The X Factor will visit Leicester for the first time as the talent show completes its open auditions stage.

The ITV programme’s visit to the city comes shortly after Leicester City Football Club became Premier League champions, beating odds of 5,000-1.

The Leicester team bus drives through the centre of the city
The Leicester team bus drives through the centre of the city (Tim Goode/PA)

Leicester’s underdog victory was followed by a parade through the city’s streets as hundreds of thousands of fans celebrated the win.

Simon Cowell said: “Until this year, Leicester had never won the Premier League, and we had never held X Factor auditions in the city, so it is time to say hello.”

Simon Cowell (SYCO/Thames TV)
Simon Cowell (SYCO/Thames TV)

Groups and solo singers over the age of 16 have been invited to audition on Friday at King Power Stadium – home to Leicester City FC.

X Factor executive producer Mark Sidaway said: “If any city has shown this year that it has the X Factor then it’s Leicester.

the x factor
X Factor winner Louisa Johnson (Syco/Thames/Corbis/Dymond)

“We’re hoping the fairytale continues for a lucky singer or group from the area.”

Leicester’s Sam Bailey triumphed on The X Factor in 2013 – and is also a proud supporter of the city’s football team.

X Factor winner Sam Bailey performs on the pitch at King Power Stadium at half-time
X Factor winner Sam Bailey performs on the pitch at King Power Stadium at half-time (Nick Potts/PA)

Acts who turn up on the day will have the chance to perform for the X Factor team.

If they are successful, they will then perform in front of the judges in June – although it has not yet been announced who those judges will be.

Nick Grimshaw, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, Rita Ora, Olly Murs and Caroline Flack have all left The X Factor (ITV/PA)
Nick Grimshaw, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, Rita Ora, Olly Murs and Caroline Flack have all left The X Factor (ITV/PA)

With Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, Rita Ora and Nick Grimshaw all having left the talent show, the only judge now remaining from the 2015 line-up is Simon Cowell.

The X Factor will return to ITV later this year.