Contostavlos are hoping to find talented future stars, but have this week's crop of hopefuls got what it takes to impress them? Strutting their stuff this week are a 45-year-old from Harrow who hopes that this is his chance to shine, a 20-year-old Romeo who professes his love for Kelly and a band whose line-up was finalised only weeks ago. Can they hit the right note with the panel?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. The X Factor Season 8 Episode 14 - Live Show 2
    5.9/10(13 votes)

    S8:E14

    Watch all 11 acts strut their stuff as they make their claim to The X Factor throne. Tonight the competition really hots up, and Whitney Houston is a special guest tomorrow night.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. The X Factor Season 8 Episode 15 - Live Show 2 Results
    5.9/10(13 votes)

    S8:E15

    Join host Dermot O'Leary live as the 11 remaining acts find out the results of the public vote. The two acts with the lowest number of votes must sing for survival in the final showdown. Then it is up to the judges to decide who stays to sing another day and who leaves the competition

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. The X Factor Season 8 Episode 16 - Live Show 3
    5.9/10(13 votes)

    S8:E16

    The 10 remaining acts battle it out to win the public's votes and stay in the competition.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. The X Factor Season 8 Episode 20 - Live Show 5
    5.9/10(13 votes)

    S8:E20

    The battle for the crown continues as the eight remaining acts step onto Britain's biggest stage for the fifth live show. Each of the performers will be hoping to impress the voting audience at home as well as judges Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole, Dannii Minogue and Louis Walsh. Host Dermot O'Leary will be on hand to deal with the war of words as the judges give their views on each performance and defend their singers. Next time, one act will be leaving the competition.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Season 8 Ratings Summary

"Live Show 4 Results" is the best rated episode of "The X Factor" season 8. It scored 7.4/10 based on 13 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 10/30/2011. This episode is rated 0.0 points higher than the second-best, "Live Show 7".