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Falling ratings and recent boycotts has led to Simon Cowell axing the annual X Factor group single, instead making the winner's single a charity record.
The charity cover track has been performed by all the finalists since 2008, and has included covers of Michael Jackson's 'You Are Not Alone' and David Bowie's 'Heroes'. However, this year Cowell plans to scrap the single in favour of a big push for the winner.
A source told The Sun: “We do a charity record every year but the current thinking is we should just make that the winner’s single.
“It would make loads of cash for charity and it will bring festive cheer back to the Christmas No1. Obviously there are people who would like to give Simon a bloody nose. Well, this way all they’ll be doing is starving a charity of cash if they campaign against it. Nothing has been decided for definite but everyone is very keen on the idea.”
A selection of The X Factor finalists performing on the show
The move also comes after the X Factor winner's song has been boycotted from becoming the coveted Christmas number one. A famous campaign to get Rage Against the Machine's Killing in the Name to number one was followed last year by the Military Wives taking the top spot.
This year’s X Factor winner’s single will be released straight after the final on December 16.
Below: The X Factor finalists perform together on the show
Photos: all the rumours from the X Factor, 2012
