With the first live show airing this Saturday at 7.40pm and the first live results show set for Sunday, Irish fans of The X Factor will now be able to vote for their favourite contestants. During the shows on TV3, viewers will be directed to www.tv3.ie/xfactorvote where Irish voting numbers will be available while voting lines are open.

This year, The X Factor auditions took place in Ireland for the first time in four years. As a result, there are three Irish participants in the live shows. Mary Byrne will be in the 'Over 28s' category while Rebecca Creighton and Niall Horan are in taking part in the 'Groups' category.

Previous winners of the talent show who have gone on to make a splash in the industry include Shayne Ward, Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke. Last year Joe McElderry came out on top, but it was arguably Ireland's own Jedward who were the real winners. You don't see Joe getting on the cover of Hot Press, for a start. Who knows what impact the Irish vote will have on this year's competition? It certainly will make it more interesting. If you're into that sort of thing.