5x1 - Auditions 1

August 16, 2008

5x2 - Auditions 2

August 23, 2008

5x3 - Auditions 3

August 30, 2008

5x4 - Auditions 4

August 6, 2008

5x5 - Auditions 5

August 13, 2008

5x6 - Auditions 6

August 20, 2008

5x7 - Boot Camp 1

August 27, 2008

5x8 - Boot Camp 2

August 28, 2008

5x9 - Boot Camp 3

October 4, 2008

5x10 - Boot Camp 4

October 5, 2008

5x11 - Elimination 1

October 11, 2008

5x12 - Elimination 1 (Result)

October 11, 2008

5x13 - Elimination 2

October 18, 2008

5x14 - Elimination 2 (Result)

October 18, 2008

5x15 - Elimination 3

October 25, 2008

The 10 remaining acts return to perform live for the third time. This week each act has to perform a Big Band song. The judges give their verdicts on what they have heard. At the end of the show the phone lines are opened for this week's public vote.

5x16 - Elimination 3 (Result)

October 25, 2008

The finalists performed a cover version of the Mariah Carey song "Hero" on behalf of the Help for Heroes charity. This song will be released as a download on Sunday 26 as a download and Monday 27 physically.

5x17 - Elimination 4

November 1, 2008

Down to nine acts and the contestants must sing again for a place in next week's show. This week they must sing classic disco songs for the judges and the viewers at home. The viewers will then vote for their favourite and the two acts with the lowest number of votes will be forced to sing again for the judges who will then decide to save one act.

5x18 - Elimination 4 (Result)

November 1, 2008

Theme: Disco Celebrity Guest: Will Young Song performed by celebrity guest: Changes

5x19 - Elimination 5

November 8, 2008

Dermot O'Leary hosts the fifth live show of the series. This week, the eight remaining acts meet Mariah Carey and must perform her songs for the judges and the viewers. The viewers will then vote for their favourite and the two acts with the lowest number of votes will sing again for the judges who will choose to save one act and send the other home.

5x20 - Elimination 5 (Result)

November 8, 2008

Theme: Mariah Carey Celebrity Guest: Mariah Carey Song performed by celebrity guest: TBA

5x21 - Elimination 6

November 15, 2008

Theme: Best of British

5x22 - Elimination 6 (Result)

November 15, 2008

Celebrity Guest: Leona Lewis Song performed by celebrity guest: "Run"

5x23 - Elimination 7

November 22, 2008

5x24 - Elimination 7 (Result)

November 22, 2008

5x25 - Elimination 8

November 29, 2008

Five acts remain in the competition and the acts must now perform 2 songs each. This week the theme is American Classics as the contestants perform for the viewers' votes. The two acts with the lowest number of votes must then sing again for the judges Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh, Cheryl Cole and Dannii Minogue. Hannah Montana star Miley Cyrus appears in this episode.

5x26 - Elimination 8 (Result)

November 29, 2008

Theme: Songs by Britney Spears and American Classics Song performed by celebrity guests: "Womanizer" (Britney Spears), "7 Things" (Miley Cyrus)

5x27 - Series 5 - Elimination - 9

December 6, 2008

With only four acts remaining in the competition, we reach the 9th live show of the series. The contestants must each perform 2 songs for the viewers' votes. The 2 acts with the lowest number of votes will have to sing again judges Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh, Cheryl Cole and Dannii Minogue who, for the last time, will choose an act to send home.

5x28 - Series 5 - Elimination - 9 (Result)

December 6, 2008

5x29 - Series 5 - The Final

December 13, 2008

There are only three acts remaining in this week's grand final. After auditions, boot camp, the mentors' houses and nine live shows, the three acts remaining in the competition sing for one last time for the audience vote. The act with the highest number of votes will be crowned The X Factor champion of 2008 winning a £1m recording contract with Simon Cowell. Dannii Minogue is the only judge with no acts left in the competition.