The X Factor has been axed from ITV’s programming after nearly two decades on the air.
The talent show that saw Louis Walsh and Sharon Osborne join Simon as judges in the first season of the show, back in 2004 has reportedly been cancelled by Simon Cowell after 17 years.
For a few years now, the show had been on a hiatus, since The Sun announced that X-Factor was going on a break for at least five years.
A source 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.
“It is still on the back-burner and there’s the option to return it in 2023, with auditions next summer, but a lot will ride on his new format Walk The Line.”
A spokesperson for ITV told Heart.co.uk: “There are no current plans for the next series of The X Factor at this stage.”
The X Factor had more than 14 million viewers at its peak, but according to reports that number has been steadily declining in recent years.
Former host Dermot O’Leary previously stated that he wasn’t sure if it was the best decision to bring the show back since being ‘rested’ in 2019.
He said to the Radio Times: “I’m in two minds, because half of me thinks there’s a reason why we rested it, because we were doing the same thing but then again, there is a real sense of simplicity to that show I love, which is great singers and great characters,”
“It’s a celebration of British eccentricity! Let’s just get them out there and see where we end up.”
The aforementioned ‘Walk The Line’ will reportedly see a variety of solo or musical groups compete for money and prizes from a panel of musical professionals.
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