<P> The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent . The third series was broadcast on ITV from 19 August 2006 until 16 December 2006 . Louis Walsh , Sharon Osbourne and Simon Cowell all returned for their third series on the judging panel . Kate Thornton returned to present the main show on ITV , while Peter Drury returned to present spin - off show The Xtra Factor on ITV2 . After the semi-final on 9 December , Cowell became the winning judge even though the series had not yet finished , as two of his acts , Ray Quinn and Leona Lewis , became the two finalists . Lewis won the series on 16 December , with Quinn finishing as runner - up . </P>
<P> The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent . The third series was broadcast on ITV from 19 August 2006 until 16 December 2006 . Louis Walsh , Sharon Osbourne and Simon Cowell all returned for their third series on the judging panel . Kate Thornton returned to present the main show on ITV , while Peter Drury returned to present spin - off show The Xtra Factor on ITV2 . After the semi-final on 9 December , Cowell became the winning judge even though the series had not yet finished , as two of his acts , Ray Quinn and Leona Lewis , became the two finalists . Lewis won the series on 16 December , with Quinn finishing as runner - up . </P>
british singer who won the third series of the x factor in 2006
british singer who won the third series of the x factor in 2006
Leona Lewis
Leona Lewis