# X Factor (Danish TV series)

X Factor is the Danish version of British TV show The X Factor, created by Simon Cowell. The show premiered on 4 January 2008. For the first eleven seasons, the show was broadcast on DR1 before moving to TV 2 from the twelfth season onwards. There have been sixteen winners to date, most notable are Martin Hoberg Hedegaard (2008), Thomas Ring Petersen (2010), Anthony Jasmin (2014), Place on Earth (2018) & Mads Moldt (2022).
The original judging panel consisted of Thomas Blachman, Lina Rafn and Remee. The current panel consists of Blachman and Martin Jensen. Former judges include Soulshock, Pernille Rosendahl, Cutfather, Ida Corr, Anne Linnet, Mette Lindberg, Sanne Salomonsen and Oh Land. The original host was Lise Rønne. The current host is Maria Fantino, who has hosted the show since season 17. Former presenters include Signe Muusmann, Signe Molde, Eva Harlou and Sofie Linde.
On 14 August 2017, DR announced that the show would end after the eleventh season. On 21 December 2017, TV 2 announced that they had acquired the rights to the show. In 2024, it was announced that X Factor had been renewed for an eighteenth season.

## Judging history

On 15 October 2007, jazz musician Thomas Blachman, Infernal singer Lina Rafn and songwriter Remee were announced as judges for season 1. On 18 September 2008, Rafn confirmed that she would be returning as a judge for season 2. The following day, it was confirmed that Blachman and Remee would be returning as judges for season 2.
On 13 August 2009, Rafn announced that she would not be returning as a judge for season 3 due to her pregnancy. On 1 October 2009, Blachman confirmed that he would also not be returning as a judge for season 3. On 5 October 2009, it was confirmed that Remee would be returning as a judge for season 3. On 8 October 2009, record producer Soulshock was confirmed as Blachman's replacement. On 15 October 2009, it was announced that The Storm singer Pernille Rosendahl would replace Rafn as the third and final judge for season 3 alongside Remee and Soulshock.
On 19 September 2010, Soulshock confirmed that he had been dropped as a judge for season 4. On 21 September 2010, Blachman confirmed that he would be returning as a judge for season 4, replacing Soulshock. The following day, it was confirmed that Rosendahl would be returning as a judge for season 4. On 24 September 2010, it was confirmed that record producer Cutfather would replace Remee as a judge for season 4. On 13 September 2011, it was announced that Blachman, Rosendahl and Cutfather would be returning as judges for season 5.
On 20 December 2011, Blachman announced that he would be leaving the show at the conclusion of season 5. On 8 February 2012, Rosendahl announced that she would also be leaving the show after season 5 due to starring in the musical Hey Jude. On 10 February 2012, Cutfather announced that season 5 would be his last season as a judge in order to return to his career due to "the show mentally taking time and thought space." On 20 August 2012, despite announcing that he would be leaving the show at the conclusion of season 5, it was confirmed that Blachman would be returning as a judge for season 6, while singers Ida Corr and Anne Linnet would replace Rosendahl and Cutfather.
On 18 September 2013, it was confirmed that Rafn and Remee would be returning to replace Corr and Linnet as judges for season 7 alongside Blachman. On 18 August 2014, it was confirmed that Blachman, Rafn and Remee would be returning as judges for season 8.
On 15 July 2015, Rafn confirmed that she would not be returning as a judge for season 9 due to an Infernal concert tour. On 12 August 2015, it was confirmed that The Asteroids Galaxy Tour singer Mette Lindberg would replace Rafn as a judge for season 9 alongside returning judges Blachman and Remee. On 12 August 2016, it was confirmed that Blachman, Remee and Lindberg would be returning as judges for season 10.
On 2 August 2017, Lindberg announced that she would not be returning as a judge for season 11. On 10 August 2017, it was confirmed that singer Sanne Salomonsen would replace Lindberg as a judge for season 11 alongside returning judges Blachman and Remee.
On 11 April 2018, it was confirmed that Blachman would be returning as a judge for season 12. The following day, Remee confirmed that he would not be returning as a judge for season 12. On 26 April 2018, it was confirmed that Salomonsen would not be returning as a judge for season 12 due to joining DR1's new television music competition LIVE! Danmarks nye live-artist as a judge. On 8 August 2018, it was announced that rapper Ankerstjerne and singer Oh Land would replace Remee and Salomonsen as judges for season 12 alongside Blachman. On 15 August 2019, it was confirmed that Blachman, Ankerstjerne and Oh Land would be returning as judges for season 13.
On 2 July 2020, Ankerstjerne confirmed that he would not be returning as a judge for season 14 in order to focus on "new dreams and projects," but did not rule out a return in the future. On 11 September 2020, it was announced that DJ Martin Jensen would replace Ankerstjerne as a judge for season 14 alongside returning judges Blachman and Oh Land.
On 23 July 2021, Oh Land announced that she would not be returning as a judge for season 15, stating that she "could not do everything at once."

