As rumours of an X Factor revival continue to swirl, it seems the talent show’s return has been under our noses for months.
Over the weekend, it was reported that the hit ITV singing show will be making a comeback with a brand-new judging panel.
Sources claimed that the broadcaster is keen to fill the ‘giant gaping hole’ left in the entertainment schedule and wants to give The X Factor ‘a modern makeover’.
It’s been seven years since the programme, which catapulted the likes of One Direction and Little Mix to global stardom, went off air, with Simon Cowell ultimately deciding to put it to rest due to declining viewing figures.
But the cogs of the X Factor machine look to be turning once more, as TV bosses appear to have trademarked phrases audiences know and love.
According to The Sun, the reboot has been in the works since December, but anyone in the know has been sworn to secrecy.
A source said: ‘X Factor will be coming back into a whole new arena, where social media is king, memes make money and a viral moment can mean win or lose.
‘Trademarking key phrases is part of that — and Simon’s known for his critiques.
‘Bosses lodged, “It’s a yes from me,” “It’s a no from me,” and “I didn’t like it, I loved it” in December.’
Reality TV’s original Mr Nasty is renowned for using the comments in his feedback to contestants, of course, and insiders say they’ve now been registered by the Intellectual Property Office, preventing others from using them in business.
The latest follows production firm Talkback Thames reportedly holding talks to breathe fresh life into the show, which had over 10 million viewers at its peak in 2010.
However, by 2018, the final audience dropped to just over four million, as viewers began watching clips online rather than tuning in live.
Ultimately, Simon decided to put the format on ice to avoid it becoming stale after 17 years and 15 main seasons.
Still, there’s no denying that, during its heyday, The X Factor dominated the UK music scene, producing success stories such as Leona Lewis, Olly Murs, Alexandra Burke, and JLS.
It also aired two celebrity editions, the first being in 2006, won by Lucy Benjamin, and the last in 2019, with Towie’s Megan McKenna sailing to victory.
Meanwhile, the show’s judging panel was just as star-studded, with the likes of Dannii Minogue, Nicole Scherzinger, Sharon Osbourne, Louis Tomlinson, Rita Ora, and, of course, veteran judge Louis Walsh behind the desk over the years.
As for who might sign up for the reboot, it’s very early days, but fans are throwing names out left, right, and centre for who they want as mentors.
Many are championing Cheryl’s return, while others want those who’ve been through the machine to switch sides and offer their expertise.
‘I personally think it would be a good idea to have someone whose been on X-Factor and gone through the process before and who also knows the industry. I’d in this case go with Jade from LM firstly [sic]’, @MrQuest19 wrote on X.
‘Lowkey would be a pull if they could get Zara Larson or Raye’, said @joey_genesis.
@Coolharry64 wants to see Charli XCX, while @liamandrews123 would ‘love’ to see Fleur East as a judge.
Who do fans want as a judge on the new X Factor?
- Cheryl
- Dannii Minogue
- Sharon Osbourne
- Louis Walsh
- Simon Cowell
- Jessie J
- Cynthia Erivo
- Alan Carr
- Jade
- Leigh-Anne
- Stormzy
- Marisha Wallace
- Zara Larsson
- Niall Horan
- Aitch
- Craig David
- Tom Grennan
‘I would love Marisha Wallace as a judge!’, @camjmes0 tweeted.
@superbardiuk added: ‘I want at least one rapper judge, Stormzy, Tinie Tempah, or Krept’.
Several long-time fans are also backing Jessie J, while ideas for hosts include Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary, who fronted the show from 2007 until the end.
Speaking yesterday about The X Factor’s return, insiders said it’s likely Simon would be back in some capacity, too.
‘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.
‘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 the social media generation.’
ITV has been contacted for comment.