‘The X Factor’ might not return to screens in 2021.
The long-running singing competition has been on ITV since 2004, but was "rested" this year following a decline in ratings and an experimental format change that saw two special series – ‘The X Factor: Celebrity’ and ‘The X Factor: The Band’ – air in 2019.
And now, ITV’s director of television Kevin Lygo has admitted he isn’t certain if boss Simon Cowell will bring his show back to screens next year, as there are no "definite" plans in place.
Speaking at the Edinburgh TV Festival, Kevin said: "It’s not definitely returning, it might return. The format will be tweaked. When we talk about format changes, it was our most successful entertainment show for a decade and you need to be wary of changes.
"I’m sure X Factor will be back at some stage and it’s really when is the right moment. Simon controls it – when does he want it to come back and how does he want it to come back? And hopefully we can be part of that."
The news comes after Simon’s other UK talent show, ‘Britain’s Got Talent’, saw its semi-finals postponed for months due to the coronavirus pandemic.
ITV confirmed this week the shows will finally air from September 5, but will not have Simon on the judging panel after the music mogul broke his back recently and had to undergo surgery.
Instead, Simon will be replaced by Ashley Banjo for the five pre-recorded episodes.
Ahead of the semi-finals, viewers will be able to watch a special programme titled ‘Britain’s Got Talent: The Finalists Revealed’, which was filmed back in February and sees the judges – Simon, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden, and David Walliams – decide who makes it through to the semis.
A post on the ‘BGT’ Instagram read: "The Judges have been deliberating, but who will make it through to the #BGT Semi-Finals?
"Find out on Britain’s Got Talent: The Finalists Revealed, Sunday 30th August, 6:30pm on @itv and @wearestv1
"(The Judges deliberation was filmed back in February 2020) (sic)"