Kelly Osbourne, the daughter of legendary X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne, has given her less-than-enthusiastic verdict on the reported “modernised” reboot of the ITV singing competition.
ITV executives are believed to have been quietly preparing to bring back the show since December.
According to The Sun, ITV and production company Talkback Thames have been in discussions about reviving the format, with the broadcaster eager to address what insiders describe as a “giant gaping hole” in its entertainment schedule.
A source said: “They can explore a younger, fresher panel, with new faces, and have Simon Cowell behind the scenes.
Kelly Osbourne on the NTAs 2026 red carpet
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“The plan is for the show’s return to take on a new life and be updated to envelop the social media generation.”
Mr Cowell, 66, originally devised the format and is expected to remain involved in some capacity rather than appearing on screen.
Insiders have claimed that the revamped series would prioritise attracting younger audiences by embracing social media culture, where a single clip going viral can prove more influential than traditional live viewing figures.
However, this approach doesn’t sit well with Kelly. When asked by The People’s Channel at this year’s NTAs what she thought of the reports, the 41-year-old said: “I think it’s… honestly? I think it’s done. It’s done.”
Kelly Osbourne has called for her mum Sharon to return to the singing competition
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According to the reality TV star, however, there was one way the signing competition could return and prove a success.
“If they’re gonna reboot it, then they’ve got to do it properly. Simon, Louis (Walsh), and my mum,” she added.
“But the likelihood of that ever happening? Slim to none.”
When asked why, Kelly replied: “They’d all bicker too much! You’ve never met three people that love and hate each other more than them.
Louis Walsh, Sharon Osbourne and Simon Cowell were the original judges of the show
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“I was just on the phone with Louis last night, and he was like, ‘Come to Barcelona. Come to Barcelona. It’s a place to be.’ I’m like, ‘Random, but okay’.”
X Factor isn’t the only classic British TV show in line to receive a new lease of life. Top Gear, Blind Date, and Dalziel and Pascoe are just three examples of classics poised to return with new looks.
“We were just talking about this in the car about how, like, Saturday night was about Cilla Black and watching Mystic Meg and the lottery and Gladiators,” Kelly told GB News.
But when she heard Blind Date was poised to return with Love Island’s Maura Higgins as host, disappointment was soon etched on her face.
“I’d want that job,” Kelly said. “I feel like I would’ve been really good at that.
“I mean, those are some big shoes to have to fill. It’ll be hard without Cilla.”
At its peak, X Factor drew enormous audiences, with numbers ranging narrowly below the 20 million mark.
The show proved a launchpad for some of the biggest names in British pop, including One Direction, Little Mix, Leona Lewis, JLS, Alexandra Burke and Olly Murs.
The X Factor came to an end in 2021
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ITVHowever, audience numbers steadily declined over the years, with the final series in 2018 attracting just over four million viewers.
Mr Cowell ultimately chose to put the format on ice after 17 years and 15 main series, hoping to prevent it from growing stale.
Two celebrity editions also aired. The last in 2019, which was won by former Towie star Megan McKenna.
The broadcaster’s appetite for a proven format comes after a string of underwhelming recent launches.
Insiders pointed to the costly failure of The Neighbourhood, along with disappointing returns from The Fortune Hotel and The Voice UK, as evidence that ITV needs a reliable weekend ratings draw.
A source said: “ITV can’t afford another disaster after the car crash of The Neighbourhood, which was colossally expensive and failed terribly.”
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