The biggest act to date BY FAR to come out of X Factor has to be One Direction. But the boys didn't win the show when they appeared in 2010, they came THIRD. Coming in first place was Matt Cardle (we all remember what Harry Styles whispered in his ear when he was crowned winner).

Who won X Factor when One Direction were on?

2010 - Matt Cardle

But One Direction's popularity continued to skyrocket and they quickly became the most famous contestants from that series of the talent show. Mr Cardle still released four studio albums and also took a lead role in the musical Memphis in the West End in 2015.

Who is the most successful ex One Direction member?

While Styles, Horan, and Malik have a leg up on Payne and Tomlinson for releasing more than one album, all five of the men have done well in album sales. To compare their first albums at the time right after Tomlinson released Walls in early 2020, Styles definitely took the lead.