In recent weeks, it has been speculated that The X Factor could be set to make a return to ITV, eight years after it was taken off screens, but some stars are 'surprised' by the news11:51, 09 Sep 2026Updated 12:19, 09 Sep 2026Saturday nights could face a major shake-up should The X Factor make a dramatic return. The retired ITV talent show has been at the centre of comeback speculation, eight years after the last series ended.‌The show was responsible for catapulting the likes of Leona Lewis, Little Mix, One Direction, Olly Murs, Rebecca Ferguson and Matt Cardle to fame. But over the course of its TV run, it also attracted widespread criticism because the audition rounds often featured less talented performers.‌Despite this, at the height of its success, the show attracted more than 19 million viewers per week and featured guest performances from some of the biggest names in music. Now, two former hosts have spoken out about whether the show could return.‌During an appearance on Good Morning Britain, Dermot said: "The world has changed, and the music has changed, and how we communicate and how we watch things has changed so much in those six years. I'm fascinated as to what they'll do if they do bring it back, because it would have to be, in many ways, a very different show, but you still want the nostalgia of how it was in the first place."He went on to add: "The world has changed, and how TV's been made has changed so much, it's so interesting. And when I started on that show, it was... I remember, Simon, to be fair to me, used to get quite frustrated with it. It was always people turning up saying, 'I want to be a star. Tell me what you want me to be,' and that always used to irk him.‌"And then as it progressed, it became... and people became more... And music became sort of, I guess, more democratised. People can turn up and say, 'Well, I've got my own album, and I'm on YouTube, and I've written 24 songs, but I need a platform.' So I think, however it comes back, if it does come back, that's how it will have to come back."Meanwhile, former Xtra Factor host Matt Richardson said on TikTok and Instagram about a possible return: "I'm really surprised, if I'm honest, because, um, they are expensive shows to make, especially back then when it was getting like 10, 12 million viewers, it cost a fortune. So if they can make it cheap, then it's worth doing. And if they can make a young audience turn on the television, then it's worth doing."‌He went on to explain that ITV and many other broadcasters are "reluctant" to commission programmes that don't have a track record; instead, they look for shows that are "known brands and known entities". "I think they're hoping that a lot of people will remember it from when they were young and then re-get into it. And they'll have new judges, apparently, that are going to be very Gen Z focused," he said.Matt continued: "If it does well, it is good for television. Those sorts of shows hold up an entire schedule. When you've got something like X Factor, the things that are after it and before it get a massive bump as well, because people are getting ready to watch that or they leave it on."‌However, he stressed that the show wouldn't return to its previous level of success because of how people now consume TV. "So I'm fascinated to see what it's like," he commented. Matt went on to say: "But it's never going to be a 15-million-person-watching thing again. That just isn't how telly is anymore."I'm fascinated to see how they do it and what they do. Um, it'll be really interesting." Former judge Cheryl Tweedy commented that the show would have to be "reformatted" if it returned, as she didn't believe the public wanted it back.‌"I don't know if the public want it anymore," she told The Independent in 2023. The Let You songstress added: "It's not the same as when everyone was gathered on the sofa on Saturday because X Factor was the biggest thing on TV. So, 'I don't know' is the answer, but the public would have... it would have to be what they want."When the show came to an end, it attracted just over three million viewers, a stark contrast to its former heyday. A source told The Sun of a possible return: "Rather than creating more flop formats, they have the opportunity to give The X Factor, a sure-fire hit, a modern makeover."They can explore a younger, fresher panel, with new faces and have Cowell behind the scenes. The plan is for the show's return to take on a new life and be updated to envelop the social media generation. ITV has shown with programmes like Love Island and I’m A Celebrity... that social media is where they can inject massive viewing figures. The X Factor was one of the most iconic shows in TV history and created dozens of stars and household names who are still riding high today."Article continues belowThe source went on to claim that Talkback Thames, which produced the series, was in talks with ITV bosses about bringing the show back - and that those involved were keen for the series to be a success again.Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.