The X Factor is reportedly set to make a return to the UK, eight years after it last aired on ITV in 2019. According to a report, the iconic talent show could be revived by the network as soon as next year, with plans for a modern makeover and a younger judging panel.
Show's History and Peak Popularity
The long-running singing competition originally aired from 2004 until 2019, launching the careers of acts like Leona Lewis, One Direction, and Little Mix, and boosting the profiles of judges including Sharon Osbourne, Louis Walsh, Cheryl Tweedy, and Simon Cowell. At its peak, The X Factor attracted audiences of nearly 20 million viewers.
However, by 2019, interest had waned, and the show was axed following a celebrity version that struggled to attract more than 3 million viewers.
Plans for a Modern Revival
Broadcast bosses are reportedly considering bringing back the show, with a twist: 66-year-old Cowell might not be heavily involved, and the panel could consist of younger music experts. A source told The Sun: "Rather than creating more flop formats they have the opportunity to give The X Factor, a sure-fire hit, a modern makeover."
The source added: "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."
Social Media Strategy and Production Talks
ITV has shown with programmes like Love Island and I’m A Celebrity that social media can inject massive viewing figures, the source said. Talkback Thames, which produced the series, is reportedly in talks with ITV bosses about bringing the show back. The Mirror has contacted representatives at ITV and Talkback Thames for comment.
Simon Cowell has previously expressed enthusiasm about the X Factor being revived in the UK. He told the Tales from the Celebrity Trenches podcast: "Yeah, we talk about it a lot. Do you bring it back as X Factor or do you bring it back as the Z Factor?"
He added: "There’s still no question, the power of TV in terms of getting people to know an artist. It’s so important if you’re not writing your own material. The truth is there’s something about being on a big screen. You hear about these artists who break online, but so rarely. Truth is, I guess, thank God, people like being on TV."
Previous Revival Success and Ratings
ITV has seen success reviving former shows, such as Big Brother, which returned in 2023 after being axed by Channel 5 five years earlier. The revived series pulled in its highest ratings in a decade, attracting over 2.5 million viewers on ITV2. However, ratings dropped to less than one million by the 2025 season. The show is set to return next month for its fourth season in the ITV run, which will be the 23rd season overall since it first aired in 2000.
