LITTLE MIX & 1D SNUB X FACTOR Ailing show battles to sign up former stars

No.1 FOR TELLY + No.1 FOR TELLY + No.1 FOR TELLY

X FACTOR bosses are facing a fight to secure big names for its all-stars series.

Simon Cowell wants former contestants to return to the show this autumn to boost its ratings.

But some of the show’s most successful acts have already ruled themselves out of the running.

Girl group Little Mix, left, who won The X Factor in 2011, are among the stars saying they won’t take part.

A show insider said: “Shortly after news broke that an all-stars series is in the pipeline, Little Mix were saying they won’t be able to take part. “They’re proud of their history with the show. But the reality is they’re just too busy to go back. It’s a shame because viewers would love to see them on the show. Producers would also love to reunite One Direction, but that’s also looking highly unlikely. The lads have been saying it just won’t be possible. “There are concerns most of X Factor’s successful acts won’t be able to take part, meaning the producers will have to make do with less popular acts.” Singers likely to be approached include Olly Murs, James Arthur, Alexandra Burke, Leona Lewis and Shayne Ward.

Former finalist Saara Aalto has also publicly ruled herself out of appearing. She said: “I just did it two-and-a-half years

I feel it’s a bit early.”

But novelty act Chico Slimani, 47, has expressed an interest.

It emerged last week Cowell, 59, has ditched X Factor’s traditional format after 15 years.

The move came after the show kept losing to BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing in the ratings war.

Simon, inset, is hoping the allstars series will spark renewed interest from fans.

There are also plans for a celebrity version featuring famous faces from soaps and reality TV.

Robbie Williams, Ayda Field and Louis Tomlinson are expected to rejoin Cowell as judges.

Our source said: “Simon is really excited about X Factor evolving. He can’t wait to get started on the all-stars and celebrity versions.”

Simon hopes to revive X Factor’s traditional format in 2020, but a deal is yet to be agreed with ITV.

X Factor has been a firm fixture on primetime telly since 2004 and at its peak pulled in 19million viewers. The last series saw viewing figures drop to an all-time low of less than four million. ago, so