X Factor could be about to make a TV comeback following news the show's boss Simon Cowell has secured a "big-money deal". Due to low ratings, the singing competition was axed from ITV five years ago, but the entrepreneur is planning to revive the show with a new series in 2023, according to the Daily Star.
An industry source said: “It has been decided that the time is right to bring X Factor 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.”
After top secret talks, the Daily Star has revealed Simon, who is also a judge on Britain's Got Talent, has struck a big-money deal with a production company, and is set to meet with production bosses at a string of channels over the next few months - meaning there is a possibility the show will not air on ITV again.
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The industry sourced said the mogul wants the new series to be similar to its early days, added: “Producers want to recapture the magic the show had when it was first on TV. The focus will all be on the competition element of the show, rather than the razzle dazzle.”
X Factor ran for 15 series between 2004 - 2018, with Simon Cowell as the show's head producer. He was a regular on the judging panel for the majority of the series, only being swapped out for Take That's Gary Barlow from 2011 - 2013.
The show birthed global superstars including One Direction, Leona Lewis and Little Mix. At its peak it pulled in 19million viewers. Despite the show getting the chop, two spin-offs aired in 2019 - The X Factor: Celebrity and The X Factor: The Band.
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