X Factor

A young girl with very little experience of performing live sobbing away at being eliminated over Martin Bashir wasn’t exactly an uplifting end to the show.

Agree on the comments about Cowell being the weak link. In the past few series, they’ve brought Louis back, they’ve brought Nicole back, Cheryl, Sharon... maybe it’s time they brought back the judge who was present throughout the highest-rating years and get Dannii back. My dream panel would be Dannii, Gary Barlow and Nick Grimshaw (who I thought was brilliant, possibly on my own on that one though!).

The X Factor's first 5-6 years were impressive. You could say the next three years were ok but then after that it's gone downhill.

They've tried every change they can think of over the past four years from changing the presenters to changing the format and it's still being trounced. This Celebrity version is no exception.

It's remarkable ITV are still flogging this dead horse - when back in the day Pop Idol was huge for series one, didn't make the mark for series two so it got axed.

ITV really need to think seriously on how they're going to reclaim Winter Saturday nights from the BBC, and I would say it would have to include axing The X Factor. They've got sixteen years out of it, but its had its day now.

Curt conversation from Simon to Dermot "let's just get on with the vote", when he was just trying to fill because the votes weren't ready. Usual banter or genuinely grumpy Simon who knows, but it wasn't great viewing.

And just to stick the boot in, the Strictly judges straight on after with Jonathan Ross!

It definitely feels like it's reached Big Brother levels of hate from viewers now.

I thought it was a really painful show tonight. It felt really rushed, the studio managed to feel weirdly desolate yet at the same time a bit cramped, if I'm completely honest I felt like Dermott was phoning it in a bit as well. The end is definitely nigh for the show.

You just know thoughthe minute it is axed, there will be tabloid fuelled outrage at such a decision, as suddenly loads of people come out of the woodwork who likes it.

Then, whatever replaced it, wouldn’t be given a chance, as there would be calls to ‘bring back The X Factor’

It's survives based on the 20-34 year old audience. Where it still gets a very good share. If that goes it goes I expect.

Quite ironic to see complaints of the show being rushed tonight after years of complaints of them dragging it out. It is really telling though that ITV wouldn't even give them an extra 10 minutes - previously when acts have been added after the supposed final line up was confirmed ITV have extended the live show to accomodate them.

I still think too that BGT and The X Factor should have aired on Sundays from 7-9pm this year - even if going head to head with the Strictly results I think that's a better slot for them. The trouble is filling Saturdays - I do think Millionaire suited Sundays more than Saturdays but it would have done OK post-Strictly. As for the next few weeks switching Harry Potter to Saturdays to run opposite Strictly and then airing Take Me Out as Strictly came off air would have filled the schedule even if it is very uninspired. The only reason The X Factor survives is they've nothing to replace it.

I will admit from what I have seen so far it has been a bit more dignified than the original celebrity series. It wasn't much of a shock that Martin went through, but awkward at the same time seeing Olivia breakdown in front of the nation.

It was strange how there was no over the top entrance for Dermot and the judges liked you'd expect from The X Factor. The set does kinda look like they recycled the BGT set but with the X plastered around, and the 'safe seat' is obviously their equivalent of a golden buzzer. It is nice that once they are in the seat the judges can't change their mind, I'm personally not a fan of the six seat challenge.

We are fast approaching a new decade, which would be the perfect opportunity to put the show to rest and for once ITV to take a big risk on a replacement that feels fresh and will kick the competition into shape...but of course they are too chicken to do so!

And that there is no replacement on the horizon. All that seems to be pitched are new variants of singing shows.

When TXF is axed there will probably be a lull for a few years, just like there was around the early 00s.

They need to commission a full series of Britain's Got The Pop Factor and Possibly A New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soapstar Superstar Strictly On Ice. I'll be standing by waiting to press the purple button to vote for R. Wayne.

They have got The Masked Singer waiting in the wings which has generally been a hit in most countries it's launched in so we'll see how that goes. It is the closest thing they have to a replacement.

I totally agree. Its time The X Factor was put to bed now. It was great for many years but the last few years of the normal series were dreadful and this Celebrity version is no better. And Simon sending home the wrong act yet again. Saying he feels the public would prefer to see Martin in the show. Its meant to be who the judges want to save not who the judges feel the public want in the show. The public had already had their vote and he was in the bottom 3 so obviously they didn't want him there that much or more would have voted for him. I think ITV seriously need some new ideas for their Saturday nights - the same type of shows year on year - its no wonder viewers are switching over to other channels.

I used to hate it when they dragged out the Saturday night show, but the Sunday night results show used to be the better show IMO with the sing off and judges vote. It does feel like they have rushed that part now with no sing off and the judges just voting. Also no deadlock which used to add to the tension as well. Often the right act was sent home as it went to the deadlock and ultimately the public chose the act that was sent home.