THEY were hailed on the 2009 X Factor as being “incredibly annoying” by Simon Cowell, and nearly two decades later are back in the limelight.
The Irish twin duo – John and Edward Grimes – came third in the hit show, and now John is heading back on TV screens appearing on .
John and Edward from X Factor in 2009 stood out for their cheeky personality and quiffed hairCredit: Dave Hogan
Jedward’s John Grimes has just gone Instagram official with new girlfriend Sarah Carragher, who he stars with on Celebrity Ex on the BeachCredit: officialjohngrimes/Instagram
John appears to pack on the romance with his secret ex-girlfriend in the show, which begins this weekCredit: Paramount+
The newest series of the started last week, and sees the hair-quiffed John come face-to-face with their former flame , in a remote tropical location.
The appearance masks his , with the boys having represented their native Ireland in the twice – first in 2011 with Lipstick and then in 2012 with Waterline.
But while certainly stands out when you think of former X Factor contestants, they weren’t the only iconic acts to have grabbed attention.
Here’s where some of the most memorable joke acts have ended up now…
Wagner
Brazilian-born Wagner certainly grabbed attention on the 2010 show, where he came sixthCredit: ITV
Wagner Fiuza-Carrilho and his partner, Lydia Longville, and son LeonCredit: Newsteam
It’s hard not to remember silver-haired PE teacher the Brazilian pocket rocket who left fans in stitches with his dramatic performances.
The comedic star actually made the quarter-finals of the 2010 show and is still making music to this day, albeit on a smaller scale.
He now creates custom-made videos for your friends and family for over £49.
This is despite him causing controversy in 2012 when he had a baby with his then 20-year-old girlfriend Lydia – who’s 36 years his junior.
The former sports teacher has never had the need to return to his old career as he makes a steady living from public appearances and sponsorships.
In 2017, Wagner revealed on he was a proud dad to a three-year-old daughter and five-year-old son, so family life must certainly keep him occupied when he’s not working.
Honey G
Honey G was one of the most iconic stars on the 2016 show with her trademark cap and glassesCredit: Dan Jones – The Sun
Now she runs mindfulness coaching under her real name, Anna Georgette GilfordCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
Back in 2016, – real name Anna Georgette Gilford – for donning her signature cap, sunglasses and matching tracksuits.
Despite her unique look, the public certainly warmed to her polite rap persona, and she placed fifth in 2016 under .
While she may not have made the final, she did sign to SyCo, Simon Cowell’s record label, following the show.
However, she was dropped after just four months when her single charted at no.149 in the UK charts, which made it one of the lowest performing X Factor singles of all time.
In 2017, she was back on screens for Channel 5’s 100% Hotter (dubbed “the most judgemental show on TV” by critics), where she was stripped of her iconic hat and sunglasses.
These days, Honey G is , with the star a CMA-accredited mindfulness practitioner.
Her course website, which is run under her real name Anna, says she specialises in stress, anxiety, and burnout with science-based practices that regulate the nervous system.
However, the star does still work in entertainment.
In December, she appeared in a panto production of Cinderella at Lancashire’s Fleetwood Marine Hall alongside CBB star David Potts.
She also often shares clips of herself rapping and performing on social media.
Chico
When Chico Slimani starred on the 2005 show, he gained notoriety for his catchy song, It’s Chico TimeCredit: Rex Features
Chico has since appeared in pantos and Dancing on Ice – and now has a BlockFit programmeCredit: PA
Simon Cowell walked out of ’s audition when Sharon Osbourne and voted him through in 2005.
But he remains one of the most memorable X Factor acts of all time – with his catchy hit It’s Chico Time having bagged a number 1 spot.
In 2010, the Moroccan-Welsh signer re-released the same tune under the name It’s Time, ahead of the World Cup in South Africa, with all proceeds going to .
Chico – now a dad-of-two – has since appeared on Dancing on Ice and several pantos.
This year, the 54-year-old entertainer-turned-wellness guru revealed how he after falling victim to a Dubai investment con.
However, it put Chico on the path to creating his successful BlockFit programme that was picked up by Bannatyne’s Health Clubs and, beyond that, his wellness retreats in Morocco and Portugal.
