The X Factor won’t return in 2020 as Simon Cowell decides to ‘rest show for a year’ following spin-off series
- Simon Cowell has decided to ‘rest’ the series for 2020
- Fans saw two-spin off series of The X Factor air in 2019; X Factor: Celebrity won by Megan McKenna and X Factor: The Band won by girlband Real Like You
- The X Factor is contracted for one more series by ITV
- It’s said the show, which has run for 16 years on ITV, will return in 2021 instead
The X Factor reportedly won’t return for another series in 2020.
Insiders at ITV have revealed that Simon Cowell has made the decision to ‘rest’ the talent series for 12 months, meaning its usual competition won’t return to screens until 2021.
The X Factor is contracted for one more series, but head boss Simon feels it’s the ‘right time’ to put the show on a one-year break, so future series can benefit.
Taking a break: The X Factor reportedly won’t return in 2020, as Simon Cowell (pictured above with Robbie Williams, Ayda Field and Louis Tomlinson) has decided to ‘rest show for 12 months’
Sources told The Sun: ‘Simon wants to really think through the show and how to reinvigorate it for the future.
‘Although The X Factor is contracted for one more series, ITV totally understand the rationale behind the idea of resting it this year and want to give Simon and the team the time to do what they feel is right.’
MailOnline has contacted a spokesperson for ITV and a representative for Simon Cowell for comment.
It comes after Simon brought two spin-off versions of The X Factor to screens.
Last year, The X Factor: Celebrity aired on ITV and saw famous faces showcase their vocal talents while competing for a record contract with Simon’s major music label, Syco.
Mini hiatus: Sources claim: ‘Although The X Factor is contracted for one more series, ITV totally understand the rationale behind the idea of resting it this year’
Winner: Megan McKenna was crowned the champ of X Factor: Celebrity and landed a record contract with Simon’s music label Syco
Megan McKenna was crowned the winner of the show and has teased she is in the studio working on new music, while other stand-out stars from the show include runners-up Max and Harvey and The Chase star Jenny Ryan.
Simon acted as head judge on the show and was joined by X Factor veteran Louis Walsh and Nicole Scherzinger, who later confirmed her relationship with rugby star Thom Evans – following his appearance on the show as part of boyband Try Star, alongside Ben Foden and Levi Davis.
X Factor: The Band then followed and lasted for just one week. It saw boys and girls audition in front of judges Simon, Nicole and Leona Lewis in a fast-track version of the show.
X Factor: The Band: Simon joined Nicole Scherzinger and Leona Lewis on the judging panel to find the next big girlband/boyband in a fast tracked version of the show
Once the successful contestants were placed in their respective boyband, Unwritten Rule, and girlband, Real Like You, the two bands competed against each other for that coveted recording contract with Syco.
Real Like You – made up of Jess Folley, 16, Virginia Hampson, 17, Seorsia Leagh Jack, 18, Luena Martinez, 20, Halle Williams, 19, and Kellimarie Willis, 17 – were crowned the winners.
The X Factor has long been running on ITV for the last 16 years.
Its last traditional series to air was back in 2018, with judges Simon, Louis Tomlinson, Robbie Williams and his wife Ayda Field on the judging panel.
Dalton Harris, mentored by former One Direction star Louis, won the series, with Scarlett finishing in second place and Anthony Russell taking third.
Original series: Its last traditional series to air on ITV was back in 2018, where Louis Tomlinson (R) won the series with his act Dalton Harris
On its way out? While The X Factor was picked up for one more series by ITV in a new deal signed with Syco, Britain’s Got Talent has been commissioned until 2024
While it’s produced huge stars like 1D, Little Mix, Olly Murs and James Arthur, The X Factor has arguably taking a hit in ratings over the last few years.
X Factor 2010-2018: Series ratings overview
2010: 14.3million viewers
2011: 12.41million viewers
2012: 10million viewers
2013: 9.45million viewers
2014: 8.65million viewers
2015: 7.85million viewers
2016: 7.71million viewers
2017: 6.52million viewers
2018: 6.19million viewers
X Factor was hit by its lowest ever ratings when the Celebrity series aired its first live show earlier this year.
The ITV series recorded just 2.96 million viewers at one point, and by the last 15 minutes of the Celebrity special, just 2.99 million viewers were left.
Even with a 3.73 million peak, the ratings paled in comparison to the average viewing figures of 14.13 million that the show pulled in at its prime in 2010.
It marked the lowest ratings since the franchise began in 2004, but sources claim The X Factor still remains the highest watched show for 16 to 34 year olds.
It was only in December that reports claimed The X Factor would definitely be returning to ITV, with an insider exclusively telling MailOnline, at the time, that show bosses wanted to give the show overhaul to boost numbers next time round.
‘It is definitely going to be returning, however, ratings have dropped, so bosses want to make sure it’s given a bit of a revamp,’ they said.
While The X Factor was picked up for one more series by ITV in a new deal signed with Syco, Britain’s Got Talent has been commissioned until 2024.
In a statement Simon said: ‘I am thrilled our relationship with ITV is to continue for the foreseeable future. ITV has always been home to Britain’s Got Talent, The X Factor – and me! – and this long-term commitment shows the mutual respect in our partnership.’
Pleased: In a statement Simon said: ‘I am thrilled our relationship with ITV is to continue for the foreseeable future. ITV has always been home to BGT and The X Factor and me!’
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