## Hosts and Judges

| Hosts | Lise Rønne: 2008–2009, 2011–2012 Signe Muusmann: 2010 Signe Molde: 2013 Eva Harlou: 2014–2015 Sofie Linde 2016–2023 Maria Fantino 2024–present |
| Guest hosts | Lise Rønne: 2021 (liveshows) Melvin Kakooza: 2020 (bootcamp) |
| Xtra hosts | Emil Thorup: 2013 Thomas Skov: 2015 Joakim Ingversen: 2016–2018 Jacob Riising: 2018 Rasmus Brohave: 2019 |
| Judges | Thomas Blachman: 2008–2009, 2011–present Lina Rafn: 2008–2009, 2014–2015 Remee Jackson: 2008–2010, 2014–2018 Soulshock: 2010 Pernille Rosendahl: 2010–2012 Cutfather: 2011–2012 Ida Corr: 2013 Anne Linnet: 2013 Mette Lindberg: 2016–2017 Sanne Salomonsen: 2018 Ankerstjerne: 2019–2020 Oh Land: 2019–2021, 2024–present Martin Jensen: 2021–2022 Kwamie Liv: 2022–2023 Simon Kvamm: 2023–present |
| Guest judges | Kasper Winding: 2008 Michael Guldhammer: 2008 Cutfather: 2008 Henrik Balling: 2009 Adam Powers: 2009 Martin Dodd: 2009 Thomas Troelsen: 2010 Toniah Pedersen: 2010 Nikolaj Steen: 2010 Djuna Barnes: 2011 Le Gammeltoft: 2011 Kenneth Bager: 2011 Dicte: 2012 Mattias Kolstrup: 2012 Kato: 2012 Vinne Who: 2013 Carla Camilla Hjort: 2013 Marcus Linnet: 2013 Linnart Ginman og Carsten Dahl: 2014 Patrick Spiegelberg og Jonas Worup: 2014 Chief 1: 2014 |