Stevi Ritchie
Stevi Ritchie stood out when he starred on the 2014 show, where he was picked as a wildcardCredit: Handout
Stevie starred on Celebrity Big Brother with fellow X Factor contestant and then-partner Chloe-Jasmine WhichelloCredit: PA:Press Association
Stevi, who underwent a fitness overhaul, often performs now at Park Resorts Holiday ParksCredit: physiquelevelup / instagram
X Factor favourite made the live finals stage of in 2014, when judge picked him as a wildcard.
Yet he became just as well known for his antics off-screen, getting before the pair split three times.
The pair even appeared on Celebrity together in 2015, reaching the final and coming fifth, but later announced they had ended their engagement.
Stevie often performs with Park Resorts Holiday Parks at their Cambersands Beach location and has made appearances on , , This Morning and .
Johnny Robinson
Squeaky-voiced Johnny Robinson was a memorable act on the 2011 showCredit: TalkBack Thames
Since the show, Johnny has performed as a drag artist under the name Sarah LeeCredit: Splash News
Squeaky-voiced contestant from 2011 is one face you probably won’t recognise.
Despite being beaten to the trophy by girl group , Johnny was undeterred and released his own single, Eaten Alive.
As well as the new music, he also unveiled a new drag look and was said to perform in clubs under the name Sarah Lee.
Same Difference
Pop siblings Sean and Sarah Smith starred as Same Difference in 2007Credit: Ken McKay
Sean has shown off his ripped physique in recent years and has released solo music since X FactorCredit: instagram/seansmithsolo
Brother and sister singing duo Same Difference were branded as “potentially two of the most annoying people I’ve ever met” by Simon Cowell in 2007.
Yet the pop siblings, Sean and Sarah Smith, impressed the public and finished in third place, behind runner-up Rhydian Roberts and winner Leon Jackson.
They even managed to sign a big deal with ‘s record label Syco and performed all over the world, but were dropped in December 2014.
Since his X Factor days, Sean has kept in the spotlight but headed for the stage, securing roles in pantomimes alongside solo music goals.
He also landed a touring role with ‘That’s Entertainment and performed alongside stars such as & The Overtones.
In 2016, he returned to music with a debut solo single Turn Me On.
His other releases include Magic, which reached number 29 on the UK iTunes dance singles chart and a cover of Verona, which charted in 12 countries.
In 2023, Sean looked unrecognisable as he tied the knot with his wife Lyuda Lakovenko.
Meanwhile, sister Sarah, now a mother-of-two, took a step back from the limelight and instead opened up a performing arts school in called SD Studios.
Sean has previously spoken about feeling bizarre singing love songs with Sarah, especially as he initially wanted to audition as a solo artist.
He said: “I wanted to be a solo artist. But obviously, you go through rounds and they saw we work perfectly together.
“They put us together, and Same Difference was born.
“I thought I was the new going in, but was the new H from steps after… Singing weird love songs to each other.”
Rylan Clark
Ryan Clark shot to fame on the 2012 show, where he ended up coming fifthCredit: Rex Features
Rylan is now a successful TV presenter, including hosting the likes of This MorningCredit: Alicia Clarke – Fabulous
Thanks to his amateur dramatics on the 2012 show, Rylan is up there as one of the most successful X Factor contestants career-wise.
While he has put his singing days behind him, he has gone on to present headline TV shows, including Big Brother’s Bit on the Side, This Morning and .
Rylan also reached the final of and had a cameo part as an air steward in Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie.
His personal life has also put the in the spotlight, with him splitting from husband Dan Neal after six years of in June 2021.
He’s now dating , with the pair heading to Maldives for a stunning getaway earlier this year.
Winners of The X Factor
WHO won each season of the long-running ITV talent competition?
- Series one (2004):
- Series two (2005):
- Series three (2006):
- Series four (2007):
- Series five (2008):
- Series six (2009):
- Series seven (2010):
- Series eight (2011):
- Series nine (2012):
- Series 10 (2013):
- Series 11 (2014):
- Series 12 (2015):
- Series 13 (2016):
- Series 14 (2017):
- Series 15 (2018):
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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