The X Factor may never return to TV screens or at least for a while to come, according to ITV's Kevin Lygo.
Simon Cowell's talent show was paused in 2020 for a year's rest, and now ITV are considering permanently taking the competition off-air after the planned 12-month break.
It's been a fan favourite on the channel for 16 years, but it seems it could be gone forever amid rumours Simon is pondering what to do with the TV talent series.
ITV boss Kevin announced: "It's not definitely returning, it might return, and if it does the format will tweak.
"I think people always talk about format changes. I know it was the most successful entertainment show for decades.
"And you need to be wary of changes, we all think there were too many changes towards the end of the run, but I'm sure X Factor will be back at some stage and it's really, 'When is the right moment'.
"Simon controls it more than we do. When does he want it to come back, how does he want to come back? Hopefully we can be part of it."
Kevin's announcement comes after the business mogul signed a deal to air Britain's Got Talent until 2024.
The new deal also included a 2020 version of X Factor.
However sources close to Simon say he wants to give it a break to see if it can become anything close to what it was before.
A source told The Sun : "Simon wants to really think through the show and how to reinvigorate it for the future.
"Although The X Factor is contracted for one more series, ITV totally understand the rationale behind the idea of resting it this year and want to give Simon and the team the time to do what they feel is right."
The once-popular TV show's ratings have decreased in the last few years.
He tried to give the show a revamp by creating X Factor: Celebrity and X Factor: The Band.
But neither of the spin-off shows managed to increase ratings.
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