## Series overview

To date, seventeen seasons have been broadcast, as summarised below. from season 15 the judges mentored one act from each category to the live shows meaning one from the 15-22s, one from the Over 23s og one from the Groups
| Season | Premiere | Finale | Host | 1st judge | 2nd judge | 3rd judge | Winner | Runner-up | Winning judge |
| DR1 era (2008–2018) ||||||||||
| 1 | 4 January 2008 | 28 March 2008 | Lise Rønne | Thomas Blachman | Lina Rafn | Remee Jackson | Martin Hoberg Hedegaard (15-24s) | Laura Arensbak Kjærgaard (15-24s) | Remee |
| 2 | 2 January 2009 | 27 March 2009 | Lise Rønne | Thomas Blachman | Lina Rafn | Remee Jackson | Linda Andrews (Over 25s) | Alien Beat Club (Groups) | Lina Rafn |
| 3 | 1 January 2010 | 27 March 2010 | Signe Muusmann | Soulshock | Pernille Rosendahl | Remee Jackson | Thomas Ring Petersen (Over 25s) | Tine Midtgaard Madsen (15-24s) | Pernille Rosendahl |
| 4 | 1 January 2011 | 25 March 2011 | Lise Rønne | Thomas Blachman | Pernille Rosendahl | Cutfather | Sarah Skaalum Jørgensen (15-24s) | Annelouise Sørensen (Over 25s) | Cutfather |
| 5 | 1 January 2012 | 23 March 2012 | Lise Rønne | Thomas Blachman | Pernille Rosendahl | Cutfather | Ida Østergaard Madsen (15-24s) | Line Dissing Karred Larsen (15-24s) | Pernille Rosendahl |
| 6 | 28 December 2012 | 22 March 2013 | Signe Molde | Thomas Blachman | Ida Corr | Anne Linnet | Chresten Flack Damborg (Over 24s) | Karoline (15-23s) | Ida Corr |
| 7 | 3 January 2014 | 28 March 2014 | Eva Harlou | Thomas Blachman | Lina Rafn | Remee Jackson | Anthony Jasmin (Groups) | Lucy Mardou (Over 23s) | Thomas Blachman |
| 8 | 2 January 2015 | 27 March 2015 | Eva Harlou | Thomas Blachman | Lina Rafn | Remee Jackson | Emilie Esther (15-22s) | Jógvan (Over 23s) | Remee |
| 9 | 8 January 2016 | 1 April 2016 | Sofie Linde | Thomas Blachman | Mette Lindberg | Remee Jackson | Embrace (Groups) | Reem Hamze (15-22s) | Remee |
| 10 | 30 December 2016 | 31 March 2017 | Sofie Linde | Thomas Blachman | Mette Lindberg | Remee Jackson | Morten Nørgaard (Over 23s) | Chili Pedersen (15-22s) | Remee |
| 11 | 1 January 2018 | 6 April 2018 | Sofie Linde | Thomas Blachman | Sanne Salomonsen | Remee Jackson | Place on Earth (Groups) | Jamie Talbot (Over 23s) | Thomas Blachman |
| TV2 revival era (2019–present) ||||||||||
| 12 | 4 January 2019 | 12 April 2019 | Sofie Linde | Thomas Blachman | Oh Land | Ankerstjerne | Kristian Kjærlund (Over 23s) | Benjamin Rosenbohm (15-22s) | Thomas Blachman |
| 13 | 1 January 2020 | 23 May 2020 | Sofie Linde | Thomas Blachman | Oh Land | Ankerstjerne | Alma Agger (15-22s) | Mathilde Caffey (15-22s) | Thomas Blachman |
| 14 | 1 January 2021 | 9 April 2021 | Sofie Linde | Thomas Blachman | Oh Land | Martin Jensen | Solveig Lindelof (15-22s) | Nikoline Steen Kristensen (15-22s) | Oh Land |
| 15 | 1 January 2022 | 8 April 2022 | Sofie Linde | Thomas Blachman | Kwamie Liv | Martin Jensen | Mads Moldt (15-22s) | Kári Fossdalsá (Over 23s) | Thomas Blachman |
| 16 | 1 January 2023 | 31 March 2023 | Sofie Linde | Thomas Blachman | Kwamie Liv | Simon Kvamm | ROSÉL (Groups) | Sigalaz (Groups) | Simon Kvamm |
| 17 | 1 January 2024 | 5 April 2024 | Maria Fantino | Thomas Blachman | Oh Land | Simon Kvamm | Helene Frank (Over 23s) | Selmani (Groups) | Simon Kvamm |
| 18 | 27 December 2024 | 2025 | Maria Fantino | Thomas Blachman | Oh Land | Simon Kvamm | | | |

