Weekend weather blamed for huge X Factor ratings slump
Opening figures are lowest since 2006
- X Factor is born: Taking the Pop Idol idea and giving it a radical overhaul (well, letting old people get involved), Simon Cowell premiered X Factor on ITV in 2004. Cowell was joined by jolly Louis Walsh and mad old bat Sharon Osborne. The show included a blind entrant and the winner, Steve Brookstein, disappeared after one hit single. No one gave it second though, it was just a bit of telly after all.
by Michael Baggs | Photos by WENN.com
Tags: X Factor
X Factor returned to TV screens on the weekend, but did so to the show's lowest opening viewing figures since 2006.
8.1 million viewers tuned in to this weekend's opening episodes, and while this was the most-watched show on Saturday night, this was 2.7 million fewer than watched 2011's opening episode.
ITV were quick to defend the show's ratings however, blaming the hot weather for the low number of viewers.
"The X Factor launched on the hottest day of the year and its audience was still over double that of the next nearest programme," said a spokesperson.
"We have a great series ahead, with some fantastic talent this year that viewers can look forward to."
Last week the show's executive producer Richard Holloway defended criticism of the show, saying: “We’re still the number one show on television. Is there anything to complain about? Not really.”
Below: is the X Factor bubble finally ready to burst?
