The Stage

Celebrity X Factor to battle Big Brother in ratings war

Published Friday 24 February 2006 at 12:05 by Liz Thomas

ITV is launching a celebrity version of The X Factor and will schedule it in a head to head challenge to Channel 4’s Big Brother’s dominance in the ratings.

The series will run on consecutive nights this spring with Kate Thornton hosting and will feature judges Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh. Paul Jackson, ITV’s director of entertainment and comedy, said: “The X Factor was a runaway success and united the nation in debates over the rights and wrongs of who got voted each week.

“We are in discussions with celebrities right now but are keeping some of the elements of the show under wraps. We will, however, be following the format of having under 25s, over 25s and groups… but we will decide on which celebrities make up the groups - putting different groups of people together to form a band.

“The judges won’t know who they are mentoring until the shows start - and then the gloves are off. It will be a huge treat for viewers to see the celebrities under pressure from Simon Cowell who, as we know, is honest and direct - he certainly doesn’t mince his words.”

ITV has struggled to compete with the runaway success of Big Brother and its celebrity offshoot. The X Factor will begin in May and it finishes the network has lined up a second series of Celebrity Love Island, meaning the Channel 4 hit will have a reality TV rival over its entire three month run.

Richard Holloway, head of Entertainment at Talkback Thames and executive producer of the show added: “We are thrilled to be doing this celebrity special version of the show and are lining up some great names to take part. You won’t be disappointed.”