At the peak of its popularity, X-Factor seemed untouchable, with viewing figures routinely topping 10 million every episode. But oh, how times have changed, with the Simon Cowell touchstone now grappling with a dwindling audience for the past few years.

Even the show’s finale could not tickle the fancy of fans as only 5.5 million tuned in to witness Dalton Harris’s triumph. While it was a slight improvement from last year’s 5.2 million, it was a far cry from the 17 million viewers who watched Season 7’s conclusion in 2010. Overall, average X-Factor viewing figures this season failed to even crack 5 million, continuing years of decline.

The show, however, got a vote of confidence from one of its alumni — Season 6 runner-up Olly Murs. One of the show’s most successful acts, Murs just released his sixth album, You Know I Know and is looking to get one over fellow X-Factor alum One Direction for the most number one albums. He is also fully aware of X-Factor’s struggles, as well as murmurs that the show has run its course. However, he disagrees, telling the BBC that the show is “still one of the best”. The 34-year-old singer-songwriter also made it known that he would love for X-Factor to continue, pointing out that the show gives people a chance to have a career in music.

IMAGE CREDIT: Wikipedia, X-Factor album Olly Murs

"I came from that show,” Murs explained to BBC, “and I'd hate to see that be taken away because that's a dream taken away from another young lad, young girl or group out there that won't be given that opportunity." And, indeed, the show did open many doors for Murs, who was an unknown 25-year-old from Essex, before joining X-Factor in 2009. Other notable acts produced by the show include One Direction, Season 1 winner Steve Brookstein, Season 1 runners-up G4, Season 3 winner Leona Lewis and Season 8 winner Little Mix.

Unfortunately, it looks like time is up for X-Factor. The Guardian’s Hanna Verdier was even more straightforward in her assessment, suggesting that it’s time for the show to finally bow out. She pointed to its plummeting ratings, the judges’ gaffes and even the sound issues it experienced this season. All points are valid, and should Cowell decide to pull the plug on the show, its legacy will still endure. X Factor started in 2004, building on the huge success of Pop Idol and American Idol. Both proved to be massive hits and both involved Cowell as a judge. 

Pop Idol, though, could not sustain its early success, even as its spin-off, American Idol, became a reality TV juggernaut in the US. Cowell eventually created X-Factor to replace Pop Idol and the rest, as the saying goes, is history. The show’s run has been nothing short of spectacular, with the Oxford Royale Academy even describing it as ”one the most popular and most influential” reality TV contests in British history. 

Despite the show’s struggles, however, X-Factor fans can rest easy for now, as it is still under contract — for at least another season. That means 2019 might very well be make-or-break for the show. If it flounders again, then it might be time to say goodbye to X-Factor forever. 

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Written by Arden Cassey