The date is 12 December 2010, and X Factor finalists Matt Cardle and Rebecca Ferguson are waiting on stage with bated breath to see who will be crowned the winner.
Everyone watching knows that one act is about to embark on a long and fruitful music career, touring the world in private jets and having adoring fans buckling at the knees at the mere mention of their name. However, chances are we all had our money on it being the act that was actually to win the competition, rather than the one that came third.
Yes, Matt Cardle may have taken the competition crown, but seven years later, the lads of One Direction are the clear winners. The chart-topping boy band - who are currently on hiatus - have five platinum albums under their collective belt, along with four UK number ones, an award catalogue that reads like, well, an award catalogue, and some of the most devoted fans since Beatlemania gripped the planet.
In comparison, it may seem as though actual winner Matt Cardle drifted into obscurity after his obligatory massive Christmas single. However, while he may not have been as visible in the charts as his X Factor pals, Matt was still more than active in his music.
In the years that have passed since he took first place, the 34-year-old singer has churned out three studio albums, one live album, toured the UK and Ireland heavily and still has legions of loyal fans.
"I have fans all over the place," Cardle said in an interview with The Tab. "I regularly get tweets of support from people in Mexico, Portugal, Poland, asking me to go out there. I do speak a tiny little bit of French."
It's possible that 2018 could be the year that Matt makes a return to the spotlight. With One Direction out of action until further notice and a new album slated for release in the first half of the year, the timing seems right for the X Factor winner to hit the charts again.
While he's still friendly with the 1D boys, judging by his comments from a couple of years back, he's probably glad they decided to take a break.
"I think they deserve a break," he explained on Lorraine. "They've been working tirelessly for five years. They just haven't stopped. Why not take a break?
"I met those boys when they were aged 16 - 19. They need chance to just chill out and be kids again for a bit.
"I'm still in touch with them all. Harry is great."
Featured Image Credit: ITVTopics: uk tv, UK Entertainment, x factor