## Judges' categories and their contestants

Key:
    – Winning judge/category. Winners are in bold, eliminated contestants in small font.
| Season | Thomas Blachman | Lina Rafn | Remee |
| 1 | Over 25s Heidi Svelmøe Herløw Lisa Maria Birkekvist Frederik Konradsen | Groups VocaLoca RaiDen Søren & Anne | 15-24s Martin Hoberg Hedegaard Laura Arensbak Kjærgaard Basim Moujahid |
| 2 | 15-24s Mohamed Ali Sidsel Lieknins Vestertjele Lucas Francis Claver | Over 25s Linda Andrews Seest Christensen Claus Lillelund | Groups Alien Beat Club Asian Sensation Tårnhøj |
| Season | Soulshock | Pernille Rosendahl | Remee |
| 3 | Groups The Fireflies 8210 In-Joy | Over 25s Thomas Ring Petersen Daniel Vengsgaard Peter Søborg | 15-24s Tine Midtgaard Madsen Jesper Boesgaard Anna Nygaard |
| Season | Thomas Blachman | Pernille Rosendahl | Cutfather |
| 4 | Over 25s Annelouise Sørensen Patricia Bull Ercan Turan | Groups Rikke & Trine JR Deevibez | 15-24s Sarah Skaalum Jørgensen Babou Rasmus Nielsen |
| 5 | Groups Nicoline Simone & Jean Michel Tandberg & Østenby Phuong & Rasmus | 15-24s Ida Østergaard Madsen Line Dissing Karred Larsen Morten Benjamin | Over 25s Sveinur Gaard Olsen Mulila Phiri Katrine Klith Andersen |
| Season | Thomas Blachman | Ida Corr | Anne Linnet |
| 6 | 15-23s Karoline Hassan Amanda Pedersen Zaina Jouret | Over 24s Chresten Falck Damborg Stephanie Ravn Carlsen Jonas Præst Nielsen | Groups Wasteland Anna & Lusanda Lotus |
| Season | Thomas Blachman | Lina Rafn | Remee |
| 7 | Groups Anthony Jasmin ManBand lickety-split | 14-22s Henriette Haubjerg Fie Winther Mathias Chrøis | Over 23s Lucy Mardou Pernille Nordtorp Steffen Gilmartin |
| 8 | Groups Ivarsson, Bang & Neumann Citybois Finn & Rie | Over 23s Jógvan Joensen Sophia Nohr Nanni Klitte | 15-22s Emilie Esther Baraa Qadoura Tannaz Hakami |
| Season | Thomas Blachman | Mette Lindberg | Remee |
| 9 | Over 23s Andrew Murray Sarah Glerup Jacob Bering | 15-22s Reem Hamze Alex Benson Mads Christian | Groups Embrace Clifforth & Hein The Competition |
| 10 | 15-22s Chili Pedersen Mia Sørensen Martin Prytz | Groups VKation Ladies with Attitude Fyhnen Sisters | Over 23s Morten Nørgaard Samanta Gomez Mike Beck |
| Season | Thomas Blachman | Sanne Salomonsen | Remee |
| 11 | Groups Place on Earth Sol & Christian Anne Mette & Tomas | 15-22s Sigmund Trondheim Vita Jensen Oliver Bendixen | Over 23s Jamie Talbot Rasmus Therkildsen Anja Nynne |
| Season | Thomas Blachman | Oh Land | Ankerstjerne |
| 12 | Over 23s Kristian Kjærlund Gina Michaells Andrea Brøndsted | Groups Echo Maria & Bea Dr. Rolf & Kanylerne | 15-22s Benjamin Rosenbohm Live Vogel Patrick Smith |
| 13 | 15-22s Alma Agger Mathilde Caffey Emil Wismann | Over 23s Ilona Artene Kaspar "Kali" Andersen Nicklas Mietke | Groups Smokey Eyes Magnus & Aksel Sway |
| Season | Thomas Blachman | Oh Land | Martin Jensen |
| 14 | Groups Simon & Marcus The Kubrix Neva & Ida | 15-22s Solveig Lindelof Nikoline Steen Kristensen Lucca Nordlund | Over 23s Dan Laursen Vilson Ferati Hiba Chehade |
| Season | Thomas Blachman | Kwamie Liv | Martin Jensen |
| 15 | Mads Moldt (15-22s) Maria Ranum (Over 23s) Wela & Garcia (Groups) | Tina Mellemgaard (15-22s) Oliver Antonio (Over 23s) Lorenzo & Charlo (Groups) | Kári Fossdalsá (Over 23s) Mille Bergholtz (15-22s) Oscar (Groups) |
| Season | Thomas Blachman | Kwamie Liv | Simon Kvamm |
| 16 | Sigalaz (Groups) Clara Nedergaard (15-22s) Rosita Bramsen (Over 23s) | Nambahlou Christensen (15-22s) Henrik Hedelund (Over 23s) DiVERSE (Groups) | ROSÉL (Groups) Theodor Vestergaard (15-22s) Kristoffer Lundholm (Over 23s) |
| Season | Thomas Blachman | Oh Land | Simon Kvamm |
| 17 | Cristian Oprea (15-22s) Kaos (Groups) Mariya Apollonia (Over 23s) | Elva Wahlberg (15-22s) Cyklus (Groups) Nicolaj Lindby (Over 23s) | Helene Frank (Over 23s) Selmani (Groups) Victor Hauch (15-22s) |
| 18 | Svend (15-22s) Blomster Bror (Groups) Julie (Over 23s) | Leslie (15-22s) Darling (Groups) Laura (Over 23s) | Thomas Ove (Over 23s) 9000 Håb (Groups) Hva Så Asta (15-22s) |

