[Jack_]

Okay, so I think most are agreed after the show's steady decline this series and last, the show is in need of some sort of revamp. With series ten being the last in the latest contract that was signed, and it potentially being the last series, what needs to be done to ensure that the show either goes out with a bang, or is given a chance to survive going forward?

Here's my ideas:

It's time to bring back a former judge, clearly the current panel isn't as popular as the old(er) ones were with the British public, and so perhaps a familiar face might give ex-viewers an incentive to return. Now...Simon would obviously be top of many people's lists (including mine), but as X Factor USA has now been renewed for a third season, it's looking unlikely.

Dannii, whilst a good judge, didn't particularly set the world alight - and I don't see what bringing her back would offer. Cheryl's the difficult one - clearly most people regard her as one of the show's saving graces (and let's be honest I don't think it's any coincidence that while she was on the show figures rose and remained high and steady, and then dropped when she left...yes there were other factors, but I'd consider her a big factor). But like Dannii, she didn't and doesn't have much to offer.

I think Sharon is the right choice if you ask me. I didn't think she was particularly popular apart from on the forums, but her appearance at Judges' Houses again this year had her trending on Twitter (along with Cheryl) with many people they'd like to see her return and miss her. This along with her unpredictability, tendency to cause drama and controversy, and seeming want to return herself - all points to one thing - bring back Sharon.

Louis is integral to the show. Like it or lump it he's part of the furniture, and if Sharon were to return he'd have someone to bounce off like he did with Simon.

Nicole has surprisingly worked well, a massive improvement on her stint on the US version and so I'd keep her. Gary, as I've said before - is the next best thing to Simon. Blunt, straight to the point, honest, credible, and at times amusing. Tulisa on the other hand seems to have lost interest this year and whilst I liked her last time around, she hasn't really contributed anything of worth and so I think Sharon should replace her.

Gary - Nicole - Sharon - Louis

That is a panel with massive potential, IMO.

AUDITIONS:

It's time to cut down the audition weeks. Five/six weeks is too many and I become very bored of them very quickly, and I think most people are the same. Ideally I'd also return to the old conference room format as opposed to the arenas but that's never going to happen.

Four weeks of audition shows (like The Voice), two episodes each weekend, one on Saturday, one on Sunday.

BOOTCAMP & JUDGES HOUSES

These can remain the same, as for me Judges' Houses remains one of the best parts of the show. All I ask is that the categories are shuffled a bit more fairly and for once Louis isn't given the Groups or the Overs.

I'd go with:

Gary - Groups
Nicole - Girls
Sharon - Overs
Louis - Boys

LIVE SHOWS:

Increase these to 12 weeks as opposed to 10 (they'll be two extra weeks from dropping two weeks of auditions).

After each judge picks three acts to progress to the live shows, all twelve rejects who were sent home at Judges' Houses perform in the first week's live show which is dubbed the 'Wildcard Show'. Instead of the judges offering up a choice of four, the public gets to choose one act from the whole of the twelve sent home to make up the final 13.

This leaves 11 weeks of live shows, one act leaves every week, no double eliminations needed for 3 in the final...perfect.

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I know this is long and no one's probably read it...but, thoughts? And your own suggestions?