The X Factor will reportedly return, seven years after it was pulled from cinemas.
According to sources, ITV is said to be in talks with production company Talkback Thames about bringing back the singing competition in a bid to boost ratings.
The X Factor attracted 19 million viewers during its heyday and saw contestants such as Leona Lewis and One Direction become household names.
After 15 series it was shelved by ITV and given two spin-off series X Factor: Celebrity and X Factor: The Band.
It is thought that chief judge Simon Cowell is likely to return in some capacity.
Insiders claim ITV’s Director of Entertainment, Reality & Daytime Katie Rawcliffe is keen to bring it back with a renewal after new shows The Neighborhood and The Fortune Hotel were panned.
The X Factor is reportedly returning, seven years after it disappeared from cinemas (photo judges Louis Walsh, Simon Cowell, Nicole Scherzinger and presenter Dermot O’Leary)
It is thought that chief judge Simon Cowell is likely to return in some capacity
A source said The sun: ‘ITV has a huge gaping hole to fill in its entertainment schedule, especially at weekends when bigger viewing figures are there for the taking.
‘Katie can’t afford another disaster after The Neighbourhood’s car crash, which was hugely expensive and went horribly wrong. Instead of creating more flop formats, they have the opportunity to give The X Factor, a bona fide hit, a modern makeover.
“They can explore a younger, fresher panel, with new faces and have Cowell behind the scenes. The plan is for the show’s return to be revitalized and updated to envelop the social media generation.”
The Daily Mail has contacted ITV for comment.
Earlier this year it was reported that Simon had signed up for a new X Factor documentary featuring behind-the-scenes footage.
Sky has described the untitled show as a ‘definitive documentary series exploring the era-defining entertainment giant’.
The X factor has been presented over the years by Kate Thornton, Dermot O’Leary, Caroline Flack and Olly Murs.
Simon was joined on the judging panel by a number of famous faces, including Sharon Osbourne, Louis Walsh, Dannii Minogue, Cheryl, Gary Barlow and Tulisa.
The X Factor attracted 19 million viewers during its heyday and saw contestants such as Leona Lewis and One Direction become household names
Kelly Rowland, Nicole Scherzinger, Mel B, Rita Ora, Ayda Field, Robbie Williams and Louis Tomlinson also joined him over the years.
The participants who took part were divided into four groups: the boys, girls, over-25s and groups.
And they were also accompanied by a number of celebrities, including Simon, Sharon, Louis, Cheryl, Dannii and Nicole.
The show became a firm fan favorite and there have been some huge success stories on the singing show, with singers auditioning at the start of the series to try and make it to the live shows, which aired on Saturday evenings.
Among them are Olly Murs, Little Mix, One Direction, JLS, Leona Lewis and James Arthur.
