Even the shake-ups haven’t had a positive impact on the show – the judging panel received a makeover with the additions of Rita Ora and Nick Grimshaw, and long-serving host was replaced with Olly Murs and Caroline Flack.
But, while last year’s series opener saw over 10 million tune in, this year only managed 7.5 million.
Last week’s bumper two-hour special, which showed the first round of bootcamp auditions, drew in an audience of 6.8 million viewers.
Now X Factor’s executive producer Richard Holloway has admitted the show isn’t going to run forever – and could be taking a break soon.
He told Billboard: “Nothing is forever. X Factor will have a finite life span. But I think you then rest it, then you bring it back.”
Can you imagine Rita, Nick, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and Simon Cowell reuniting in 10 years time to find a new superstar? It would be amazing.
It was recently revealed that, in a bid to steal viewers back from rival Strictly Come Dancing, The Xtra Factor – hosted by Rochelle Humes and Melvin Odoom – will launch a midweek show.
Last week ITV confirmed that Rochelle and Melvin will kick off the new show in November, just days after the first live show.