The X Factor Live Tour 2008, sponsored by Carphone Warehouse, kicks off at the Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle, on Saturday, February 16.

The 2007 series is already the most exciting TV story of the year, pulling in more than 11 million viewers every Saturday night.

Tickets for the live tour have sold out in the three previous years, and this one is expected to prove no exception.

The 12 finalists from this year's show will be the stars of the 2008 live show.

Last year, winner Leona Lewis took centre stage after smashing worldwide download records, selling 50,000 copies of her debut single A Moment Like This within 30 minutes of winning X Factor.

The single sold more than 600,000 copies in its first week of release, making her the biggest-selling female debut artist of all time.

Other stars of the 2007 live shows included Ray Quinn, whose debut album made No 1 in April, Top 10-selling Ben Mills and other finalists
including Ashley McKenzie, Eton Road and The MacDonald brothers.

Tickets for the X Factor Live Tour 2008, priced £26 plus the usual booking fees, go on sale at 9am tomorrow from the Arena box office on 0870 707 8000.