The new series of X Factor has just hit our screens and most of us love (even though we may not admit it!) to watch the contestants’ performances every Saturday night. What we don’t see is all the hard work – rehearsing with the musicians, the lighting, the costumes, the camera work – that goes into creating each Saturday night’s performance. The other vital ingredient that makes a successful performance sparkle is the ‘X’ Factor – the intangible quality that some contestants have and others don’t.  This has little to do with technical talent and everything to do with the contestants’ personal story, their experience and their character. As viewers of the show, we are presented with an edited version of each contestant, typically showcased in a two minute song, briefly introduced with their personal story.