The X Factor: Final 12

Austin Drage: The 22-year-old from Essex - a 'natural born performer', according to judge Cheryl Cole - has reduced himself to tears several times during the auditions. Has the potential to go all the way. Previously appeared in E4 show 'Boys Will Be Girls' Photograph: ITV

Scott Bruton: Pontins Bluecoat who quit his job to try his luck on the show. The 19-year-old Manchester lad who started singing karaoke aged 11 has totally updated his image, but the judges are still wondering if he will take the risks needed to win Photograph: ITV

Eoghan Quigg: Just 16, although some think he looks much younger, Eoghan, from Derry, Northern Ireland, says he wants to 'put my town on the map'. Criticised by some as being too robotic, his youth and inexperience could count against him Photograph: ITV

Diana Vickers: Student Diana, 17, a singer since she was 11, has an indie-girl angle that has impressed the judges, who have called her 'captivating'. She plans to study psychology at college Photograph: ITV

Laura White: The 23-year-old, from Bolton, has been tipped by many as the one to beat. She eschewed formal training and opted to start singing in jazz bands aged 15 Photograph: ITV

Alexandra Burke: Louis told her in 2005 that she was going home just before the live auditions, but this year the judges have told her that she was 'born to do this' and that her singing is 'faultless'. She lives in a council flat in Islington, London, and shares a bed with her sister Photograph: ITV

Rachel Hylton: Single mum Rachel Hylton has been frank about her troubled past – she is a former drug addict, has spent time in jail and is a single mother. She has been warned that she could ruin it for herself. She says: 'You get choices like this maybe once or twice in your lifetime. I ain’t messing this up' Photograph: ITV

Daniel Evans: Pool cleaner Daniel, 38, was inspired to audition by his wife, who died last year. He now lives in Spain with his 14-month-old daughter. But some think that he is not the strongest singer in the final 12 Photograph: ITV

Ruth Lorenzo: The 25-year-old Spanish chanteuse is a woman of strong, if not overpowering, emotions. She has worked doing PR for a holiday company and sings in their resorts. During her final audition she broke down in tears and was unable to finish singing, leading judges to question if she would survive the live finals Photograph: ITV

JLS: Aged between 20 and 23, this quartet of best friends from London impressed from their first audition. They won best unsigned act at the 2007 Urban Music Awards Photograph: ITV

Bad Lashes: Derided at the start as 'four hairdressers trying to be a girlband' this quartet from Newcastle fought off competition from other all-female acts to make the final 12. They are aged between 19 and 23 Photograph: ITV

Girlband: Aged between 17 and 22, these four girls from Birmingham and Bristol were knocked back by Louis in their first audition - but then he put them through to the final 12. Members Tita and Phoebe are sisters Photograph: ITV