After weeks of auditions, buckets off tears, falling of chairs with laughter and shouting at the telly, it’s finally time to face the music. That’s right, the first live X Factor show goes out tonight and it’s going to be a good one, we can feel it in our bones. The 16 finalists have revealed their amazing new makeovers (start with 2 Shoes and scroll through our gallery to see the whole load of them looking glam) and they’ve picked their songs (that's still a secret). And now it’s time to see if they can really cut it live, on stage, in front of loads of the viewing public.

Oh and then there is The Twist. The X Factor bods have been on about this exciting first twist for the last few days and we finally know what it is. For the first time in XF history, tonight’s live show will not be voted for by the public and instead it will be the judges who pick the weakest singers. And not just one person will leave the show this weekend – four will - which means the finalist numbers for show two will be down to 12. Each judge will be forced to pick one of their own acts to vote off after tonight’s live performances and tomorrow, they will deliver their verdicts on which acts go.

Oh yes, it’s going to be emotional. And if Kitty Brucknell has anything to do with it, a little bit annoying. But seeing Gary Barlow’s beautiful face will without a doubt keep us glued to the TV tonight, tomorrow night and for the next two months. Until it all ends at Christmas and we have to go back to having a real life again on weekends. Oh God, just thinking about it makes us feel a little queasy.

Enjoy the show tonight heatworlders and don’t forget to come back here after and tell us who you want out...

The X Factor, ITV1, 7.30pm