Simon Cowell ‘plans to replace X Factor with a CELEBRITY version’

Simon Cowell ‘plans to replace X Factor with a CELEBRITY version in an attempt to create Strictly Come Dancing with singers’

Simon Cowell is reportedly in talks with ITV, with the aim of replacing the X Factor as we know it, with a celebrity version.

According to reports, the music mogul, 59, is determined to ‘freshen up’ the singing competition, by casting a range of stars in an attempt to create ‘Strictly Come Dancing with singers.’

The X Factor will reportedly implement the changes for the upcoming series of the show, with soap actors, newsreaders and comedians being brought on board in the hope of improving viewing figures.

Huge change: Big change: Simon Cowell is reportedly in talks with ITV with the aim of replacing the X Factor as we know it, with a celebrity version

A source told the Daily Star newspaper: ‘The decision has been made to drop X Factor in its current form. It has been 100% axed. The show is done.

It’s being replaced by a show that’ll only be for celebrities. Members of the public won’t get to take part. So viewers won’t see new talent being discovered anymore. It’s the end of an era.’   


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The new format – which is still being discussed – has reportedly been described as ‘Strictly Come Dancing with singers’. 

A source told The Mirror: ‘Imagine Strictly but with singers. That’s the plan being talked about at present. There is no doubt the X Factor format needs freshening up – this is it.’  

Strictly style? According to a report, the music mogul is determined to ‘freshen up’ the singing competition, by casting a range of stars in an attempt to create ‘Strictly with singers’ (Pictured: Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton, winning Strictly Come Dancing 2018)

A man with a plan? A source told The Mirror: ‘Imagine Strictly but with singers. That’s the plan being talked about at present’

Celebrity focus: A source told the publication: ‘Bradley Walsh was the biggest selling artist of 2016. They could find a similar type of celebrity not known for their musical skills – and make them even more of a star’ (Pictured: Bradley Walsh on The Chase in July 2017)

More reports: A source told the Daily Star newspaper: ‘The decision has been made to drop X Factor in its current form. It has been 100% axed. The show is done’

Another source told the publication: ‘Bradley Walsh was the biggest selling artist of 2016. They could find a similar type of celebrity not known for their musical skills – and make them even more of a star.’ 

In November 2016, Coronation Street actor Bradley released his debut album, consisting of covers of well-known jazz hits. 

It became the biggest-selling debut album by a British artist in 2016, selling 111,650 copies. 

Celeb-only: ‘Members of the public won’t get to take part. So viewers won’t see new talent being discovered anymore. It’s the end of an era,’ said the insider 

Decline in ratings: The X Factor’s 2018 viewing figures dropped to the lowest since the ITV show’s launch in 2004. The 2018 series featured new judges Robbie Williams, Ayda Field and Louis Tomlinson, as well as show boss Simon Cowell

The Mirror’s report also claims that within the next series, there will be a separate X Factor champions segment – featuring stars from X Factor shows around the world. 

MailOnline has contacted The X Factor and Simon Cowell’s representatives for comment.   

The show’s reported major revamp comes after 2018’s viewing figures dropped to lowest since the show’s launch in 2004  

The X Factor returned in 2018 with a total of 5.7 million viewers – down 500,000 on 2017’s initial auditions show. 

Still taking the crown: Nevertheless, The X Factor initial audition show remained the most watched programme on TV on Saturday night across all channels and was watched by 5.7 million people

Despite the dip in ratings, however, The X Factor’s initial audition show remained the most watched programme on TV on Saturday night across all channels. 

Ratings don’t take into account viewers who watch The X Factor via repeats, online and on mobile – and the launch show pulled in a staggering 5 billion viewers on YouTube. 

It launched with 5.7 million viewers and a 34 per cent share of viewing, up by two share points on last year’s launch. 

The episode peaked with 6.3 million viewers, a 3 per cent share, and had a 48 per cent share of 16-34s viewing. 

Before it’s 2018 return, ITV boss Kevin Lygo defended the show’s declining ratings – explaining it still remains one of the most watched programmes on TV. 

He said: ‘X Factor, more than any other show, it’s been running a long time, ratings have been going down a bit, but it’s still…

‘The idea that you could launch a new show today that is as big as X Factor is now, I mean, our job is to keep it young, keep it good, keep it fresh.’   

Tuning in: It launched with 5.7million viewers and a 34 per cent share of viewing, up by two share points on its 2017 launch

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