Tensions flared between contestants as The X Factor’s super-sized boot camp got under way at a country house location in Hertfordshire.

For the last three years, this stage of the ITV singing competition has put auditionees through the dreaded Six Chair Challenge held at Wembley in order to cut down the numbers.

However, boot camp has previously been notorious for hopefuls getting up to all kinds of antics in the country, including partying and fighting.

More hopefuls at X Factor's boot camp
More hopefuls at X Factor’s boot camp (ITV Pictures)

The move back to a more rural setting is seen as a ploy to increase ratings, and it has apparently paid off as the stress of impressing judges Simon Cowell, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, Nick Grimshaw and Rita Ora sparked tears, arguments and drinking.

In tonight’s episode, viewers will see 25-year-old Monica Michael clash with fellow hopeful Princess Diamond.

The contestants had to split into groups comprised of the four categories: Groups, Overs, Boys and Girls before choosing a song to perform to the panel.

“You all got together, any arguments?” Cowell asked the ladies before him.

Princess Diamond surprised everyone when she immediately complained about the youth worker. “Monica came to me all up in my face for no reason,” she said.

Michael hit back: “We’re rehearsing and there’s gaps because we’re waiting for her. Obviously, it’s a team effort right now so we’re running around trying to babysit her and it’s just frustrating.”

The row between the two women is then detailed in a flashback sequence which ends with Princess Diamond walking off on her own after accusing Michael of having “too much attitude”.

The girls try to put their differences aside when they perform Blank Space by Taylor Swift for the judging panel.

Ryan Ruckledge at boot camp
Ryan Ruckledge at boot camp (ITV Pictures)

Elsewhere, Blackpool’s Ryan Ruckledge, who had previously auditioned for The X Factor in 2013, threw a hissy fit over the song choice of Anything Can Happen by Ellie Goulding.

He annoyed the other people in his group with his prima donna behaviour.

“I don’t hate the competition. I just hate the song,” the 22-year-old said before heading to the free bar and asking for the strongest vodka and orange.

“I am feeling double-stressed. I’m having to have a bottle of wine and a beer and some doubles,” he said. Later on, he jumped into a pool to sober up.

X Factor's Caroline Flack and Olly Murs
X Factor’s Caroline Flack and Olly Murs (ITV Pictures)

Boot camp is taking place over five Sundays to avoid the Rugby World Cup and this first instalment will also focus on church singer Jennifer Phillips and Tina Tuner sound-alike Bupsi from the Overs; London Community Choir members Bekln and Silver Tone from the Groups; Stephanie Beeby and dentist receptionist Lauren Murray from the Girls and charismatic Australian Sean Miley Moore and 21-year-old Mason Noise from the Boys.

But even after this country house stage, boot camp is not over as the acts will then face the emotionally-gruelling Six Chair Challenge to win a place at Judges’ Houses.

The first episode of boot camp airs tonight at 7pm on ITV.