X Factor is the Danish version of British TV show The X Factor, created by Simon Cowell. The show premiered on 4 January 2008. For the first eleven seasons, the show was broadcast on DR1 before moving to TV 2 from the twelfth season onwards. There have been nineteen winners to date, most notable are Martin Hoberg Hedegaard (2008), Thomas Ring Petersen (2010), Anthony Jasmin (2014), Place on Earth (2018) & Mads Moldt (2022).
The original judging panel consisted of Thomas Blachman, Lina Rafn and Remee. The most recent panel consisted of Blachman, Drew Sycamore, and Benjamin Hav. Former judges include Soulshock, Pernille Rosendahl, Cutfather, Ida Corr, Anne Linnet, Mette Lindberg, Sanne Salomonsen, Ankerstjerne, Martin Jensen, Kwamie Liv, Oh Land, and Simon Kvamm. The original host was Lise Rønne. The current host is Maria Fantino, who has hosted the show since season 17. Former presenters include Signe Muusmann, Signe Molde, Eva Harlou and Sofie Linde.
On 14 August 2017, DR announced that the show would end after the eleventh season. On 21 December 2017, TV 2 announced that they had acquired the rights to the show. In 2024, it was announced that X Factor had been renewed for an eighteenth season.
Judging history
On 15 October 2007, jazz musician Thomas Blachman, Infernal singer Lina Rafn and songwriter Remee were announced as judges for season 1. On 18 September 2008, Rafn confirmed that she would be returning as a judge for season 2. The following day, it was confirmed that Blachman and Remee would be returning as judges for season 2.
On 13 August 2009, Rafn announced that she would not be returning as a judge for season 3 due to her pregnancy. On 1 October 2009, Blachman confirmed that he would also not be returning as a judge for season 3. On 5 October 2009, it was confirmed that Remee would be returning as a judge for season 3. On 8 October 2009, record producer Soulshock was confirmed as Blachman's replacement. On 15 October 2009, it was announced that The Storm singer Pernille Rosendahl would replace Rafn as the third and final judge for season 3 alongside Remee and Soulshock.
On 19 September 2010, Soulshock confirmed that he had been dropped as a judge for season 4. On 21 September 2010, Blachman confirmed that he would be returning as a judge for season 4, replacing Soulshock. The following day, it was confirmed that Rosendahl would be returning as a judge for season 4. On 24 September 2010, it was confirmed that record producer Cutfather would replace Remee as a judge for season 4. On 13 September 2011, it was announced that Blachman, Rosendahl and Cutfather would be returning as judges for season 5.
On 20 December 2011, Blachman announced that he would be leaving the show at the conclusion of season 5. On 8 February 2012, Rosendahl announced that she would also be leaving the show after season 5 due to starring in the musical Hey Jude. On 10 February 2012, Cutfather announced that season 5 would be his last season as a judge in order to return to his career due to "the show mentally taking time and thought space." On 20 August 2012, despite announcing that he would be leaving the show at the conclusion of season 5, it was confirmed that Blachman would be returning as a judge for season 6, while singers Ida Corr and Anne Linnet would replace Rosendahl and Cutfather.
On 18 September 2013, it was confirmed that Rafn and Remee would be returning to replace Corr and Linnet as judges for season 7 alongside Blachman. On 18 August 2014, it was confirmed that Blachman, Rafn and Remee would be returning as judges for season 8.
On 15 July 2015, Rafn confirmed that she would not be returning as a judge for season 9 due to an Infernal concert tour. On 12 August 2015, it was confirmed that The Asteroids Galaxy Tour singer Mette Lindberg would replace Rafn as a judge for season 9 alongside returning judges Blachman and Remee. On 12 August 2016, it was confirmed that Blachman, Remee and Lindberg would be returning as judges for season 10.
On 2 August 2017, Lindberg announced that she would not be returning as a judge for season 11. On 10 August 2017, it was confirmed that singer Sanne Salomonsen would replace Lindberg as a judge for season 11 alongside returning judges Blachman and Remee.
On 11 April 2018, it was confirmed that Blachman would be returning as a judge for season 12. The following day, Remee confirmed that he would not be returning as a judge for season 12. On 26 April 2018, it was confirmed that Salomonsen would not be returning as a judge for season 12 due to joining DR1's new television music competition LIVE! Danmarks nye live-artist as a judge. On 8 August 2018, it was announced that rapper Ankerstjerne and singer Oh Land would replace Remee and Salomonsen as judges for season 12 alongside Blachman. On 15 August 2019, it was confirmed that Blachman, Ankerstjerne and Oh Land would be returning as judges for season 13.
On 2 July 2020, Ankerstjerne confirmed that he would not be returning as a judge for season 14 in order to focus on "new dreams and projects," but did not rule out a return in the future. On 11 September 2020, it was announced that DJ Martin Jensen would replace Ankerstjerne as a judge for season 14 alongside returning judges Blachman and Oh Land.
On 23 July 2021, Oh Land announced that she would not be returning as a judge for season 15, stating that she "could not do everything at once."
