ITV has put the brakes on a long-rumoured reboot of The X Factor, as network executives decide the time is not right to resurrect Simon Cowell’s flagship singing competition.
The decision comes after months of speculation that ITV1 was preparing to bring back the iconic talent show in a bid to reverse its declining Saturday night ratings. While the channel comfortably dominated weekend television during the peak of the reality competition era, recent figures paint a far quieter picture. The 2026 final of The Voice UK managed just 1.5 million viewers—its lowest-ever audience—while less than one million tuned in live to the game show Win Win.
According to The Mirror, talkbackThames had been actively pushing for a revival—including a return for head judge Simon Cowell—eight years after the original format went off the air in 2018. However, insiders say ITV has formally stalled talks and ruled out a return anytime within the next few years.
“They are always pitching it, and everyone is well aware of Simon’s desire to bring it back—he’s incredibly keen,” a source revealed. “But right now, the time is not right. Eight years doesn’t feel like a long enough break for The X Factor. If ITV does decide to reboot it, it will be a way off yet.”
A Legacy of Chart-Topping Superstars
At its height, The X Factor was an undeniable cultural juggernaut that reshaped the global music landscape. For over a decade, the show launched some of the biggest pop acts of the 21st century.
- One Direction: Assembled on the show in 2010 after finishing in third place, the group became one of the best-selling boy bands of all time.
- Leona Lewis: The 2006 winner became a global chart-topper with her smash single Bleeding Love, earning multi-platinum sales around the world.
- Little Mix: The four-piece made history in 2011 as the first group to win the show, going on to achieve multiple UK Number 1 singles and international arena tours.
- Olly Murs, JLS, & Alexandra Burke: Each became household names with string-after-string of platinum albums, prime-time television hosting gigs, and West End leading roles.
Shadowed by Duty of Care Controversies
While The X Factor delivered unmatched star power, its potential return carries significant baggage. In recent years, former contestants have spoken out about the psychological toll of appearing on the series and alleged mistreatment by producers.
Insiders acknowledge that any future revival would require a complete top-to-bottom overhaul of the show’s duty of care protocols—a factor that would significantly inflate production costs on a format that is already expensive to make.
Katie Waissel, who featured in the infamous 2010 series alongside One Direction and Cher Lloyd, has been one of the show’s most vocal critics. Waissel revealed she suffered panic attacks during her time on screen and later detailed allegations of sexual assault by a crew member years after her appearance. Waissel has since retrained as a lawyer, using her platform to fight for stronger legal protections and mental health safeguards for reality TV contestants.
Her 2010 co-star Rebecca Ferguson, who finished as runner-up that year, has similarly exposed what she described as systemic bullying, coercion, and exploitative contracts within the talent show ecosystem. Ferguson has campaigned relentlessly for a parliamentary inquiry into the music industry, calling on lawmakers to protect young artists from predatory management structures and unsafe workplace conditions.
What Lies Ahead for ITV’s Saturday Night?
With The X Factor firmly back in the vault for the foreseeable future, ITV faces a strategic crossroads for its weekend schedule.
The broadcaster has recently leaned heavily into nostalgic game show reboots—such as Big Brother, Bullseye, and Wheel of Fortune—to shore up its viewing figures. However, replacing the cultural footprint and live social-media engagement once generated by The X Factor remains a formidable challenge.
For now, TV bosses are opting to trial fresh formats rather than rely on past successes. As one network insider noted: “The days of these shows regularly drawing tens of millions of viewers are long gone. We’re continuing to try new concepts—and as long as they’re good, we don’t mind taking a few risks along the way.”