SIMON Cowell has confirmed that the The X Factor will return to screens after he revealed how much he missed the singing talent show.
The music mogul, 62, has said that when the show, which last aired in 2019, does make it’s comeback it will be a “big event”.
Speaking to OK! magazine, Simon said: “This year was the first year since we took it off the air, where I realised how much I’d really, really missed it.
“And I think the public do as well. It was – and is – a brilliant show. And there’s no question it will return.”
The Britain’s Got Talent judge continued: “I think we did the right thing in resting it, as it was a huge show to produce and I think people were tired.”
“When it comes back – and it will – it will hopefully be a big event”.
In July, The Celeb Report reported that Simon had shelved the beloved talent show, which produced acts such as Leona Lewis, One Direction, Little Mix and Olly Murs, for at least five years.
A representative for ITV confirmed to us at the time: “There are no current plans for the next series of The X Factor at this stage.”
A show insider said of X Factor: “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.
“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.
“It is still on the back-burner and there’s the option to return it in 2023, with auditions next summer, but a lot will ride on his new format Walk The Line.”
At its peak The X Factor was regularly drawing in 12million viewers on Saturday nights.
The music contest was first broadcast in 2004 and won by Steve Brookstein, now 52.
It made household names of JLS, Leona Lewis, Alexandra Burke, James Arthur, Olly Murs and Stacey Solomon among many others.
The series last aired in 2019 when they decided to do a celebrity spin-off the talent show, which was won by Megan McKenna.
NEW FOCUS
Instead, Simon will now focus on a new big-money gameshow called Walk The Line.
Simon’s new gameshow is a six-part series expected to fill a prime-time Saturday night slot.
Described as a “high octane, nail-biting” format, it will see contestants perform in front of celebrity judging panel Alesha Dixon, Craig David, Dawn French and Gary Barlow.
Filming for Walk The Line begins this week and will see a range of budding stars show off their musical talents in a bid to get their hands on the £500,000 prize.
The twist in the series sees the top two performers from each episode decide whether to go home and settle for a cash prize or walk the line and play on in a bid to win the big-money jackpot.
Should they choose to stay in the competition, they’ll progress to the next show taking on a new set of performers.
The cash-out prize grows every night, meaning the risk of staying in the competition increases.
Maya Jama is taking on the role as the host of the show, which will air later this year.
