The X Factor final will be held outside of London for the first time in the show's history.

TV bosses plan to take the show to Manchester for the climax of the series, which will take place in December.

It follows last year's huge live final at Wembley Arena when the show moved from Fountain Studios for the first time.

The 2012 finale will take place at Manchester Central, with judges Gary Barlow, Nicole Scherzinger, Tulisa and Louis Walsh all heading to the city to crown the winner.

Louis said: "Our Live Final is going to be another major event, so The X Factor 2012 has everything. I believe it's going to be our best series yet."

Nearly half the tickets for the two-night final at the 11,000 seat venue, formerly known as GMEX, will be given to customers of the sponsor of the series and final, TalkTalk.

The new series begins on Saturday.