 Auditions were held in cities around the UK and Republic of Ireland – London, Manchester, Birmingham, Dublin, Leeds and Glasgow.Cowell had also stated that there "could" be a 14–24s category but during the audition process the category was named as 16–24s, as in the previous two series.Cowell was given the 16–24s, Osbourne had the Over 25s, and Walsh mentored the Groups.