Is X Factor coming back? Simon Cowell ‘in early talks to reboot the singing contest’ after five year hiatus – but it might not air on ITV
X Factor could be set to return to our screens once more, according to a new report.
The much-loved ITV singing talent show fronted by music mogul Simon Cowell, 62, hasn’t been broadcast for five years.
But now The Star reports that Simon is planning to revive the series in 2023 and ‘recapture the magic’ of the show – but it is not clear yet if it will remain at it’s ITV home.
Exciting: X Factor could be set to return to our screens once more, according to a new report (Simon Cowell, 62, Pictured in 2017)
A source told the publication: ‘It has been decided that the time is right to bring it back. It’s really exciting.
‘Everyone who will be working on the new series can’t wait to get started.
‘Things are in the early stages at the moment. But the wheels are definitely in motion. It is hoped that production will begin at the end of the year.’
The insider added that Simon has been having secret conversations with a production company about his plans and has reportedly ‘struck a big-money deal’.
Break: The much-loved ITV singing talent show fronted by music mogul Simon Cowell, 62, hasn’t been broadcast for five years (pictured in 2005 with judges Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh)
He is reportedly set to continue with a series of meeting with industry bosses in the coming months.
ITV and Simon were contacted by MailOnline for further comment. ITV declined to comment.
X Factor first aired in 2004 and ran fo 15 series, with an array of changing judges including Gary Barlow, Cheryl Cole, Nicole Scherzinger and Tulisa.
The final instalment aired in 2018, but there were two spin-off series in 2019 including a celebrity version won by Megan McKenna.
On the rise and fall: The X Factor ratings saw a dramatic rise and fall, with the show enjoying dizzying success and over 14million viewers on average in 2010
It comes after last July it was reported that Simon had pulled the plug on the ITV talent show – which launched in 2004 and last aired in 2018 – because he didn’t want the programme to ‘become a bit of a joke.’
The X Factor format was still successful around the globe yet it seemed Simon had accepted in the UK ‘the show had become slightly stale’ and so reportedly decided to ‘shelve it’ for five years, with sources at the time claiming it was ‘unlikely’ to ever return.
A show insider told The Sun at the time: ‘Globally, it is still a phenomenon and rakes in millions every year. But in the UK, there is no question it has become slightly stale.
‘Simon remains at the top of his game and knows how to make a hit. He owns the rights to the show, and it’s his call — not ITV’s — whether or not he drops it.
Businessman: The Star reports that Simon is planning to revive the series in 2023 and ‘recapture the magic’ of the show – but it is not clear yet if it will remain at it’s ITV home (Pictured in 2019)
‘Clearly the last thing he wants is for X Factor to fizzle out with a whimper and become a bit of a joke — especially in contrast to the show in its pomp.’
The source explained there was the option for Simon to return the talent show in 2023.
An ITV spokesperson told MailOnline last July: ‘There are no current plans for the next series of The X Factor at this stage.’
In March 2021, Dermot O’Leary, 48, told new! magazine of the X Factor: ‘I can’t see it coming back this year. If it does come back, it’ll be 2022 – maybe 2023.’
Iconic: Simon launched X Factor in in 2004 and last aired in 2018
The presenter admitted he was missing filming the show, which launched in 2004, adding: ‘You do miss it, definitely. You work with people for the best part of 10 years and you become a really tight team.
‘And you do miss the buzz of a Saturday night show. There’s something great about it.’
The father-of-one has hosted the show since 2007, taking over from former host Kate Thornton, who was at the helm from 2004–2006.
Dermot has hosted every series since, aside from in 2015 where he was replaced with former contestant Olly Murs and the late Love Island presenter Caroline Flack.
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
Winner: Simon brought one-off series The X Factor: Celebrity to screens in 2019, which was won by Megan McKenna who then landed a record contract with Simon’s music label Syco
Its last traditional series of X Factor aired 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.
Simon then brought one-off series The X Factor: Celebrity to screens in 2019, which saw famous faces showcase their vocal talents. Megan McKenna was crowned the winner of the show and landed a record contract with Simon’s major music label, Syco.
The X Factor was then halted in 2020 when coronavirus hit, rendering it impossible to produce the show, which involves mass gatherings for open public auditions.
Confusion: In March 2021, Dermot O’Leary, (right), hinted The X Factor may not return until 2023, saying: ‘If it does come back, it’ll be 2022 – maybe 2023’
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