According to those "in the know", the ITV reality singing competition could be about to return to screens.
The singing competition that discovered the likes of One Direction, Little Mix, Leona Lewis and James Arthur could be about to make a comeback. Yep, 'The X Factor' has been eyed for a return.
The Mirror reports that music mogul Simon Cowell is about to revive the series after five years of it being off our screens, aiming for a 2023 release. But is five years enough time for us to forget why we began turning off? Probably not.
The singing competition began all the way back in 2004, with Steve Brookstein being crowned the series' first winner. TV viewers endured 15 seasons altogether, first becoming a smash hit for ITV as all of the UK and Ireland became hooked on the celebrity cameos, the gossip between the judges, hilariously deranged contestants, and of course Louis Walsh's favouritism of anyone Irish (*cough* Jedward).
The series hit its peak around 2010 after Matt Cardle walked away with the win over Rebecca Ferguson, which was also the final year that Cheryl Cole and Danii Minogue were on the judging panel. Following numerous changes in judges, format and hosts, the most recent season aired in 2018 with the lowest-ever ratings. Just in case you didn't know, Dalton Harris is the current reigning winner.
Interest in the show began to wane when year after year, the winning contestant was almost always guaranteed the Christmas number one spot with their winning single. In 2009, a campaign was launched to get Rage Against The Machine's 'Killing In The Name' to number one - which did actually happen, with the 1992 release beating Joe McElderry's 'The Climb' in the UK ('The X Factor' winner still got to number one in Ireland, however).
But this time around, Simon Cowell is shopping his singing competition format to other broadcasters; 'The X Factor', should it return, might not be on ITV, as the Syco Entertainment boss is believed to be meeting with other TV channels.
According to the rumours, reports that Simon wants to "recapture the magic" of the show from its early days, with more of a focus on the competition element of the show "rather than the razzle dazzle".
Well, if it means we get more moments like this, then yes please.
