[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).