It looks like The X Factor has caught Game of Thrones fever in the first promo clip for this year's highly anticipated series.

No expense has been spared on the trailer, which sees judges Cheryl Cole, Simon Cowell, Mel B and Louis Walsh each leading an army of hopefuls into battle.

Mel B shouts: "Things are about to get loud."

While show boss SiCo declares: "It's time to get down to business."

And the one-minute promo ends with the armies charging towards one another to do battle, with the camera panning out to reveal them making an "X" pattern from above.

The promo's release coincides with the start of the show's arena auditions - held at London's Wembley Arena.

And SiCo has been praising his new colleagues on Twitter, writing: "Cheryl is the happiest I have ever seen her. Her new husband is a great guy.

"Mel B is a total star. She flew in from New York last night. No sleep. And totally on it. She is a revelation."