The X Factor 2013

Sharon mentioned in an interview that she was back for just one series.

As is every judge - don't think they ever lock any judge in for multiple series.

With Dancing on Ice axed I wouldn't be surprised at all that should X Factor USA still be airing that they tweak the schedule so TXF live shows air from January, with the auditions, boot camp and judges houses airing in the run up to Christmas - and therefore enabling Cowell to do both.

They can't afford to do that, unfortunately. Christmas is peak time for advertising, and competing for Christmas number one is still a big deal.

As much as it would be something great to look forward to in the barren months of the new year, ITV isn't going to do it. The live shows get the biggest ratings.

But Sharon has gone out of her way to say it's for 1 year only and she won't be coming back.

Louis Walsh confirms this will be his last year on The X Factor

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s103/the-x-factor/news/a504295/louis-walsh-to-quit-x-factor-after-2013-series.html

In other words this is the last series, what with Gary leaving, Sharon only back for one series and now Louis quitting...Why can't Cowell or ITV just come out and say so.

Towards the end of the 2012 series there was talk of an Ultimate X Factor for 2014 with memorable faces from the last 10 years taking part. I'm not sure that would ever happen but it was apparently considered at one point.

Because there is no real reason to think Cowell and ITV wouldn't want it on air anymore.

Exactly - it will only be the last series if Cowell has something lined up to replace it, which would inevitably only be to X Factor what X Factor was to Pop Idol. No decision will be made on the UK series until FOX make a decision on the US series - ITV would surely rather go with X Factor with Simon Cowell returning than risk a new format.

With ratings of 9 million plus, even if they have fallen. I can't see them dropping the programme unless they have something similar lined up.

If every programme was dropped because ratings have fallen to 9 million then there would be nothing on any channel.

The X Factor has had it's day.. high ratings or not.

Nice well thought out analysis there.