It has been nearly seven years since The X Factor left the TV spotlight, but the show once dominated Saturday night viewing in the UK. Headed by Simon Cowell, it discovered stars like One Direction, Little Mix, and Olly Murs, and made celebrities of judges including Cheryl, Louis Walsh, and Dannii Minogue.
At its peak, the show drew 17.7 million viewers for Matt Cardle's win, and 12.8 million watched Britney Spears perform in 2008. Contestants became instant celebrities, but in later years, former participants like Janet Devlin and Katie Waissel spoke out about negative impacts on their mental health. Liam Payne's death in October 2024, more than a decade after his X Factor appearance, also cast a shadow.
Celebrity PR specialist Kayley Cornelius said: "X Factor was the perfect storm of Saturday night TV. It had this magic formula where ordinary people with raw talent could be turned into overnight stars." However, she noted that the format grew tired, and social media's rise, along with former contestants' negative experiences, led to its decline.
Meanwhile, Strictly Come Dancing, which debuted in 2004, has become the Christmas staple, with 9.6 million viewers watching Chris McCausland's win last year. But the show has faced scandals including injuries, sexism, bullying, and misconduct. Cornelius warned that Strictly could face a similar fate if it does not address these issues, as its family-friendly reputation has been dented.
