Simon Cowell bids to save X Factor by cutting live shows, adding stars and holding auditions in a THEME PARK
SIMON Cowell is making sweeping changes to The X Factor in a last-ditch effort to rescue the struggling series.
The live weekend shows will be cut from ten to six with acts voted off on both Saturdays and Sundays meaning "tedious" performance-only Saturday episodes, which got low ratings, will be axed.
Star guest artists will perform on both days and auditions will be held at Thorpe Park in the hope that fun theme park footage will win viewers.
He will discourage novelty acts like Honey G, who came fifth last year as audience figures hit an all-time low and the show was trounced by rival Strictly Come Dancing.
An X Factor source said: "Ratings plummeted and Simon knew a drastic revamp was needed.
“The Saturday night show became so tedious as there was rarely any drama which an eviction would bring.
“ITV believes transforming it is the right decision. It means all singers will perform on both Saturday and Sunday evenings, with acts being eliminated both nights.
“They are doing the Thorpe Park auditions early on too, because producers think the unconventional location will create some funny footage.
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“They want to get shots of the judges on white-knuckle rides.
“Ultimately, show bosses are determined to make another star.
“They don’t want the show to be a laughing stock again like it was with Honey G.”
Parts of Bootcamp will now be filmed in front of a studio audience.
And Sharon Osbourne, Nicole Scherzinger and Louis Walsh will be back as judges, alongside Simon, 57, when the show returns later this year.
At its peak in 2010 X Factor was watched by 14.13million an episode.
But last year even the final, won by Matt Terry, only attracted 7million.
SI'S BID TO WOO BACK VIEWERS
- Live shows cut from ten weeks to six
- Star guests and eliminations on Saturday
- Auditions to be held at Thorpe Park
- Bootcamp in front of TV audience
