Most Successful X-Factor Contestants

With this show being on our televisions for almost eight years now, you would have expected them to create some talent, considering the show is all about 'spotting the talent'.

We've seen great acts, we've watched our favourites through to the finals; hoping they'll succeed, we've watched the winners sing their winning song; then go off with the contract of their lives. But did they do anything with this new fame?

The bad thing about X-Factor is we vote for our favourite based on popularity, looks and singing ability. We do not think about if they'll do well when it comes to selling. When it comes to getting their music on the marketplace, some cannot find their niche audience who will continuously purchase it, or cannot stand out from the crowd.

That being said, who are the most successful contestants ever to go on the X-Factor, and is it all about winning?

Some X-Factor 'stars' may not have completely dominated the UK markets, but they certainly had a pop. Here are some of our 'at least they still have a career' contestants:

Alexandra Burke

When Alexandra's songs hit the shelves, they don't exactly fly off them. While her first song off the X-Factor was a fast seller, and Bad Boys was another good seller, the rest have been mediocre at best. She has sold around four million albums/singles since she came out of X-Factor, but since her demise in the music industry, she's joined a judging panel to keep her famous (So You Think You Can Dance)

Shayne Ward

There was a lot of people hoping Shayne would go well in the music industry, and while some love his music, most aren't bothered. Ever since 'That's my Goal' had stopped selling well, Shayne has become less and less popular. Many don't want to purchase his songs because they're out of date with the music-market.

Unlike Alexandra, he hasn't found a panel-show or anything else to settle on and live the rest of his career on. He was kicked off Simon Cowell's label after not making enough sales, and Simon's interest in Leona Lewis and Susan Boyle.

While Shayne has released new albums, nobody seems to care about them. Even some of his fans are turning their back on the singer. Well, at least he can tell his grandkids he had three millions sales; back when he was famous.

Stacey Soloman

She is a very bubbly character, and even off X-Factor she used this talent to bag other ways to get on air. While her song You Are Not Alone charted #1 for a few weeks in the UK, it didn't make her a big artist.

She decided to go on I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! after a while off TV - this is where she really captured our hearts, with her sweet, weird and crazy personality. She won and has since then became the face of Iceland, who sponsor I'm a Celeb.

Her second single, Driving Home for Christmas, will be released on the 19th of December. Will it be her breakthrough?

Now there are the one's that have got a good fan base and can probably keep their names in gold. While some of these have only just started, I assure myself they're here to stay.

While I don't really like their songs, there's no contesting that these are prominent to be one of the biggest boybands in the UK. With a huge twitter following and trends almost every week, the boys have successfully created a network of jawdropped girls, begging for cuddles and songs.

Even though they're not the biggest success in the charts, they're a YouTube sensation and VEVO really seem to want to upload. As long as they keep breaking hearts around the world, I'm sure they'll go far.

JLS

The only band to come out of the X-Factor and still have a flourishing career. One Direction may be a good challenge for them, but they're just starting out.

JLS consists of four members, with Aston being the lead singer. They have sold around three million albums in the short time they've been in the charts. The great thing about JLS is they never stop releasing or touring. Unlike Shayne or Alexandra, they understand the importance of keeping their fans happy.

The boys are hoping to get their fourth album on the go before 2013.

Leona Lewis

The biggest thing to come out the X-Factor UK, Leona has made a great success in the music industry. With over 10 million albums sold and number one's in over 12 countries, she really has made it in the music industry.

Leona's biggest achievement would be cracking America. Her song, Bleeding Love, hit the US markets and many Americans loved the track.

She's then went on to make another album and continued touring. In her new song, it features Avicii. Many have said she is creating a more 'pop' approach to the charts; which shows she's working with the music-markets.

Olly Murs

While her may not be the biggest in sales, he is definitely the biggest in character. Olly has been on a large variety of shows and hosted the X-Factor extra 2011.

Olly writes his own songs, so when he wants to work on music, he can without the help of a team. His genre ranges from reggee to pop, which gives him a good mix of songs. His track 'Heart Skips a Beat' was largely dance, and featured up-and-coming band Rizzle Kicks.

While I cannot predict the future, I can only see things getting better for Olly. He's got a great fan base, and one that is changing and growing all the time. With his large amount of style, many people are jumping on his bandwagon.

Cher Lloyd

From coming fourth in the X-Factor, she has really topped everyone else who she was against. With Matt Cardle's records selling a measly 70,000, Cher has rocked this years X-Factor and is rocking this years charts.

While her first single, Swagger Jagger, came under much criticism from YouTube audiences when released, she's then went on to write With Ur Love, which came under less criticism.

She is still in very new in the market though, but with an adaptable amount of genre's including rap, I doubt she'll be gone from our charts for quite a while.