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Josh and Jaymi walked offstage into the audience and a huge cheering reception. The judges liked Triple J, but competition was beyond fierce to land a coveted spot at Judges’ Houses. They had to consider who was going through and who would be competing against them. Already, another group was standing out as one to watch as well as Triple J – another three-piece called GMD3.

      The judges decided to put them head-to-head in the next stage of Bootcamp, where both groups would be singing ‘Moves Like Jagger’ at the same time. Louis prepped the two groups for their big moment before starting proceedings. As the familiar whistling introduction to the hit Maroon 5 song began, Triple J were stunned to see GMD3 start by doing backflips. It was a slick move that impressed the judges straight away – Triple J would have to make their vocals even more bang-on to compare with that. They gave it their all and sang their hearts out, but just halfway through the song, Gary raised his hands to bring them all to a stop. Louis explained what was happening – the judges were ready to confer. The Triple J boys huddled together as they strained to hear what the judges were saying beneath their breath. Gary was of the opinion that both bands were better than before, and Nicole and Louis were particularly impressed with one band, whose members had really left an impression on them. But who were they talking about, and who would be put through to the next stage?

      Wearing a stripy grey shirt, Jaymi looked pained as he clasped his hands together and waited with the other two boys to hear the verdict. Louis revealed that the judges had come to a decision and that the band coming back tomorrow would be GMD3. Was this the end of Triple J’s dreams? They watched the other group happily leave the stage. Triple J pulled together, their hearts beating fiercely. But Louis wasn’t finished with his big reveal – Triple J would also be returning to the auditions tomorrow! Josh yelled in delight and the others gasped in disbelief. They vowed to the judges that they would give it their best and thanked them from the bottom of their hearts. Yet again, they ran offstage on a complete high, buzzing with possibility.

      As Triple J inched their way through Bootcamp, there was one more final hurdle standing between them and Judges’ Houses. The standard of groups that year was high and already the judges had put a number of acts through – MK1, Times Red, Rough Copy, Mitsotu, Poisonous Twins and Duke. Now there was only one space left for another group and the judges were divided. They could see the merits of both Triple J and GMD3 and so reluctantly came to a harsh solution. Gathering both groups onstage, Gary broke the news, looking serious. He explained that, unbelievably, Triple J would again be pitched against GMD3 for the last remaining spot. Both groups would have to sing a cappella – without any backing track – and show the judges just how good they were. With only a minute to decide their song, Jaymi gripped his stomach with nerves, while Josh and JJ looked dumbstruck.

      Adrenalin rushed through their veins as Triple J frantically discussed their song choice and tried to practise as much as they could in the few seconds available to them. As they were passed three microphones, Jaymi rubbed his face, the stress clear for all to see. Taking swigs of much-needed water, Josh urged his bandmates to do anything but make a mistake. Gary signalled that the time was right to begin and that it was Triple J first. The boys launched into a harmonious version of Chris Brown’s party anthem ‘Yeah 3x’. It was a clean, sharp version and GMD3 looked pale with nerves as they stared across at their rivals. Gary thanked the band sincerely, as the boys put their arms around each other. The next few minutes would be agony.

      GMD3 chose to sing ‘Bless the Broken Road’ by country singer Rascal Flatts. Their vocals were sweet and perfectly in tune – Jaymi looked across, impressed by the other group. Josh crossed his arms, a deadly serious look on his face. GMD3 were storming it and there was no chance Triple J would be the clear winners in this sing-off. Although they tried to keep their expressions neutral, the judges were evidently impressed – especially Tulisa, who sat with her chin in her hands, gazing up at GMD3. They ended with a perfectly delivered melisma (packing a series of different notes into a single syllable) – it had been a great performance. Gary thanked the groups and asked for a few moments to make their decisions. The judges conferred again, with Nicole voicing her concerns that both groups were deserving of the spot. But it sounded as if there was no doubt in Tulisa’s mind, as she praised one particular group for moving her. With their eyes red-rimmed with tears, JJ, Jaymi and Josh pulled together to hear their fate.

      Gary was apologetic as he delivered their verdict. Accepting that they had always been pitched against each other, it was going to be a hard moment when just one of GMD3 or Triple J would see it through to Judges’ Houses. And the name on his lips was … GMD3. That was it – Triple J were out! The tension and anxiety that had been rushing through them these past few days suddenly left, and the boys came back down to earth with a bump. Turning to congratulate their fellow group, the boys were resigned but grateful for the experience. Jaymi turned to mouth ‘thank you’ to the judges. Gary congratulated Triple J for their hard work, looking genuinely devastated to be sending home the three talented boys. They stumbled offstage in shock, with Jaymi only managing to utter a few words about how good GMD3 had been to a waiting Dermot. Josh’s emotions had overcome him and he was by now in floods of tears. Ever the optimist, Jaymi told the waiting cameras that this woudn’t be the end of the band – they were still going to chase their dream of pop success.

      It had been their best shot, but now Triple J had been kicked out of The X Factor. As Josh, Jaymi and JJ gathered their bags and began the long journey home, they tried to come to terms with the crushing blow just dealt them. Perhaps Triple J wasn’t meant to be. And the fact was, it wasn’t. But though the boys didn’t know it then, soon enough they would be back on The X Factor – in an incredible twist to their line-up and name that would leave everyone amazed.

      It was just an ordinary summer’s night for George Shelley when a phone call arrived that would change his life forever. The teenager was sitting at home in Clevedon, chatting with his mum, when his mobile rang. It had been a few weeks since George had suffered the disappointment of not making it through the Bootcamp phase of The X Factor, but he’d managed to put it to the back of his mind. Instead, he was focusing on going back to uni and moving on with his life. But as George’s mum Toni watched her son’s face go ‘taut’ as he took the phone call, she knew something was up. ‘It’s The X Factor on the phone,’ George mouthed at her, stunned. Indeed, it was one of the show’s producers, who asked if George would be interested in returning to the show. Circumstances had changed and they were now keen to see the talented West Country teenager once more. George couldn’t believe it. As he put the phone down, he explained to his mum: ‘I’ve got an hour to call them back with my decision. If I agree to go back, I’ve got to be in London tomorrow morning!’

      It was a no-brainer – George and his mum decided to go to London for this out-of-the-blue opportunity. George didn’t know it then, but behind the scenes there had been a lot of interest in him since he’d left The X Factor, and the stars were about to align in his favour.

      Triple J’s manager Blair Dreelan had spotted the handsome singer at Bootcamp and thought he had the potential to be developed into a solo star. After getting George’s details, he stayed in touch with him and decided to manage him – but then, spookily, The X Factor producers also contacted Blair about Triple J returning to the competition. Incredibly, a last-minute slot had opened up due to a visa issue with one of the groups, South London’s Rough Copy. The Judges’ Houses episodes were to be filmed mainly abroad, so Nigerian-born member Kazeem Ajobo had to apply for a visa to travel to the United States and then back to the UK. Unfortunately for Rough Copy, the application hadn’t been approved in time, so the band wouldn’t be able to travel and take part in the show. With days to go before filming was required to start, The X Factor producers convened an emergency meeting with Louis Walsh – who was to be the Groups mentor – to discuss who could replace Rough Copy. There were two groups who’d stood out in the Irish mogul’s eyes: Triple J and Times Red. ‘When Rough Copy left, I found it difficult to choose between two groups to fill

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