'X Factor UK' to Introduce New 'Flash Vote' Twist

Credit: ITV

The live shows for season 10 of The X Factor UK are nearing, and with the new season comes a new, potentially-controversial development.

The Daily Mail reports that the show will introduce a new twist this season: the "Flash Vote". At the end of each live performance show on Saturday night, viewers will only be allowed to vote for ten minutes to save their favorite act from elimination. Once the votes are verified, the first act in the bottom two will be revealed that same night. The lines will then be reopened and voting will continue as normal until Sunday night, when the next act in the bottom two will be revealed. The two acts will then compete in the sing-off to determine which act stays and which act leaves the competition.

The first live episode is scheduled to take place on October 12th, and will feature an 80's theme. Before then, however, the judges will have to narrow their acts down to three apiece during the intense Judges' Houses round, in which each mentor will vet their acts with the help of a special guest judge. Gary Barlow will mentor the Groups in New York with guest judge Olly Murs, while Sharon Osbourne will fly her Over 25s out to her home in Los Angeles with guest judge Robbie Williams. Louis Walsh has flown the Boys out to Saint-Tropez, where he will decide on his final three acts with the help of three guest judges -- former All Saints member Nicole Appleton, Westlife star Shane Filan, and pop/R&B singer Sinitta.