Lowest UK audience in a decade for X Factor final
The X Factor final drew its lowest UK audience for a decade last night - trailing its BBC1 rival Strictly Come Dancing by more than a million viewers.
The ITV show had an average audience of 8.4 million, including those watching on the catch-up +1 channel, which was down 100,000 on the Saturday stage of last year’s finale.
The only time it has fared worse was in 2004 when it pulled in 8.1 million for the first ever final, won by Steve Brookstein. Without the +1 figures this year, the audiences would be on a par.
Strictly – which last night reached its semi-final stage – drew 9.9 million, which was also down 100,000 on the equivalent show last year.
The BBC dance show has been ahead throughout this year’s series, although ITV will take comfort that last night’s show was 1.1 million up on the Saturday night edition of the X Factor semi-final last week.
The singing contest has seen a marked decline in its audience over recent years. In 2010 – when Matt Cardle was the winner – the equivalent show drew 14.1 million viewers.
There had been hopes that the return of Simon Cowell and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini would lift the viewing figures this year but their appearances have not translated into a ratings boost.
X Factor viewers will tonight see the winner crowned in the second stage of the final, with van driver Ben Haenow competing against hot favourite Fleur East.
Tulisa Contostavlos could once again replace Mel B on the judging panel tonight, after the former Spice Girl was forced to miss Saturday’s show through illness.
It is not yet known if she will be well enough to come back for tonight’s programme.
An X Factor spokesman said: “There’s a possibility that Tulisa might do the show.”
He said she is available to step in “should she need to”.
