Over half a decade after The X Factor vanished from our screens, the hit British reality competition series is reportedly returning to ITV.
The show ran for several successful seasons, launching the careers of stars like Leona Lewis and One Direction, with the judging panel headed by Simon Cowell.
In the last series before it was shelved, Cowell was also joined behind the desk by Louis Tomlinson, Robbie Williams, and his wife Ayda Williams, who replaced longtime judges Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne, who only returned for the live shows.
After going off-air in 2018 and its respective spin-offs wrapping up a year later in 2019, fans have seen neither hide nor hair of the show on screens.
A source has claimed ITV is keen to bring the show back to fill the reality-show-shaped hole in its programming left hollow by the cancellation of series like Fortune Hotel and The Neighbourhood.
If it were to return, Cowell would likely come back in some capacity, the insider further claims.
‘ITV have a giant gaping hole that needs filling in its entertainment schedule, particularly over weekends when bigger viewing figures are up for grabs.
‘ITV can’t afford another disaster after the car crash of The Neighbourhood, which was colossally expensive and failed terribly. Rather than creating more flop formats they have the opportunity to give The X Factor, a sure-fire hit, a modern makeover.
‘They can explore a younger, fresher panel, with new faces and have Cowell behind the scenes. The plan is for the show’s return to take on a new life and be updated to envelop social media generation,’ a source told The Sun.
Other celebrities who have had a stint on the show have included Dannii Minogue, Nicole Scherzinger, Cheryl, Gary Barlow and Rita Ora, but it’s unclear if any would return for the revamped version.
The news of a potential reboot comes just months after Sky confirmed it was making a ‘premium, definitive documentary series exploring the era-defining entertainment juggernaut, The X Factor.’
Once more, Cowell appears to be on board, and Walsh has also confirmed he’ll contribute.
He also reflected on his co-star’s knowledge of the voting system.
Ray Foley on Today FM clarified: ‘Even as a judge he knew exactly what was going on? The way the votes were going and all?’
To which Walsh responded: ‘Course he knew yeah. And he was great to work with, he was fantastic.’
