X Factor insider: ‘It would be a shame to bring back Poundland version of show’

An X Factor insider has revealed what could stand in the way of the iconic talent show’s reboot.

Last weekend, it was reported that Simon Cowell’s ITV singing competition would be returning, seven years after its axe.

The programme had a strong run for 15 main seasons, attracting over 10 million viewers in its heyday and catapulting One Direction, Leona Lewis, and Olly Murs to superstardom.

Alas, ratings eventually declined to less than half that figure, and music mogul Cowell, 66, concluded it was best to lay it to rest.

Now that rumours are swirling of a revival, bosses face a mammoth task, as creator Cowell, who owns the format, has ‘high standards’ that must be met.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, an insider has explained the judge is ‘very proud’ of the success stories his show created, from Little Mix, who became one of the world’s biggest girl groups, to JLS, who had five number one singles.

Therefore, he reckons ‘it would be a shame to undermine it all by bringing a Poundland version of The X Factor back’.

But that’s not the only thing threatening to thwart The X Factor’s new era before it’s even started.

Money, money, money

When The X Factor was at its peak, ITV was also making big bucks in advertising, which is reportedly no longer the case.

So while the network could afford the £1million it is said to have cost to create each live episode, that may prove a challenge today.

Therefore, there’d be a ‘huge reduction in costs’, since ‘ITV doesn’t have the money it used to have’, much like other terrestrial broadcasters.

The insider predicts that a revival ‘would have half of the old sum, if not less’, and would ultimately ‘struggle to make a big-budget show now’.

As for how pounds could be saved, it’s anticipated that the new show could comprise fewer live episodes and more pre-recorded room auditions, both of which are cheaper to get on air.

Still, there are said to be ‘big disagreements’ between ITV, Cowell’s team, and the production company Talkback Thames, who are yet to finalise the fee ITV will pay for the broadcast, half of which would go into Cowell’s pocket.

Irrespective of budgets, though, it’s said that Cowell will ‘not allow it to be made cheaply,’ as, being a perfectionist, he has ‘far too much pride to do that’.

Simon Cowell’s high standards

Cowell signed many winners and runners-up from the show to his label, Syco Music, such as James Arthur, Fleur East, Rebecca Ferguson, Cher Lloyd… and even Honey G for a period.

So it’s fair to say he was intrinsically intertwined with the format from beginning to end, and that hasn’t changed, as he still ‘holds the keys’… which could prove a problem.

‘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,’ the insider states.

Cowell, who mentored first-ever winner Steve Brookstein, also doesn’t want to ‘cut corners’ just for it to be able to happen, even though there would need to be ‘compromises’.

That said, he won’t be taking centre stage this time, it’s been claimed, as he ‘doesn’t want to be a judge’ again.

Instead, he’d rather do a second Netflix series, having formed new boyband December 10 last year on Simon Cowell: The Next Act.

‘He could play some role on the show given how much he has learnt about appealing to the younger audience from work with December 10,’ the insider muses. ‘Its success has convinced Simon that real talent can still be found on shows like this.’

The loss of Cheryl

The X Factor saw many judges sit behind the table over the years, with the original line-up comprising Cowell, Sharon Osbourne, and veteran panellist Louis Walsh.

Latter years even saw 1D star Louis Tomlinson take on a judging role, while Robbie Williams and his wife, Ayda Field, are said to have been paid up to £10m for their joint stints.

However, there’s one name on everyone’s lips when asked who they want to return.

Cheryl was a judge from 2008 to 2010 and won twice back-to-back with her acts Alexandra Burke and Joe McElderry. She returned for two more seasons from 2014 to 2016, then left permanently.

The Girls Aloud pop star’s popularity on the programme, especially during her first run, can’t be understated, as she provided some of its most memorable moments and solo performances of her own.

Therefore, some people are said to be ‘very irked’ that she’s reportedly been in talks to join The Voice UK as a coach, suggesting she’s a big loss for the revival.

‘Even though she has been out of the limelight for a long time, she’s a national treasure; people love her,’ the source says.

Meanwhile, ITV and Talkback Thames are said to be at loggerheads, as ITV is ‘beyond obsessed’ with influencers (hence KSI becoming a permanent Britain’s Got Talent judge), but Talkback wants the judges to remain ‘traditional celebrities’.

The Voice competition

And it’s not just Cheryl making The Voice an issue, as the insider claims the fellow ITV show has ‘always been a thorn in The X Factor’s side’.

Launched in 2012 as the international franchise expanded, its coaching line-up now consists of Danny Jones, Tom Fletcher, will.i.am, Kelly Rowland, and Sir Tom Jones.

In 2015, it was confirmed that The Voice would be moving from the BBC to ITV, creating stiff competition for The X Factor, as things became ‘very vicious’.

The insider claims The X Factor ‘used The Voice as a stick to beat ITV with to get more money’.

And while money may create difficult conversations now for the revival, it sounds like Cowell is still confident that The X Factor can outshine The Voice once more, as a source heavily connected to the former asks, ‘Can you name one winner?’

Ultimately, it sounds like Cowell, ITV, and co. will have to overcome several hurdles before The X Factor can light up our living rooms once more.

ITV and Talkback Thames have been contacted for comment.