X Factor is being ‘axed’ after 17 years – here’s how people reacted

ITV has said there are “no current plans” for another series of The X Factor, marking an end of an era for the UK music industry and reality TV.

During its 17 years on air, the show has helped launched the careers of chart-topping superstars such as One Direction, Little Mix, Leona Lewis, and Olly Murs.

The ITV statement followed The Sun’s report which said creator Simon Cowell has axed the programme and will be rested for “at least five years”. There hasn’t been a series in three years, with the show last airing in 2018 when Dalton Harris won the singing competition.

Former contestants were among those reacting to the news.

Irish duo Jedward, who participated on the show in its sixth series in 2009, are outspoken critics of the X Factor and shared their delight at the news.

Former contestant Katie Waissel also shared a Daily Mail article about it on her Instagram stories, with the hashtags #journeyforjustice #breakthecycle #news #gratitude.

A screenshot from Katie Waissel’s Instagram appearing to be glad about the show being axedInstagram/katiewaisselofficial/

Waissel has also been a critic of the show after she participated in the seventh series in 2010. Earlier this year, she claimed that somebody on the X Factor team sexually assaulted her.

At the time, a spokesperson for Syco Entertainment said: “Despite a number of requests to Katie asking her to detail the claims to us, she chose not to make a complaint over his behaviour. As a result, and without other evidence to the contrary, we were obliged to accept his denial of the claims.”

But Jack Remmington, who was in the show in 2017 as part of a duo with fellow singer Joel, shared his sadness at the news:

Some X Factor fans shared their favourite iconic moments from over the last 17 years as they reflected on the announcement.

While others shared their delight that the show was not making a return

Due to the last season airing in 2018, some already thought the show had been axed before today’s announcement from ITV.

Elsewhere, people noted that this marks the end of the X Factor vs Strictly Come Dancing ratings battle - with many declaring Strictly as the winner.

In February last year, Cowell announced he was resting the programme for 2020.

Last month it was revealed Cowell will return to our screens as a lead judge on ITV for a new musical gameshow called Walk The Line.

The 2018 series of The X Factor was presented by Dermot O’Leary and featured judges Louis Tomlinson, Ayda Field and Robbie Williams.

Previous judges on the programme include Sharon Osbourne, Louis Walsh, Nicole Scherzinger, Cheryl, Gary Barlow, Nick Grimshaw, Rita Ora, Kelly Rowland and Dannii Minogue.

The first series began back in 2004 and in recent years spin-off shows were created such as X Factor: Celebrity and X Factor: The Band in 2019.

Due to the success of the UK show, Cowell took The X Factor across the pond to create a US version that would last for two seasons (2011-13).