Sharon Osbourne’s return to the X Factor has helped to boost the show’s flagging ratings but has done little to increase demand for tickets to see last year’s winner perform live.

Ticket market place Seatwave has reported that demand to see James Arthur live remains low and to a similar level to previous winners such as Matt Cardle and Joe McElderry who have both since been dropped by Simon Cowell owned label Syco.

Demand for the X Factor tour which will take place next year is thought to be 200 times higher than that of Arthur’s show.

A spokeswoman for Seatwave said: “Sharon's return is great news for the show ' boosting ratings. However, the winner's curse seems to be firmly stuck in place as the show's runners-up continue to outperform those who supposedly had the X Factor.

"Warning signs are there for James Arthur - the level of ticket demand we have recorded is similar to X Factor winners who were later unceremoniously dropped by Simon Cowell."