In its heyday it was one of the most prestigious talent television talent shows in the country.

More than 13 million tuned in to watch X Factor on a Saturday night.

The show, founded by Simon Cowell, found global singers including boy band phenomenon One Direction, Little Mix and Olly Murs.

But yesterday when X Factor came to Southampton to try and find the next pop sensation, representatives ended up to convince people to even audition.

Wannabe popstars were advised to turn up early to avoid disappointment but there were only half a dozen people prior to the event.

The nationwide audition tour, which is visiting cities around the country, feel short when there were no more than 15 people queuing throughout the day waiting to perform in ‘the pod’.

Singers who did audition, were recorded and they will find out if they were successful in the next few months.

Some of the people who did audition, included:

Marian Lunar, 20, a student at Southampton Solent Music Performance living in the city centre, who said: “I was just walking and I saw the auditions. I am going to perform a Westlife song. I’m not really nervous. I am confident. I have been singing my whole life, I sing every single day. I have done gigs in Southampton and my next one will be at The Joiners. I believe I have the Xfactor, it’s about having the whole package: looks, talent and personality.”

Lots of the people who auditioned on the day, were not even aware that the competition was taking place.

Mums, Rachel Hart and Alisha Openshaw were coming back from lunch after their mother and baby play group when they decided to audition together with their babies Mason and Isabelle - singing one of the baby songs from their group.

Last year the ITV show hit a ten year low, with only 6.8 million viewers tuning in for first episode down 800,000 from previous year’s opener.