Simon Cowell 'agrees X Factor return in 2023'

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief | 26 June 2022

Simon Cowell reportedly agrees a deal for The X Factor to return next year, although a broadcaster is not yet attached.

Simon Cowell has reportedly agreed a deal which will see The X Factor return in 2023.

The singing competition was a staple of ITV's autumn schedules between 2004 and 2019, after which it was dropped due to falling ratings.

Cowell has made no secret of his desire to get the show back on air, and according to the Daily Star, he has now agreed a deal for the production side of things, although he has yet to get a broadcaster on board for the revival.

"It has been decided that the time is right to bring X Factor back," a source told the newspaper. "It's really exciting. Everyone who will be working on the new series can't wait to get started.

"Producers want to recapture the magic the show had when it was first on TV. The focus will all be on the competition element of the show, rather than the razzle dazzle."

At its peak in 2010, The X Factor pulled in 19.4 million viewers for ITV and by the time of its cancellation it was averaging around 7 million.

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