The X Factor ‘axing’ is met with delight and relief from TV fans

TV fans could not contain their glee when it was reported on Wednesday evening that Simon Cowell had pulled the plug on The X Factor. 

Insiders revealed that it the music mogul, 61, has accepted the UK’s version of the show ‘has become slightly stale’, so has reportedly decided to ‘shelve’ the programme for five years, but sources are claiming it’s now ‘unlikely’ to ever return.

In the wake of the news, Twitter was awash with comments from those insisting the format was tired and also shock that the axing was only happening now. 

Social media users penned: ‘Good riddance XFactor. You will most certainly never be missed… Cowell read the room finally! #XFactor show was one I loved to hate more than any other… I’m surprised X Factor has lasted this long’. 

Done: TV fans could not contain their glee when it was reported on Wednesday evening that Simon Cowell had pulled the plug on The X Factor (Pictured in 2005 with judges Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh)

On Wednesday, news of The X Factor axing arose with a show insider telling The Sun: ‘Globally, it is still a phenomenon and rakes in millions every year. But in the UK, there is no question it has become slightly stale.

‘Simon remains at the top of his game and knows how to make a hit. He owns the rights to the show, and it’s his call — not ITV’s — whether or not he drops it. 

‘Clearly the last thing he wants is for X Factor to fizzle out with a whimper and become a bit of a joke — especially in contrast to the show in its pomp.’   

Social media users took to the microblogging site in droves to voice their feelings towards the reported axing – with a surprising amount of glee. 

Out! In the wake of the news, Twitter was awash with comments from those insisting the format was tired and also shock that the axing was only happening now

Out! In the wake of the news, Twitter was awash with comments from those insisting the format was tired and also shock that the axing was only happening now

They wrote: ‘Hoooooray no more X Factor clogging up endless hours of weekend TV. Now scrap the rest of the rubbish that follows and put decent stuff in its place!… 

‘Absolutely gutted that X Factor has been axed after seventeen years when I haven’t watched it in sixteen!…

‘Kind of unsurprising re: X Factor really, it was a tired format and going up against something in the ITV schedule as aggressively contemporary as like, The Masked Singer/Dancer it didn’t rly have a chance…

‘Ppl like to be shocked and X Factor lost the ability to do that ages ago… It’s about time #XFactor was axed. 17 years is a very long time for a talent show… 

‘Good riddance XFactor. You will most certainly never be missed… Cowell read the room finally! #XFactor show was one I loved to hate more than any other. It was a triggerathon. Hope all who auditioned tell all…

Businessman: While around the world the format is still successful, it seems that the music mogul has accepted that in the UK 'it has become slightly stale' (Pictured in 2019)

Businessman: While around the world the format is still successful, it seems that the music mogul has accepted that in the UK ‘it has become slightly stale’ (Pictured in 2019)

X Factor 2004-2018: Series ratings overview

2004: 7.4million viewers

2005: 8.73million viewers

2006: 8.27million viewers

2007: 8.57million viewers

2008: 10.51million viewers

2009: 13million viewers

2010: 14.3million viewers

2011: 12.41million viewers

2012: 10million viewers

2013: 9.45million viewers

2014: 8.65million viewers

2015: 7.85million viewers

2016: 7.71million viewers

2017: 6.52million viewers

2018: 6.19million viewers

‘I saw the production staff credits on first series and knew first hand there’d be cruelty afoot. It’s a TikTok world boo… Well I’m surprised X Factor has lasted this long tbh it should have finished years ago!!’ 

The source explained there is the option for Simon to return the talent show in 2023, which would see auditions take place next summer, however the entrepreneur is thought to be focused on his new game show Walk The Line.

MailOnline has contacted Fremantle for comment. An ITV spokseperson told MailOnline: ‘There are no current plans for the next series of The X Factor at this stage.’ 

In March, Dermot O’Leary, 47, told new! magazine of the X Factor: ‘I can’t see it coming back this year. If it does come back, it’ll be 2022 – maybe 2023.’ 

The presenter admitted he is missing filming the show, which launched in 2004, adding: ‘You do miss it, definitely. You work with people for the best part of 10 years and you become a really tight team.  

‘And you do miss the buzz of a Saturday night show. There’s something great about it.’ 

The father-of-one has hosted the show since 2007, taking over from former host Kate Thornton, who was at the helm from 2004–2006. 

Dermot has hosted every series since, aside from in 2015 where he was replaced with former contestant Olly Murs and the late Love Island presenter Caroline Flack. 

Its last traditional series of X Factor aired back in 2018, with judges Simon, Louis Tomlinson, Robbie Williams and his wife Ayda Field on the judging panel. 

Experts: The last traditional series of X Factor aired back in 2018, with judges Simon, Louis Tomlinson, Robbie Williams and his wife Ayda Field on the judging panel (pictured in 2018)

Experts: The last traditional series of X Factor aired back in 2018, with judges Simon, Louis Tomlinson, Robbie Williams and his wife Ayda Field on the judging panel (pictured in 2018)