Strictly to stamp on X Factor
Show will ‘run and run and run’ Talent comp is ‘still must-see’
BBC bosses are expecting family favourite Strictly Come Dancing to waltz all over The X Factor this series after Simon Cowell’s ITV talent show suffered a shock launch weekend ratings slump.
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TELLY bosses have vowed to let The X Factor “run and run and run” despite plunging ratings.
ITV programming chief Kevin Lygo said he had no plans to axe the talent show even if viewers continued to turn off.
He defended the talent show as must-see TV and promised that it would run for years to come.
Show supremo Simon Cowell had pledged to breathe new life into the show after last year’s series flopped. But Saturday brought in the worst launch figures for a decade – and another 500,000 viewers ditched the show on Sunday.
Last night, ITV bosses were attempting to put a brave face on reaction to the new series by saying that Saturday’s show was watched by an additional million people via repeats.
Deal
Asked if The X Factor could now be axed, Mr Lygo said: “No I’m not going to do it. It’s a wonderful show.
“It’s an enormous hit. It’s really been proven that these shows can last, and run and run and run and most of the high ratings shows on all the networks have been around an awfully long time.
“That’s a good thing and we embrace that.”
Despite his seal of approval, ITV are yet to sign a deal with Simon to ensure The X Factor will return next year.
And ITV bosses recently bought the rights to rival BBC show The Voice.
An X Factor insider said: “The show still did very well considering it was a bank holiday. It’s a tough time for any broadcaster.”
Meanwhile, Bafta boss Jane Lush took a swipe at the show, calling on broadcasters to take more risks and drop old formats.
Speaking to Radio Times, she said: “Have broadcasters lost their nerve? No pain, no gain might be a cliché, but you have to risk huge failure to land those era-defining hit shows.” Last night returning contestant Emily Middlemass confirmed she was dating fellow Scottish singer Ryan Lawrie.