[Wizard.]

She said she's been asked to go back and that she hopes she can. Fook off Cheryl!

[reece(:]

Because her solo career flopped and the theatre won't have ha back

[LukeB]

Originally Posted by reece(:

Because her solo career flopped and the theatre won't have ha back

most likely because she does love the attention and this show is the only way she gets it.

[Jack_]

As I say in every thread about the judges, this panel works - they need to keep it. Consistency is key

[RileyH]

she should stay

[Brekkie]

All this talk of Cheryl coming back to save the show - it was her (and Simons) return last time that almost killed it off. It actually held up fairly well when Simon was off with the US version and though it took him two years to realise getting this panel back together was the best move he could make (though I'd prefer Gary over Louis).

As others have said the show needs consistency after years of constantly changing panels - and although I'm not sure Nicole is as entertaining this year as she has been in the past she can still give more to the show in 5 minutes than Cheryl would in an entire series.

If Nicole were to quit I think I'd rather Mel B back than Cheryl, or ideally Danni Minogue but that's not going to happen with Sharon around. Really though Simon should learn from Strictly and should a vacancy come up fill it with somebody who is technically qualified rather than just a name.

[Oaker]

The judging panel doesn't even matter at this point really, the show is dead, it has a couple more series in it and then it's over. It's continuing to decline massively year and year with no sign of slowing down and ultimately the judging panel isn't going to change that . At this point it's best to hope they go for the most entertaining judges instead of being desperate for ratings, however (sadly) I think they believe that Simon/Nicole/Sharon/Louis is the most entertaining panel.

[Marsh.]

Simon, Gary, Sharon and Nicole next year please.

That might make me tune in for the auditions at least.

[RileyH]

The correct panel would be Tulisa, Nicole, Gary & Louis imo

[Marsh.]

Tulisa and Mel were both boring trash. Especially Mel. DULL AF.

[reece(:]

I forgot Mel was even a judge.

[Jack_]

Originally Posted by Brekkie

All this talk of Cheryl coming back to save the show - it was her (and Simons) return last time that almost killed it off. It actually held up fairly well when Simon was off with the US version and though it took him two years to realise getting this panel back together was the best move he could make (though I'd prefer Gary over Louis).

As others have said the show needs consistency after years of constantly changing panels - and although I'm not sure Nicole is as entertaining this year as she has been in the past she can still give more to the show in 5 minutes than Cheryl would in an entire series.

If Nicole were to quit I think I'd rather Mel B back than Cheryl, or ideally Danni Minogue but that's not going to happen with Sharon around. Really though Simon should learn from Strictly and should a vacancy come up fill it with somebody who is technically qualified rather than just a name.

Simon pissing off to the US is what destroyed X Factor UK. The year-on-year decline wasn't anything drastic but the rot soon began to set in and they went about it totally the wrong way. They had a series peaking with astronomical figures (2010), and then the next year replaced three of the four judges and Simon rather arrogantly just assumed it would continue to work. I'd say there were at least another two, maybe three series that could've continued in the 14-15m range had the panel remained the same - as I said, consistency is always key.

Then they changed the panel every year for six consecutive series and the decline just got worse. Compare this to BGT who found a panel that worked and stuck with it and it's quite remarkable. The panel we have now should've been in place from 2014 onwards.

Unfortunately, the damage is now done and there's absolutely no way this show is getting another contract extension (I was amazed they got one last year tbh). So their best bet is to try their hardest to stick with one that works, though I do agree that the first port of call of ex-judges if Nicole/Sharon leave should be Mel B (or dare I say Alexandra).

[Oaker]

tbf 2011 rated on par with 2010 (and sometimes better) up until the live shows so people clearly didn't hate the change in judges, I think they just didn't like who they chose to be the judges, rather than the change itself.

[Ross.]

Originally Posted by reece(:

I forgot Mel was even a judge.

I find that a little bit cheating

[Jack_]

But then the show collapsed even further in 2012 when they changed the panel again (even if it was only one judge) so clearly it must have an effect. Shows like this need some sense of familiarity, if it ain't broke don't fix it. Worked for BGT up until this year

I just had a look back at the 2011 ratings too, and they lost 2 million after that dreadful first live show twist says it all

[Marsh.]

I think changing the format has done worse damage to X factor than changing the judging panel.

The gimmicks, twists, wildcards, cardboard randomising machines, double eliminations, six chair challenges, arena auditions killed the X factor.

[Jack_]

Oh the gimmicks, twists and format changes definitely aren't helping - but there weren't too many of them in the immediate years that followed 2010, so I think the buck ultimately lies with the panel. I know people always say every year 'the show isn't about the judges' but it lowkey is? Or else there wouldn't be so much speculation (less so these days) about who'll be on it

[Morgan.]

Originally Posted by Marsh.

I think changing the format has done worse damage to X factor than changing the judging panel.

The gimmicks, twists, wildcards, cardboard randomising machines, double eliminations, six chair challenges, arena auditions killed the X factor.

.

[Oaker]

Isn't the six chair challenge the most popular stage of the X Factor now though?

I'm sure it gets the highest ratings.

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Jack_

Oh the gimmicks, twists and format changes definitely aren't helping - but there weren't too many of them in the immediate years that followed 2010, so I think the buck ultimately lies with the panel. I know people always say every year 'the show isn't about the judges' but it lowkey is? Or else there wouldn't be so much speculation (less so these days) about who'll be on it

Maybe. But I'm inclined to agree that it's the choice of judges (Kelly, Tulisa, Mel B, Rita and Nick) who didn't click with the audience rather than changes per se.

[Oliver_W]

Cheryl Cole was a bit boring, as judges go. Stick to the current line up <3

[Brekkie]

Originally Posted by Jack_

I do agree that the first port of call of ex-judges if Nicole/Sharon leave should be Mel B (or dare I say Alexandra).

OK.com

Originally Posted by Oaker

Isn't the six chair challenge the most popular stage of the X Factor now though?

I'm sure it gets the highest ratings.

I think you're right. Most years until the last couple of series the audition stage held up quite well but since 2011 or so the live shows is where the ratings have fallen when really they should be growing. The Sunday results show probably held up better than the performance show though, so although a revamp of the live shows was long overdue I suspect they've gone the wrong way about it.

[Denver]

Originally Posted by Marsh.

Maybe. But I'm inclined to agree that it's the choice of judges (Kelly, Tulisa, Mel B, Rita and Nick) who didn't click with the audience rather than changes per se.

Tulisa was quite popular with viewers especially the 1st year

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Adam.

Tulisa was quite popular with viewers especially the 1st year

Not even a little bit.

[Denver]

Originally Posted by Marsh.

Not even a little bit.

Ern yes she was