The X Factor will return after five years off-screen - but on a different channel. The talent show, which created the careers of some household names including Leona Lewis, One Direction and Olly Murs, is now expected to be revived on Channel 5.
Music mogul Simon Cowell has reportedly secured a deal to have the show back on TV. And while there was a lot of "interest from a number of networks" the show's executives have settled with Channel 5 for an upcoming series.
"As soon as X-Factor was up for grabs, there was interest from a number of the networks. X-Factor is one of the most iconic shows in TV history, so it’s no surprise lots of channels were keen," a source told the Daily Star.
"The production company had their pick. After a lot of meetings, execs decided to go with Channel 5."
The last series saw Dalton Harris take the crown, beating Scarlett Lee and Antony Russell to the top prize. But soon after this, the show was axed and it has remained off screens for five years.
"This is the start of a new chapter for X Factor. Moving to a new channel gives the creative team a chance to completely revamp the format and do something different," an insider added of the new show.
Production is set to take place later this year and it's believed the show will air in late 2023. Simon plans to take the show back to basics and the mogul wants the new series to be similar to its early days.
An insider said: “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.”
