X Factor ‘AXED’ after 17 years as ‘Simon Cowell pulls plug on talent show’
X Factor ‘AXED’ after 17 years! Simon Cowell ‘pulls plug’ on ITV talent show because he doesn’t want it to ‘become a bit of a joke’
X Factor has reportedly been axed after 17 years.
Simon Cowell, 61, is said to have pulled the plug on the ITV talent show – which launched in 2004 and last aired in 2018 – because he doesn’t want it to ‘become a bit of a joke.’
While around the world the format is still successful, it seems that the music mogul has accepted that in the UK ‘it has become slightly stale’ and so has decided to ‘shelve it’ for five years, but sources are claiming it’s now ‘unlikely’ to ever return.
What!? X Factor has reportedly been axed after 17 years (Simon Cowell, 61, Pictured in 2017)
A show insider told The Sun: ‘Globally, it is still a phenomenon and rakes in millions every year. But in the UK, there is no question it has become slightly stale.
‘Simon remains at the top of his game and knows how to make a hit. He owns the rights to the show, and it’s his call — not ITV’s — whether or not he drops it.
‘Clearly the last thing he wants is for X Factor to fizzle out with a whimper and become a bit of a joke — especially in contrast to the show in its pomp.’
The source explained that there is the option for Simon to return the talent show in 2023, which would see auditions take place next summer, however the entrepreneur is thought to be focused on his new game show Walk The Line.
MailOnline has contacted Fremantle for comment.
Why? Simon is said to have pulled the plug on the ITV talent show – which launched in 2004 – because he doesn’t want it to ‘become a bit of a joke’ (Picturded in 2005 with judges Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh)
Businessman: While around the world the format is still successful, it seems that the music mogul has accepted that in the UK ‘it has become slightly stale’ (Pictured in 2019)
In March, Dermot O’Leary, 47, told new! magazine of the X Factor: ‘I can’t see it coming back this year. If it does come back, it’ll be 2022 – maybe 2023.’
The presenter admitted he is missing filming the show, which launched in 2004, adding: ‘You do miss it, definitely. You work with people for the best part of 10 years and you become a really tight team.
‘And you do miss the buzz of a Saturday night show. There’s something great about it.’
The father-of-one has hosted the show since 2007, taking over from former host Kate Thornton, who was presenter from 2004–2006.
Keeping his options open: Simon has reportedly decided to ‘shelve it’ for five years, but sources are claiming it’s now ‘unlikely’ to ever return (Pictured in 2019)
Iconic: Simon launched X Factor in in 2004 and last aired in 2018
Dermot has hosted every series since, aside from in 2015 where he was replaced with former contestant Olly Murs and the late Love Island presenter Caroline Flack.
Its last traditional series of X Factor to air was back in 2018, with judges Simon, Louis Tomlinson, Robbie Williams and his wife Ayda Field on the judging panel.
Dalton Harris, mentored by former One Direction star Louis, won the series, with Scarlett finishing in second place and Anthony Russell taking third.
Original series: Its last traditional series to air on ITV was back in 2018, where Louis Tomlinson (R) won the series with his act Dalton Harris
Winner: Simon brought one-off series The X Factor: Celebrity to screens in 2019, which was won by Megan McKenna who then landed a record contract with Simon’s music label Syco
Simon then brought one-off series The X Factor: Celebrity to screens in 2019, which saw famous faces showcase their vocal talents.
Megan McKenna was crowned the winner of the show and landed a record contract with Simon’s major music label, Syco.
The X Factor was then halted in 2020 when coronavirus hit, rendering it impossible to produce the show, which involves mass gatherings for open public auditions.
Farewell for now: In March, Dermot O’Leary, (right), hinted The X Factor may not return until 2023, saying: ‘If it does come back, it’ll be 2022 – maybe 2023’
While it’s produced huge stars like 1D, Little Mix, Olly Murs and James Arthur, The X Factor has arguably taking a hit in ratings over the last few years.
X Factor was hit by its lowest ever ratings when the Celebrity series aired its first live show earlier this year.
The ITV series recorded just 2.96 million viewers at one point, and by the last 15 minutes of the Celebrity special, just 2.99 million viewers were left.
Even with a 3.73 million peak, the ratings paled in comparison to the average viewing figures of 14.13 million that the show pulled in at its prime in 2010.
It marked the lowest ratings since the franchise began in 2004, but sources claim The X Factor still remains the highest watched show for 16 to 34 year olds.
The apparent decision to axe the show comes hot on the heels of former contestants hitting out against the British music industry for ‘exploiting’ and treating them like ‘cattle’ since their overnight rise to fame.
Rebecca Ferguson, 35, has called for an urgent parliamentary inquiry to help protect young and emerging artists and an independent tribunal to hold those responsible for poor treatment within the industry to account.
Her fellow contestant Cher Lloyd, 27, and double act Jedward, both 29, who appeared on the show the previous year, have also hit out at the industry and claimed they were also poorly treated.
Biggest winners: One Direction came third on the X-Factor in 2010 but are by far the most successful act to emerge from the show
One Direction, made up of Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik went on an indefinite hiatus at the peak of their success in 2016.
Jesy Nelson has recently quit girl band Little Mix to help her mental health after the pressure of being in the group started to take its ‘toll’ on her.
While some X Factor stars went on to earn millions in the spotlight, many of the show’s winners have failed or been dumped from their record labels as their careers floundered.
History makers: Little Mix were crowned the winners of The X Factor in 2011 when they become the first band to ever win the show in its history
Huge success: JLS came second in 2008, but went on to make the most money, selling more than 10million records
