A new ‘frontrunner’ is reportedly being eyed up as the host of ITV’s rumoured X Factor reboot.
It was revealed last month that a revitalised version of the singing competition is in the works.
While it’s expected that head honcho Simon Cowell will be back in some capacity – alongside a ‘fresh judging panel’ – it’s not yet known who would host the show.
In its original iteration, The X Factor was hosted by Kate Thornton from 2004-2006, followed by Dermot O’Leary (2007-2014), Caroline Flack and Olly Murs (2015), and Dermot O’Leary… again (2016-2018).
According to sources, Love Island host Maya Jama, 32, has emerged as favourite to host the show when it returns.
An insider also claims that Simon, 66, who worked with Maya on his 2021 reality competition Walk The Line, ‘rates’ the star highly.
An insider told The Sun: ‘Maya is perfect for the reboot as she would bring a fresh young audience as well as energy.
‘She has plenty of experience hosting live shows and is one of the hottest talents on telly right now. Plus she loves music and really knows her stuff.
‘The X Factor want to appeal the show to younger viewers and they feel Maya’s Love Island hosting and her huge following make her an ideal candidate.’
They described Maya as being ‘really busy’ with her acting career (which includes series two of The Gentlemen for Netflix), but was confident that she’d ‘make space’ in her schedule, should the right opportunity arise.
However, according to the tabloid’s source, Maya’s name is not the only one in contention.
They named former contestant Rylan Clark as another possibility, as well as Dermot, 53, for the ‘nostalgia’ factor.
With talk of an X-Factor reboot being on everyone’s lips, Dermot looked visibly uncomfortable when pressed whether he’d be taking part.
After claiming to know nothing about the show’s comeback, he was put on the backfoot when cornered by Susanna Reid on Good Morning Britain.
‘Do people ring you and say, “We’re going to relaunch The X Factor but you’re too old to present it?”’ she asked him.
‘No… no one’s told me that!’ he laughed nervously.
A ‘brutal’ question, perhaps, but it did get him talking about the show’s return.
He continued: ‘It’s six years since it was on air which doesn’t sound like that much of a long time, but the world has changed and the music’s changed, and how we communicate and how we watch things has changed so much in those six years.
‘I’m fascinated as to what they’ll do if they do bring it back. It’d have to be, in many ways, a very different show [but] you still want the nostalgia of how it was in the first place.’
Airing from 2004 to 2018, The X Factor was responsible for launching some of the biggest names in UK music.
This included Leona Lewis, Olly Murs, Ella Henderson and One Direction… even if they ultimately came in third place behind Rebecca Ferguson and eventual winner Matt Cardle.
By its final series, viewing figures had dwindled to 4 million, although the format was always unlikely to stay buried for long.
A source previously told The Sun: ‘ITV have a giant gaping hole that needs filling in its entertainment schedule, particularly over weekends when bigger viewing figures are up for grabs.
Adding that the broadcaster was keen for another hit after recent flops like The Neighbourhood, the source added: ‘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 social media generation.’
However, a source has since claimed that Simon is wary of relaunching the show, suggesting he fears it becoming a ‘Poundland version’ of what it once was.
‘The X Factor cannot come back without his blessing, and if it isn’t going to be up to his high standards, then it won’t happen,’ an insider told Daily Mail.
It’s also claimed that he ‘doesn’t want to judge again,’ and would rather work on a second series of his Netflix show, Simon Cowell: The Next Act.
‘Its success has convinced Simon that real talent can still be found on shows like this,’ the insider finished.
Metro has contacted ITV and Maya Jama’s representatives for comment on this story.