The X Factor is reportedly returning to ITV after more than half a decade off-air, with plans for a younger, fresher judging panel and Simon Cowell possibly moving behind the scenes.
The British reality competition series ran for several successful seasons, launching the careers of stars such as Leona Lewis and One Direction, with Cowell heading the judging panel. In its final series before being shelved, Cowell was joined by Louis Tomlinson, Robbie Williams, and Ayda Williams, who replaced longtime judges Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne, with Osbourne returning only for the live shows.
ITV seeks to fill schedule gap
After going off-air in 2018 and its spin-offs wrapping up a year later in 2019, the show has been absent from screens. A source has claimed ITV is keen to bring it back to fill the reality-show-shaped hole left by the cancellation of series like Fortune Hotel and The Neighbourhood.
The insider told The Sun: '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.'
New direction with social media focus
According to the source, the plan is for the show's return to take on a new life and be updated to envelop the social media generation. 'They can explore a younger, fresher panel, with new faces and have Cowell behind the scenes,' the source added.
Other celebrities who have had a stint on the show include Dannii Minogue, Nicole Scherzinger, Cheryl, Gary Barlow, and Rita Ora, but it is unclear if any would return for the revamped version.
The news of a potential reboot comes months after Sky confirmed it was making a 'premium, definitive documentary series exploring the era-defining entertainment juggernaut, The X Factor.' Cowell appears to be on board, and Walsh has confirmed he will contribute.
Walsh also reflected on Cowell's knowledge of the voting system, saying: 'Cowell knew it all.' When asked by Ray Foley on Today FM whether Cowell knew exactly what was going on with the votes, Walsh responded: 'Course he knew yeah. And he was great to work with, he was fantastic.'
Metro has reached out to ITV for comment.
