X-Factor is heading to Liverpool, will next Top Vocalist be you?

DID you know that Dermot O'Leary is returning as host and room auditions also make a comeback, so Apply Now!  Register online for 1 of the last audition days, just turn up at 1 of our audition days or send in your own video audition via:- Application.X-Factor.TV. 

The UK's favourite singing show, The X Factor, is back and on the lookout for the next big breakout music stars as they travel the length and breadth of the country on the 2016 audition tour.

The tour will be visiting Liverpool, on Saturday, 14 May 2016, with auditions at Liverpool Convention Centre, Kings Dock Street, L3 4FP, at 9am.

The news comes as Dermot O'Leary has announced his return as host and it has also been confirmed that the room auditions will return for this year's series.  This is part of the nationwide audition tour, which is visiting over 40 towns and cities across the country. Groups or solo singers aged 16+ can apply by registering online or by just turning up.

So if you think you could be the next Louisa Johnson, One Direction, Little Mix, Ella Henderson or Olly Murs, or you know someone you think could be, now is the time to come along and showcase your vocal talent.  Simon Cowell says:- "We're excited to start auditions again this year for X Factor. If you think you have got what it takes then why don't you apply. And remember, one audition could change your life."

For anyone not able to make the dates in Liverpool, there are other easy ways to apply:-

► Registering online for 1 of the other Open Audition Cities or by just turning up at 1 of the Open Audition Cities on the day.

► Heading to the Mobile Audition Tour which will be visiting smaller towns and cities across the country. There is no need to register for the Mobile Audition dates; full details see online.

► For anyone who isn't able to make it to any of the auditions you can also send in your own video audition via our website.

Acts are advised to turn up early to the Open Auditions and Mobile Auditions. On the Mobile Audition Tour auditions are on a 1st come, 1st served basis, so be sure to turn up early to grab a slot. On the larger scale Open Audition Tour everyone who turns up will be guaranteed an audition.

All any budding hopefuls need to do is turn up on the date and time specified. If they impress The X-Factor team with their vocals they will then be in with a chance of auditioning in front of The X-Factor judges when the judges' auditions take place in summer.

The hit show has uncovered some outstanding talent across the years. To date, One Direction have sold 70 million records worldwide, Olly Murs has achieved success with four multi-platinum albums and Little Mix have sold 3.3 million albums globally. Last year's winner Louisa Johnson is currently working on her debut album.

The X Factor will return to ITV later this year alongside sister show, The Xtra Factor on ITV 2. Fans of the show can follow all the action online.

The last 2 auditions are:-

MANCHESTER
EventCity
Saturday, 7 May 2016

LIVERPOOL
Liverpool Convention Centre
Saturday, 14 May 2016

Will you be attending?  Let us know if you are at the event via Tweeting us @SouthportReport and use #LiverpoolXFactor in your Tweet to us!

Isle of Man Steam Packet Company sponsorship of the Isle of Man Four Wheel Drive Club

THE Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has continued its sponsorship of the Isle of Man Four Wheel Drive Club for another year. Throughout 2016 the club will hold a series of trials around the Island for off-road vehicles, with drivers competing for victory in various classes. The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Trial series has already had 2 exciting rounds, the first at South Barrule Quarry won by Ross Moore and the second at Dhoon Quarry won by Bob Boyde. Formed in 1989, the club holds regular competitions in the Isle of Man, as well as travelling off Island to compete. Its events also attract drivers from the UK to test themselves against the Manx terrain in organised contests.

Last year around 50 people from the Red Rose Land Rover Club spent a week in the Island hosted by the local club, and there are also regular visits by other clubs from England and Wales. A Challenge event planned for May will also have off Island participants. Richard Crane, from the Isle of Man Four Wheel Drive Club, said:- "The trials sponsored by the Steam Packet Company are the backbone of the club's event calendar, so we are very pleased for the continued sponsorship. There are 3 classes, for short, medium and long wheelbase vehicles, and a trial typically consists of negotiating your vehicle between 8 pairs of cane gates on various types of terrain with the aim of not hitting the canes. It is a test of the driver's skill and, often depending on the type of terrain, the strength of the vehicle. Our events do attract off Island drivers, and the club has also been involved in assisting with filming for BBC's Country File on the Island and taking visiting journalists to some of the most remote areas of the Isle of Man. We also pride ourselves on being responsible when we off road and go to great lengths to respect the environment. We were instrumental in the creation of the Green Lane Users' Group (GLUG), and our members are involved in inspecting and carrying out maintenance and repairs to the Island's extensive network of legal green lanes."

Steam Packet Company Chief Executive Mark Woodward said:- "The Isle of Man Four Wheel Drive Club has a busy calendar of events which attract local drivers and visitors to the Island. The provision of popular and properly organised off-road events which bring people to the Isle of Man from across the UK is a benefit to the local community, and something we are happy to support."