X-Factor crumbles as Minogue is axed

By Jason Wright (Entertainment Expert)

THE future of The X-Factor was thrown in turmoil on Sunday following the shock departure of Judge Dannii Minogue.  As many of the show’s followers were enjoying last Saturday’s Eurovision Song Contest, a statement on behalf of Minogue’s publicist was published:-

     “Following discussions over the scheduling of this year’s series of The X-Factor, it is with deep regret that Dannii has to resign from her role as a judge.  This is because the scheduled audition dates for the show clash with that of Australia’s Got Talent and it would be inappropriate to travel back and forth to the venues on both sides.”

AXED: Dannii Minogue won't be returning to defend her title

     However, 48 hours later, the British press broke the story that this claim was false and that she had actually been axed by ITV in an attempt to give the show a fresh new look when it returns in August.  Neither ITV nor Talkback Thames, who co-produce the show with Simon Cowell’s production company Syco TV, has commented on the speculation.  Back in 2009, Minogue was on the verge of being given the chop in very similar circumstances and only got back in because no one else was interested in the judging role at the time.

     This now leaves Louis Walsh as the only member of the judging panel left with Cowell having limited his role due to his ongoing commitments in the US version of the show with it still being unclear as to whether he will judge a portion of the show at all.  Cheryl Cole quit last month due to growing pressure from unhappy viewers and having landed a role on the American counterpart.

     The opening round of auditions have now been postponed until a later date as bosses urgently meet to try and save the show from impending doom.  With Take That’s Gary Barlow having all but confirmed his place on the panel, attention will now turn to whoever will fill the final two places.  The latest rumours are that they will go to R&B singer Kelly Rowland and N-Dubz member Tulisa.  These moves could anger fans even more as it may be considered they don’t have the credentials to judge a show like this.  The original two favourites for the roles, Lily Allen and Alisha Dixon have now both dropped out of the running.  Allen has claimed that she has not been approached and Dixon, as expected, committed to her role on rival show Strictly Come Dancing.

     With both American Idol and Britain’s Got Talent having suffered from alarming declines in viewers, this is the last thing ITV needs but if they engineered the axe, then it is their own damn fault!  With many furious fans set to turn off in their drones, this latest scandal could spark the beginning of the end for The X-Factor.