[Denver]

SIMON COWELL has decided to axe The X Factor's Sunday night show in favour of ramping up ratings, according to a report.

The 57-year-old ITV judge will now send acts home on Saturday night in the new shake-up to keep up with rival Strictly Come Dancing.

In previous years, Sunday night’s hour long episode saw a recap of the Saturday night meaning viewers were not at a loss if they hadn’t tuned in.

The sing-off and elimination part of the show will also be moved to the end of Saturday’s show.

“Simon loves making changes to the show’s format to keep it fresh, so he’s been pitching to producers that the show should ditch the traditional Sunday night format,” the insider said.

The shows will be tighter, less predictable for viewers and acts will perform across the weekend
Show insider
They added to the Sun: “He wants the show to mix things up.

“Have guest performers on Saturday’s show, kick out acts on both nights of the weekend. It’ll be must-see TV.

“The shows will be tighter, less predictable for viewers and acts will perform across the weekend.”

An X Factor spokesperson refused to comment when approached by Express.co.uk.

It comes as The X Factor drew an average of 5.5 million viewers this weekend, including those watching on the ITV HD and ITV+1 channels, peaking at 6.8 million viewers.

ITV’s singing competition launched last week to just six million viewers, its lowest ever launch since 2004.

The X Factor continues this Saturday on ITV at 8pm.

http://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-...s-Strictly-ITV

[Amy Jade]

It was always better this way imo

[Crimson Dynamo]

good

[andybigbro]

That's better

[Oaker]

okay but like how is the whole 2 night thing going to work because surely the early shows will have to be like 4 hours long if all the acts perform on both nights + guest stars + eliminations

[Jack_]

So it's now five live shows and a final? how is this even practical

Have the BBUK production team been drafted in or something

[RileyH]

Won't this mean the show will be like 3 hours or something and I tune in for the acts not the ****ing guest stars

[Withano]

Doesnt Sundays show get more viewers though? Would have made more sense to get rid of Saturdays?

[Jack_]

Yes Sunday's have been more popular for a while I think, it's the performance shows that lead to viewer fatigue and yet this will only mean they drag on longer

This has to be BS surely

[Oaker]

acts will perform across the weekend.

kick out acts on both nights of the weekend.

they haven't axed the Sunday show, it's just not a results show any more, it has act performances too (I think).

[Jack_]

Oh, well that was reported months ago so idk why it has been again

[Crimson Dynamo]

cant wait to see great acts like Michael Bubble and Ellie Goulding

[Brother Leon]

I liked the Sunday show. **** all else to do after football finishes.