[cub]

I think they (Simon mostly) has ruined the show. It needed a shake up but this is too far. Gary Barlow was a good replacement for Simon, but they should have secured Dannii and kept Cheryl.

I think there will be an interest in the first 2011 live shows, but after that a gradual decline. There will be a terrific media backlash (more fierce than we've seen so far) and then viewers will leave in droves.

Simon could return in 2012 as part of a crisis package - perhaps as a 'super judge' but I think Gary Barlow might already be having second thoughts and could leave after a year.

In fact can even see a lot of changes of judges over the next couple of years. Ronan Keating replacing either Louie or Gary, one of the Saturdays replacing Tulisa or Kelly, until we get down to a judging panel of really poor D-listers. Ratings falling still further until the show is taken to a quiet corner and put out of it's misery.

The shark has jumped. The show has peaked. There have been no real 'world class' stars. All but three past winners are without proper record contracts. The next signal for failure could be Matt Cardle being dumped after a year, same as Joe.