ITV flagship show The X Factor has been rested after 15 years.
The TV beast, created by music mogul Simon Cowell, will not air as planned this autumn.
However, Cowell will continue on as one of the broadcaster's biggest stars thanks to Britain's Got Talent, which will carry on being made for at least the next five years.
A contract signed in December between ITV, Thames and Simon's production company Syco Entertainment threw the future of X Factor in doubt, but made sure to secure BGT until 2024.
An ITV production source told Mirror Online: "Simon has decided to rest The X Factor this year. He and the producers want to take a breath to really think through the show and revitalise it for the future.
"And going straight back into a series this year wouldn't have allowed them the time to really focus.
"Although The X Factor is contracted for one more series, ITV totally the rationale and want to give Simon and the team the time to do what they feel is right."
Meanwhile, an X Factor and BGT spokesperson told: "Plans for this autumn are still being finalised and will be announced in due course. We are currently filming Britain's Got Talent 2020."
Speaking at the time, Cowell said: "I am thrilled our relationship with ITV is to continue for the foreseeable future.
"ITV has always been home to Britain's Got Talent, The X Factor - and me! - and this long-term commitment shows the mutual respect in our partnership."
The X Factor pulled in 19.7 million viewers at its peak, but recent years saw interest in the pop hopefuls wane.
The all-important Christmas No.1 spot, which for years was dominated by X Factor winners, fell in 2009 after a high-profile Twitter campaign to Rage Against The Machine's Killing In The Name Of.
Last year's glittering Celebrity spin-off hauled in just under 6.5million viewers for its launch show - and only picked up 200,000 extra for the grand finale, in which Megan McKenna was crowned the winner.
ITV has also seen huge success with new cult favourite The Masked Singer, in which celebrities disguised as animals and vegetation compete each week not to be unmasked.
So far, EastEnders star Patsy Palmer, former Home Secretary Alan Johnson, the Darkness frontman Justin Hawkins and ex-footballer Teddy Sherringham have stepped out from behind their costumes, along with American singer Kelis, Skunk Anasie frontwoman Skin and Scissor Sisters star Jake Shears.
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