The TV talent show's 'golden oldies' category is for the over-28s Is 28 the new 65? Quite possibly, according to The X Factor, which for the current series has increased its lower age limit for older solo artists from 25 to 28 – meaning that any pop hopeful born, like me, in 1982, is now basically considered a "golden oldie". You just needed to take one look at judge Louis Walsh's face – ashen ...