<P> This series proved to be highly controversial, with many people complaining about the use of pitch correction software on the broadcast of contestants' auditions, the decision to form two groups out of rejected soloists, the rejection of popular contestant Gamu Nhengu at judges' houses and Cole's failure to vote to eliminate an act in week 5 of the live shows . Controversy also surrounded contestants Shirlena Johnson, who was axed over fears for her mental health, and Treyc Cohen, who was reported to already have a record deal when the live shows started . There were also accusations of fixing, which were denied by the show's producers . It was the most watched series to date, with an average of 14.13 million viewers per episode . The final was watched by 17.71 million people, making it the highest rated television episode of 2010 in the UK . </P> <P> In February 2010, Dannii Minogue confirmed that she would not attend the auditions for series 7 due to being pregnant . It was confirmed that guest judges would take Minogue's place alongside Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and Cheryl Cole during the auditions . The guest judges were Geri Halliwell, Natalie Imbruglia, Katy Perry, Pixie Lott and Nicole Scherzinger . On 11 June, Minogue was confirmed by ITV to return for the judges' houses stage . Cole missed the Manchester auditions and bootcamp due to having malaria, so Scherzinger returned as a guest judge for bootcamp . Cole then returned for the judges' houses stage . Dermot O'Leary returned for his fourth series as presenter of the main show on ITV, but Holly Willoughby did not return for her third series as presenter on The Xtra Factor on ITV2 and was replaced by Konnie Huq . Brian Friedman returned as creative director, while Ali Tennant and Savan Kotecha were hired as vocal coaches . However, Tennant's contract was ended before the live shows and was replaced by Yvie Burnett, who worked as vocal coach from series 2--6 . Richard "Biff" Stannard began working as show song producer for Minogue's contestant, and Grace Woodward began working on the show as fashion director . </P> <P> The first appeal for applicants for series 7 was broadcast during series 6 on 5 December 2009 . Applicants for the seventh series were given the opportunity to apply by uploading a video audition to the Internet . Auditions began in June 2010 in six cities: Glasgow (SECC, 9 June), Birmingham (LG Arena, 13--14 June), London (ExCeL London, 21--24 June), Dublin (Convention Centre Dublin, 28 June), Cardiff (International Arena, 2 July), and Manchester (Manchester Central, 9--11 July). Dublin returned as an audition city for the first time since the third series in 2006 . </P> <P> Halliwell was the first guest judge, and attended the Glasgow auditions . Imbruglia was the second guest judge, appearing for the Birmingham auditions . The guest judge slot was axed for the London auditions, but continued with Perry judging in Dublin, Lott in Cardiff and Scherzinger at the auditions in Manchester . Cole was unable to attend the Manchester auditions because she had contracted malaria and was not replaced for them . </P>

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