X Factor host Dermot O’Leary says the show won’t be returning in 2021

It could be 2022 before the show is back on our TV’s!

Author: Hannah FarrellPublished 7th Dec 2020
Last updated 7th Dec 2020

X Factor host Dermot O’Leary has revealed that the long running talent show won’t be back on our screens next year.

Dermot, who has presented the show on and off since 2007, said he had ‘no idea’ when the series would return, but he said it would ‘definitely’ not be in 2021.

Like many shows, this is due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the difficulties this has caused for production teams.

When speaking on Sunday Brunch yesterday (6th December) Dermot spoke about the logistical difficulties around filming the show during a pandemic. The X Factor has public auditions, travel preparations for the Judge’s House round and arena performances, therefore under current regulations filming can't go ahead.

Dermot added that it’ll be 2022 at the earliest before we see the show back on our screens. When asked if he will be back on presenting duties he said “If I knew, I’d tell you, because I’d be happy. I’ve no idea?”

Scroll through to see all the The X Factor winners' singles:

2004: Steve Brookstein - 'Against All Odds' (Over 25s)

Steve Brookstein's winning single debuted at Number 2 in the UK charts behind Band Aid 20's 'Do They Know It's Christmas', the following week it went to Number 1.

2005: Shayne Ward - 'That's My Goal' (16–24s)

Shayne Ward was the second winner of the competition and released an original song - whereas most winners released the covers. 'That's My Goal' became the fastest-selling song of 2005!

2006: Leona Lewis - 'A Moment Like This' (16–24s)

According to reports, 1 million copies of the single were pre-ordered by stores and it was downloaded 50,000 times within 30 minutes of being available online! It reached Number 1 in both the UK singles and download charts.

2007: Leon Jackson - 'When You Believe' (Boys)

The single was another successful winners' single getting to Number 1 in the UK and becoming a Christmas Number 1.

2008: Alexandra Burke - 'Hallelujah' (Girls)

Alexandra's 'Hallelujah' became a Christmas Number 1 for the fifth X Factor winner.

2009: Joe McElderry - 'The Climb' (Boys)

After winning the competition, Joe McElderry's version of 'The Climb' went to Number 1 in the UK. The song was a cover of the Miley Cyrus song which was also released in the same year and featured in Hannah Montana: The Movie.

2010: Matt Cardle - 'When We Collide' (Boys)

Matt Cardle won the seventh series of The X Factor and released his cover of 'When We Collide' (original title - 'Many of Horror'). The song reached Number 1 in the UK and became the second bestselling single of 2010.

2011: Little Mix - 'Cannonball' (Groups)

They might be releasing Number 1 songs here, there and everywhere, but back in 2011 Little Mix won The X Factor and released 'Cannonball'. Unlike past winner's singles, the song wasn't released during the week of the popular Christmas Number 1 battle. The song debuted at Number 1 becoming the fastest-selling single of the year.

2012: James Arthur - 'Impossible' (Boys)

James Arthur's cover of 'Impossible' was released immediately after he won the ninth series of The X Factor. The single became the fastest-selling winning single from The X Factor!

2013: Sam Bailey - 'Skyscraper' (Over 25s)

'Skyscraper', originally sung by Demi Lovato was released by 2013's X Factor winner, Sam Bailey. The song became a Christmas Number 1 with all proceeds from the single going to Great Ormond Street Hospital and Together for Short Lives.

2014: Ben Haenow - 'Something I Need' (Over 25s)

Once again The X Factor winner hit the top spot for Christmas in 2014.

2015: Louisa Johnson - 'Forever Young' (Girls)

Louisa Johnson released her version of 'Forever Young' however, unlike many of the previous winners' singles it didn't make the top spot, only reaching Number 9 in the UK.

2016: Matt Terry - 'When Christmas Comes Around' (Boys)

Written by none-other than Ed Sheeran and Amy Wadge, 'When Christmas Comes Around' was The X Factor's second ever original song to be released as the winner's single. It debuted at Number 3 in the UK.

2017: Rak-Su - 'Dimelo' (Groups)

'Dimelo' was yet another original single to be released as an X Factor winners' single. It reached Number 2 in the UK, being kept off the top spot by Ed Sheeran's 'Perfect'.

2018: Dalton Harris featuring James Arthur - 'The Power of Love'


However, the good news is that there are plans for The X Factor to return after earlier this year there was doubts around the future of the talent competition. In February this year, Simon Cowell announced plans to ‘rest the series’ after last year saw two different versions on our TV’s, X Factor: Celebrity and X Factor: The Band, which failed to achieve the ratings the series used to.

Simon broke his back in three places in the summer after falling off his electric bike whilst testing it out in his Malibu home. As a result of his injury Diversity star, Ashley Banjo, stepped in as a judge on this years Britain's Got Talent for Simon. After such a bad injury Simon will surely need the extra year off from his TV show commitments.

Hopefully it won’t be too long before the talent show is back on our TV’s again!

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