'X Factor' ratings fall by 3.4m
'X Factor' bosses saw ratings drop by 3.4m in the UK as the new series launched on Saturday.
The UTV talent show - which has Gary Barlow, Louis Walsh, Tulisa Contostavlos and Nicole Scherzinger on the judging panel - returned for its ninth run over the weekend and had a peak of 9.2m and an average of 8.1m, the lowest for a series opener since 2006.
Last year's opener was seen by 12.6m but bosses claim they're not worried by the figures as they said it was down to the hot weather the UK had over the weekend.
A spokesman said: "'The X Factor' launched on the hottest day of the year, and its audience was still over double that of the next nearest programme. We have a great series ahead, with some fantastic talent to look forward to."
Saturday's show featured 16-year-old hopeful Ella Henderson, who dedicated her performance to her late grandfather.
After her audition had been aired, she had over 100,000 views on YouTube and she says if she makes it through to Judges' Houses stage of the competition, she wants Tulisa to be her mentor.
She said: "After my audition, the warm presence I got off Tulisa, that swerved me that way."
