X Factor: The cringiest yet?
X Factor ‘parody’ fails to impress fans
FANS slammed X Factor as it launched on Saturday with its smallest audience since the first series in 2004.
Just 5.7million tuned in to the ITV1 talent show, around half a million fewer than last year’s opener.
While some fans on Twitter dubbed it “the worst episode ever” others praised new judges Robbie Williams, 44, and Louis Tomlinson, 26, for helping to revitalise the show.
One wrote: “Actually think Louis and Robbie are great on the panel.”
But after Robbie got up to sing Angels, one tweeted: “I can’t tell if I’m watching X Factor or a parody of the X Factor.”
Another wrote the star, whose wife Ayda Field is also a new judge, looked like “a middle-aged man on a council estate who thinks he’s a ladies man.”
And show guru Simon Cowell, 58, did not escape criticism, with one viewer writing: “Is there any part of Simon Cowell’s body that hasn’t been injected with Botox?” while another added: “It’s as tired as Simon Cowell’s face looks.”
X Factor’s ratings have fallen every year since 2010, when audiences averaged 14.1 million each week. A total of 17.7million people tuned in for the 2010 final, which was won by Matt Cardle.
But last year just 5.8million watched as Rak-Su triumphed.
ITV yesterday said X Factor was a success as TV viewing across all channels was down on Saturday and the show upped its audience share with 34%.
But behind the scenes there was disappointment it failed to draw in a bigger audience.
ITV boss Kevin Lygo has hinted he would replace X Factor if anyone came up with a format which could do better.
This series is the last under contract with ITV and Cowell has already threatened to leave if necessary. He said: “I’ve got three offers on the table from broadcasters who want to do a deal.”