Hosts and Judges
Hosts Lise Rønne: 2008–2009, 2011–2012 Signe Muusmann: 2010 Signe Molde: 2013 Eva Harlou: 2014–2015 Sofie Linde 2016–2023 Maria Fantino 2024–presentGuest hosts Joakim Ingversen: 2018 (2 Liveshows) Lise Rønne: 2021 (liveshows) Melvin Kakooza: 2020 (bootcamp)Xtra hosts Emil Thorup: 2013 Thomas Skov: 2015 Joakim Ingversen: 2016–2018 Jacob Riising: 2018 Rasmus Brohave: 2019Judges Thomas Blachman: 2008–2009, 2011–present Lina Rafn: 2008–2009, 2014–2015 Remee Jackson: 2008–2010, 2014–2018 Soulshock: 2010 Pernille Rosendahl: 2010–2012 Cutfather: 2011–2012 Ida Corr: 2013 Anne Linnet: 2013 Mette Lindberg: 2016–2017 Sanne Salomonsen: 2018 Ankerstjerne: 2019–2020 Oh Land: 2019–2021, 2024–2025 Martin Jensen: 2021–2022 Kwamie Liv: 2022–2023 Simon Kvamm: 2023–2025 Benjamin Hav 2026–present Drew Sycamore 2026–presentGuest judges Kasper Winding: 2008 Michael Guldhammer: 2008 Cutfather: 2008 Henrik Balling: 2009 Adam Powers: 2009 Martin Dodd: 2009 Thomas Troelsen: 2010 Toniah Pedersen: 2010 Nikolaj Steen: 2010 Djuna Barnes: 2011 Le Gammeltoft: 2011 Kenneth Bager: 2011 Dicte: 2012 Mattias Kolstrup: 2012 Kato: 2012 Vinne Who: 2013 Carla Camilla Hjort: 2013 Marcus Linnet: 2013 Linnart Ginman og Carsten Dahl: 2014 Patrick Spiegelberg og Jonas Worup: 2014 Chief 1: 2014
Series overview To date, nineteen seasons have been broadcast, as summarised below. From season 15 onwards, the judges mentored one act from each category to the live shows: one from the 15-22s, one from the Over 23s, and one from the Groups. Season Premiere FinaleHost1st judge2nd judge3rd judge Winner Runner-up Winning judgeDR1 era (2008–2018) 1 4 January 2008 Lise Rønne Thomas Blachman Lina Rafn Remee Jackson Martin Hoberg Hedegaard(15-24s) Laura Arensbak Kjærgaard(15-24s) Remee 2 Linda Andrews(Over 25s) Alien Beat Club(Groups) Lina Rafn 3 Signe MuusmannSoulshockPernille Rosendahl Thomas Ring Petersen(Over 25s) Tine Midtgaard Madsen(15-24s) Pernille Rosendahl 4 Lise Rønne Thomas BlachmanCutfather Sarah Skaalum Jørgensen(15-24s) Annelouise Sørensen(Over 25s) Cutfather 5 Ida Østergaard Madsen(15-24s) Line Dissing Karred Larsen(15-24s) Pernille Rosendahl 6 Signe MoldeIda CorrAnne Linnet Chresten Flack Damborg(Over 24s) Karoline(15-23s) Ida Corr 7 3 January 2014 28 March 2014 Eva HarlouLina RafnRemee Jackson Anthony Jasmin(Groups) Lucy Mardou(Over 23s) Thomas Blachman 8 2 January 2015 27 March 2015 Emilie Esther(15-22s) Jógvan(Over 23s) Remee 9 8 January 2016 1 April 2016 Sofie LindeMette LindbergEmbrace(Groups)Reem Hamze(15-22s) 10 30 December 2016 31 March 2017Morten Nørgaard(Over 23s)Chili Pedersen(15-22s) 11 1 January 2018 6 April 2018Sanne SalomonsenPlace on Earth(Groups)Jamie Talbot(Over 23s)Thomas BlachmanTV2 revival era (2019–present) 12 4 January 2019 12 April 2019 Sofie Linde Thomas Blachman Oh LandAnkerstjerneKristian Kjærlund(Over 23s)Benjamin Rosenbohm(15-22s)Thomas Blachman131 January 202023 May 2020Alma Agger(15-22s)Mathilde Caffey(15-22s)141 January 20219 April 2021Martin JensenSolveig Lindelof(15-22s)Nikoline Steen Kristensen(15-22s)Oh Land 151 January 20228 April 2022Kwamie LivMads Moldt(15-22s)Kári Fossdalsá(Over 23s)Thomas Blachman161 January 202331 March 2023Simon KvammROSÉL(Groups)Sigalaz(Groups)Simon Kvamm171 January 20245 April 2024 Maria FantinoOh LandHelene Frank(Over 23s)Selmani(Groups)1827 December 20244 April 2025 Leslie(15-22s) 9000 Håb(Groups) Oh Land 19 1 January 2026 10 April 2026 Drew Sycamore Benjamin Hav Hugo A(15-22s) Hevi(15-22s) Benjamin Hav
Judges' categories and their contestants Key: – Winning judge/category. Winners are in bold, eliminated contestants in small font.