## Season synopses
### 2008–2018: DR
#### Season 1 (2008)

The first season premiered on 4 January 2008 and ended on 28 March 2008. The host was Lise Rønne, while the judges were jazz musician Thomas Blachman, Infernal singer Lina Rafn and songwriter Remee.
The auditions took place from 3 to 4 November 2007 at DR Byen in Copenhagen and 7 to 8 November 2007 at DR Østjylland in Århus. The audition episodes were broadcast over three episodes on 4, 11 and 18 January 2008. After the auditions, the judges were given their categories. Remee was given the 15-24s, Rafn was given the Groups, and Blachman was given the Over 25s. For bootcamp, the judges disbanded and took their categories to three different locations. Remee took the 15-24s to Puk-studierne in Randers, Rafn took the Groups to Hotel Marienlyst in Helsingør and Blachman took the Over 25s to Dragsholm Castle in Hørve. The judges were also accompanied by an assistant, who worked in the music industry. Remee was assisted by record producer Cutfather, Rafn was assisted by Border Breakers director Michael Guldhammer, and Blachman was assisted by composer Kasper Winding. Bootcamp was broadcast over two episodes on 25 January and 1 February 2008. The live shows began on 8 February 2008 at DR Byen. During the sixth week of the live shows, Anne Linnet helped mentor the acts. Shayne Ward, who won the second series of the original British version, performed on the sixth results show. James Blunt performed on the seventh results show.
During the semi-final on 21 March 2008, Remee became the winning mentor after his two acts Martin and Laura advanced to the final. Martin won the first season on 28 March 2008, defeating Laura, and won a recording contract with Sony BMG. He released "The 1" as his winner's single. "The 1" was written by singer Niels Brinck and produced by Per Sunding, which would be released by Martin or Laura if they won.

#### Season 2 (2009)

Remee, Lina Rafn and Thomas Blachman returned as judges. Remee was given the Groups, Rafn was given the Over 25s and Blachman was in charge of the Under 25s. The winner was Linda Andrews, mentored by Rafn.

#### Season 3 (2010)

Remee returned as a judge, while Thomas Blachman and Lina Rafn were replaced by Soulshock and Pernille Rosendahl. Soulshock was given the Groups, Rosendahl was given the Over 25s and Remee was in charge of the Under 25s. The winner was Thomas Ring Petersen, mentored by Rosendahl. British singer and X Factor UK judge Cheryl Cole performed her number one single "Fight for This Love".

#### Season 4 (2011)

Pernille Rosendahl continued as a judge, while original judge Thomas Blachman and new judge Cutfather replaced Soulshock and Remee on the judging panel. Cutfather was given the Under 25s, Rosendahl was given the Groups and Blachman was given the Over 25s. The winner was Sarah, mentored by Cutfather.

#### Season 5 (2012)

Thomas Blachman, Pernille Rosendahl and Cutfather returned for their respective fourth, third and second seasons. Cutfather was given the Over 25s, Rosendahl was given the Under 25s and Blachman was in charge of the Groups. The winner was Ida Østergaard Madsen, mentored by Rosendahl.
For the first (and currently only) time, a judge made an unforced decision to eliminate their own act.

#### Season 6 (2012–13)

Thomas Blachman returned to the judging panel, while Pernille Rosendahl and Cutfather were replaced by new judges Ida Corr and Anne Linnet. Linnet was given the Groups, Corr was given the Over 24s and Blachman was in charge of the Under 24s. The winner was Chresten, mentored by Corr.

#### Season 7 (2014)

The seventh season returned to the original judging panel consisting of Thomas Blachman, Lina Rafn and Remee following the departures of Ida Corr and Anne Linnet. Remee had the Over 23s, Rafn had the 15-22s and Blachman was in charge of the Groups. The winners were Anthony Jasmin, mentored by Blachman.

#### Season 8 (2015)

Thomas Blachman, Remee and Lina Rafn returned to the judging panel for their respective seventh, fifth and fourth seasons. Remee was given the 15-22s, Rafn was given the Over 23s and Blachman was given the Groups. Superbootcamp was replaced by 5 Chair Challenge. The winner was Emilie Esther, mentored by Remee.

