[Matt]

I think it's a very real possibility The X Factor could end permanently before Big Brother.

As Richard has pointed out, Simon Cowell has claimed he'd rather axe the show than let the ratings slide, and X Factor's contract is up at the end of next year's series - so if it continues to get embarrassing ratings like last night's episode did then it might not be renewed.

And unless Cowell has something up his sleeve, or he has ITV wound just a bit too tightly around his little finger, they could swoop in and buy The Voice from the BBC next year, especially if they manage to boost the ratings for its live show stage. ITV has shown interest in The Voice before.

On the other hand, ITV could be happy enough with The X Factor's slipping ratings to renew it for another couple of years - and now Celebrity Big Brother's dropped below 2million viewers, Channel 5 might not be so interested in keeping it.