Today (6th June), Simon Cowell, the creator and executive producer of The X Factor franchise has revealed the US version wasn’t axed after all.
The show began in 2011, with audiences of around 12 million viewers, lasting for 3 seasons, producing stars such as Alex & Sierra and Fifth Harmony.
But in 2013, the reality show was historically ‘dropped’ by FOX, which was presumed to be the result of falling ratings.
Speaking at People, Simon claimed the TV network offered him a Fourth series, of which he refused.
“The interesting thing is everybody thinks X Factor was cancelled – that wasn’t the case. What happened was that after three years, I said, ‘I can’t do this any more’ – it was just too many shows. Fox offered us another season, but I couldn’t do it, so that’s why we stopped the production, because I couldn’t do it any more.”
He then continued saying: “Even though the numbers weren’t as good as we hoped, in today’s climate they were brilliant figures – we just didn’t realize it at the time!”
The show was cancelled the day after the announcement of Cowell’s return to The X Factor UK, after he admitted the US version made him ‘tired’ and was no longer fun.
But after 3 years of disappearance in America, Simon Cowell returned to join the panel for America’s Got Talent’s 11th series.
Saying of him return: “I started to enjoy doing the UK shows again, and then I really felt mentally, physically, this is the right time to do this in the States again.”
AGT continues on 7th June on NBC, whilst The X Factor UK is back around Autumn time, were it will feature the return of Dermot O’Leary, Sharon Osbourne, Louis Walsh and Nicole Scherzinger along with Simon himself.
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