#### Season 9 (2016)

Thomas Blachman and Remee will return as judges for season 9 along with a new judge Mette Lindberg who will replace Lina Rafn. Rafn said in the final of season 8 that she did not know if she would continue as a judge. Eva Harlou announced on 26 June 2015 that she will not return to host. Sofie Linde Lauridsen will be the new host. Rafn announced on 15 July 2015 that she would not be returning as a judge. The winners were Embrace mentored by Remee.

#### Season 10 (2016–17)

Thomas Blachman, Mette Lindberg and Remee Will all return for Season 10 and Sofie Linde will also return as host On 31 March 2016 it was announced that X Factor will return for season 10 in 2017. It will begin on 30 December 2016 the winner was Morten Nørgaard mentored by Remee.

#### Season 11 (2018)

On 31 March 2017, it was announced by DR that X Factor will return for season 11 in 2018. Sofie Linde Lauridsen will return to host the show for the 3rd time Thomas Blachman and Remee also returned and is joined by a new judge Sanne Salomonsen who will replace Mette Lindberg. The Winner was Place on Earth mentored by Thomas Blachman

### 2019–present: TV2
#### Season 12 (2019)

Sofie Linde Lauridsen will return to host the show for the 4th time Thomas Blachman returned and is joined by a new judges Oh Land and Ankerstjerne who will replace Remee and Sanne Salomonsen. The Winner was Kristian Kjærlund mentored by Thomas Blachman

#### Season 13 (2020)

Thomas Blachman, Oh Land and Ankerstjerne Will all return as judges for Season 13 and Sofie Linde Ingversen also return as host for the 5th time. The Winner was Alma Agger mentored by Thomas Blachman

#### Season 14 (2021)

Thomas Blachman and Oh Land returned as judges for Season 14 while Ankerstjerne left and was replaced by Martin Jensen and Sofie Linde Ingversen only returned as host for the auditions, 5 Chair Challenge and bootcamp Lise Rønne returned as host for the live shows also. The Winner was Solveig Lindelof mentored by Oh Land

#### Season 15 (2022)

Thomas Blachman and Martin Jensen will return as judges for Season 15 but Oh Land has announced that she will leave as a judge and was replaced by Kwamie Liv and Sofie Linde Ingversen will return as the main host. The Winner was Mads Moldt metored by Thomas Blachman.

#### Season 16 (2023)

Thomas Blachman and Kwamie Liv will return as judges for Season 16 but Martin Jensen has announced that he will leave as a judge and was replaced by Simon Kvamm and Sofie Linde Ingversen will return as the main host and also her last season as host. The Winner was ROSÉL mentored by Simon Kvamm.

#### Season 17 (2024)

Thomas Blachman and Simon Kvamm returned as judges for Season 17, but Kwamie Liv has announced that she will leave as a judge and Oh Land replaced her as judge and Sofie Linde Ingversen has left the show as the main host and Maria Fantino will replace her as the main host. The Winner was Helene Frank metored by Simon Kvamm.

#### Season 18 (2025)

Thomas Blachmanm, Oh Land and Simon Kvamm all returned as judges for Season 18. Additionally, Maria Fantino returned for her second season as host.

## Controversy

The Danish X Factor has been criticised by music expert and consultant for The Danish Musicians' Association (Dansk Musiker Forbund) Mikael Højris, who claims that the contracts for participation in the show are unfair on participants and almost amount to serfdom to DR1 (the channel airing the show) stating that clauses in the contracts forbid the participants - whether they pass the first round or not - from performing or participating in any other musical event for three months. He also criticises that participants are obliged to travel at their own expense.
Bente Boserup, leader of BørneTelefonen, criticized the Danish X Factor for exposing children under 18 to high pressure and stress, after contestants Baraa Qadoura and Tannaz Hakami broke down in tears during the fourth live show of season 8. This was supported by psychologist John Halse, as well as contestant Finn Irs, who protested by not showing up to the all-stars song during the final live show. Irs stated that the producers were more interested in their contestants showing their emotions, rather than making a musical show. Jan Lagermand Lundme, the contributing editor on DR1, stated that all contestants were checked by a psychologist to see if they were fit to handle the pressure.
Despite this, the series has remained quite popular within the Danish public.