Jump directly to the content
HANDY TANDY

Who is Holly Tandy? X Factor 2017 contestant who made it through to live shows

Holly Tandy on The X Factor

X FACTOR 2017 contestant Holly Tandy certainly made an impact in her audition - impressing the judges and leaving her family in tears.

The 15-year-old impressed Simon Cowell and the panel with her rendition of Alicia Keys' If I Ain't Got You and is through to the third weekend of live shows. Here's her story...

 Holly Tandy impressed the judges with her audition on X Factor
2
Holly Tandy impressed the judges with her audition on X FactorCredit: TOM DYMOND

Who is Holly Tandy?

Holly Tandy is a teenage schoolgirl from Barnsley who appeared in the very first episode of the X Factor 2017.

Tandy was only able to appear after the age limit for this year's series was lowered.

She immediately impressed Simon by telling him how she had once sung in front of an empty crowd after everyone walked out of one of her performances.

She said: "Can I tell you something Holly Tandy, you define determination. For someone who went into a club and people walked out and you've come back fighting and you're 15-years-old."

But the judges also offered a word of warning to Holly - urging her to define her own style and not rely on copying successful American stars.

The warmest praise after her performance came from Nicole Scherzinger - who told the Northern lass: "I love you, like you were staring at us in our eyeballs and that takes a lot of courage. I think there's so much of potential here."

After her audition ended, which saw Holly earn four yes votes from the panel, her grandfather - a singer in his youth - could be seen weeping with pride.

She survived the Six Chair Challenge and is now through to judges' houses.

 Holly Tandy is one of the youngest X Factor contestants ever
2
Holly Tandy is one of the youngest X Factor contestants everCredit: TOM DYMOND

When is The X Factor 2017 on ITV and who are the judges?

After launching on September 2, X Factor 2017 will continue every Saturday and Sunday on ITV.

The show begins, as always, with auditions as the nationwide hunt to find this year's winning act begins.

Despite heavy speculation of a judging shake up, the panel will be remaining exactly the same as last year.

This means Simon CowellNicole ScherzingerLouis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne will hold the hopefuls' fates in their hands.

Alisha Dixon is also appearing in the auditions, having stepped in as a guest judge when Sharon and Nicole were unable to attend.

It's the first time in seven years that X Factor bosses have kept the same judging panel as the year before.

A source said: “The ­chemistry was perfect last year, so it’s only natural to want to bring the same line-up together again."

Dermot O'Leary has returned to hosting duties after making his big comeback to the show last year.

X Factor's Holly Tandy performs Rihanna's Russian Roulette at judges houses
Topics