JLS And Olly Murs Look Back On The X Factor Ahead Of New Series - Video

31 July 2012, 13:54 | Updated: 31 July 2012, 14:13

Former contestants from the ITV1 series, including Little Mix, reminisce about their time on the show.

JLS, Olly Murs and Little Mix have all opened up about their experiences on The X Factor and how the ITV1 talent show helped to change their lives.

All three acts all feature in new promotional videos for the 2012 series of The X Factor, which explore their childhood and experiences auditioning and starring on the show.

The X Factor is currently ramping up coverage ahead of its return to the screen this autumn, and launching a joint TV advert earlier this week featuring former contestants including One Direction, Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke.

"I didn't really start singing until I went to the pub, when I was about 23. I just started to sing on the karaoke more and more with my mates," Olly recalls, in his story video. "The reason I did The X Factor was because my life was kind of missing something, and I think singing and performing was the thing that I was missing."

Watch Olly Murs talking about his time on The X Factor below:

2008 series runners-up JLS recall how their audition for The X Factor had been a last ditch attempt to make it in the industry, after failing to make headway with scoring a record deal for a year before they signed up for the show.

"We had tried to break intro the music industry for about a year and though the final spin of the dice would be to go on The X Factor," 'She Makes Me Wanna' singer Marvin Humes recalls in their video. "It is emotional to look at it now and think about the journey that we've had. Scraping money together to rehearse in a dirty studio in London to performing on the world stage is just incredible."

Watch JLS talking about their careers success single starring on The X Factor in 2008 below:

Finally, The X Factor 2011 champions Little Mix open up about how the show helped them as performers by eventually forming them into a girl band and helping to grow their confidence as singers.

"When I first did my audition I just felt so alone on the stage," 'Wings' singer Jesy Nelson explains. "Then as soon as I got put in a group I just got a whole new lease of confidence.

Watch Little Mix talking about winning the last series of the ITV1 show below:

The X Factor 20112 is due to launch this autumn with a judging panel consisting of Gary Barlow, Louis Walsh, Tulisa Contostavlos and new addition Nicole Scherzinger.

View a picture of JLS back on the The X Factor in 2008 below (Credit: PA):