Simon Cowell has revealed his brand-new boyband, which he hopes will follow in the footsteps of One Direction.
The former X Factor boss, 66, discovered the seven-piece group during a nationwide search, documented for his new Netflix series, The Next Act, which premiered on Wednesday.
Handpicked alongside trusted industry figures, including hit-making producers and songwriters Pete Waterman, Savan Kotecha, and Kamille, Simon is now launching his latest protégés onto the music scene.
The band made their public debut on Tuesday evening at London’s Ham Yard Hotel, where they posed for photos on the red carpet and mingled with celebrities including Britain’s Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon and former Strictly star Bruno Tonioli.
Now, the Daily Mail can now reveal the identities of the boys hoping to capture the nation’s hearts and top the charts, recreating the magic of One Direction, whom Simon discovered on The X Factor in 2010.
They will perform under the name December 10, chosen by the band to mark the very moment they say the group was born.
Simon Cowell has revealed his brand-new boyband, which he hopes will follow in the footsteps of One Direction
The former X Factor boss discovered the seven-piece group during a nationwide search, documented for his new Netflix series, The Next Act, which premiered on Wednesday
Handpicked alongside trusted industry figures, Simon is now launching his latest protégés onto the music scene
Simon was joined at the launch event by fiancée Lauren Silverman, whose relationship with the music mogul is explored on the Netflix series, as she opens up about the challenges of spending quality time with her partner.
The couple’s romance comes under public scrutiny for the first time in The Next Act, which not only documents the audition process and discovery of December 10 but also offers a glimpse into their home life.
December 10 are already off to a promising start, having been signed by record company EMI/Universal, whose roster includes Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, and Lewis Capaldi.
Described as ‘hugely fun’ and ‘utterly joyful,’ the group features long-haired Harry Styles lookalike Nicolas Alves, 16, who was compared by the judges to a young George Michael during his first audition.
Cruz Lee-Ojo, 19, was the next to impress, capturing Simon’s attention with his rendition of Paul Russell’s Lil Boo Thang.
During his audition, 17-year-old Danny Bretherton was supported by his proud parents, who watched from the sidelines as producer Savan praised his voice and asked about his Indian heritage.
John Fadare, who passed on a role in Tom Fletcher’s Paddington the Musical to appear on Simon’s show, and Josh Olliver, both 17, were standout picks following their memorable first auditions.
Lastly, Hendrik Christoffersen, dubbed by Simon as the group’s ‘big brother’ for his ‘levelheadedness’, and Sean Hayden, both 19, complete December 10, whose debut single is set for release in the New Year.
Nicolas Alves, 16, was compared by the judges to a young George Michael during his first audition
Nicolas Alves, 16, from London
Nicolas immediately impressed Simon, who told him he looked ‘amazing’ the moment he walked into his first audition.
Originally from London but now living in Lisbon, Portugal, Nicolas already had experience performing on stage at Junior Eurovision.
Demonstrating his dedication, he told Simon, ‘When it comes to music I am very serious. It’s what I want to do, it’s what I’ve always wanted to do. Of course you have to have fun with it, but to a certain degree it has to be taken seriously too.’
Performing Elton John’s Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me, it quickly became clear that Nicolas had secured his place in the band well before the latter stages of the process.
Cruz Lee-Ojo, 19, was the next to impress, capturing Simon’s attention with his rendition of Paul Russell’s Lil Boo Thang
Cruz Lee-Ojo, 19, from Uxbridge, London
Simon’s show isn’t Cruz’s first experience on stage.
He previously played a young Michael Jackson in Motown: The Musical, and he showcased those dancing skills during his first audition for Netflix.
When asked about his ambitions, Cruz said, ‘I work hard every day and try to get to a good place in life where I can treat my family and make them proud.’
He later admitted that entertaining has always been his passion and that he would do everything possible to help the band succeed.
Hendrick Christoffersen, who was scouted for the show on TikTok, made an immediate impression the moment he walked into the audition room
Hendrik Christoffersen, 19, from Walsall, Birmingham
Hendrick, who was scouted for the show on TikTok, made an immediate impression the moment he walked into the audition room.
Hailing from Walsall, Birmingham, the same hometown as Pete Waterman, the two instantly connected.
He impressed the judges with his enthusiasm, explaining how much he wanted to be in a group and his commitment to giving the process ‘100 per cent charge.’
Adding to his appeal, he also plays guitar, which he showcased during his first audition.
As a former choir boy, John Fadare showed his versatility by performing There’s Nothing Holding Me Back by Shawn Mendes
John Fadare, 17, from Rochester, Kent
During his first audition, John stood out for his distinctive tone, setting him apart from the other contestants.
As a former choir boy, he showed his versatility by performing There’s Nothing Holding Me Back by Shawn Mendes.
He said: ‘I love sharing music with people and creating it with other people, even my friends, we do concerts and open mic nights with people at school so it’s like that on a larger scale.’
Speaking at the London launch on Tuesday night, John excitedly revealed that the band has been focusing on studio sessions since being signed and have already filmed their first music video.
Aged just 15 when he auditioned, Danny Bretherton impressed the judges of The Next Act with his rendition of Lose Control by Teddy Swims
Danny Bretherton, 17, from Chorley, Lancashire
Aged just 15 when he auditioned, Danny impressed the judges of The Next Act with his rendition of Lose Control by Teddy Swims.
He explained that he dreams of joining Simon’s new band and pursuing music as a career.
Danny also opened up about his struggles at school, revealing that he was expelled three years ago due to behavioral issues and has been working hard to turn his life around.
Half Indian, he was supported by his excited parents, who watched his performance from the sidelines.
Reflecting on his journey, Danny said, ‘I really struggle at school and feel like it’s something I really want to do. Three years ago I got expelled, just behaviour really, and I feel like it took me quite a while to turn it around.’
Josh Olliver stumbled over the lyrics as he performed the Backstreet Boys’ hit As Long as You Love Me, but told the judges that singing for them felt ‘good’
Josh Olliver, 17, from Chorley, Lancashire
Danny’s close friend Josh also took to the stage, though he admitted he struggles with confidence.
The pair, who have been friends for years, briefly faced the possibility of being separated, echoing moments fans often saw on The X Factor.
Josh stumbled over the lyrics as he performed the Backstreet Boys’ hit As Long as You Love Me, but told the judges that singing for them felt ‘good.’
Despite a telling-off for not learning the song thoroughly, his vocal ability impressed Simon enough to advance him through the audition process, ultimately earning him a place in the band alongside Danny.
Irishman Sean Hayden shared with the cameras that he has been singing and playing instruments since he was a young boy, and that pursuing music is his ultimate dream
Sean Hayden, 19, from Dublin, Ireland
Irishman Sean shared with the cameras that he has been singing and playing instruments since he was a young boy, and that pursuing music is his ultimate dream.
During his first audition, he performed Benson Boone’s Beautiful Things, immediately impressing the panel with his vocal range.
Reflecting on his passion, Sean said, ‘I’ve been singing and playing instruments since I was a kid. When people ask, ‘What do you want to do when you’re older?’ a lot of people say they want to make money, have kids, a wife but I have a dream, which is music.
‘If I get the opportunity to live that out, I’m not going to let it slip away from me.’
Pete Waterman told Sean during their first meeting that he wanted to say yes to his audition after just 10 seconds.
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