Pictures: The X Factor judges arrive in Liverpool for this year's .

The X Factor 2011 auditions come to a close this week as the UKs biggest tv show visits Liverpool for the start sentence in its history! With thousands turning up at the Echo Arena on the shore of the Mersey, the judges arrived surprisingly on time for once as Tulisa Contostavlos celebrates her 23rd birthday.

The N-Dubz star already kicked off celebrations late last night with a pre-party along with the shows team and X Factor host Dermot OLeary.

X Factor !011: American singer Kelly Rowland confirmed as .

American pop star Kelly Rowland is to join hit TV show the X Factor.

The singer, 30, is expected to be officially proclaimed as joining the record as a new label in the upcoming days. The conclusion comes just day after Dannii Minogue surprisingly left the hugely popular ITV series.

Today, Miss Rowland expressed her agitation at joining the show.