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    X Factor viewers plummet on launch night - Daily TV round-up

    Talent show suffers worst start to a series in six years

    By Emma Edmondson | Yahoo! TV News – Mon, Aug 20, 2012 10:58 BST

    ‘The X Factor’ launch this weekend saw the show claim its lowest ratings in six years.

    Blaming the scorching weather for a fall in viewers the debut show of this year’s series had a peak of just 9.2 million viewers - with a total of 8.1 million on average.

    [Related story: Jahmene starts X Factor with a bang]
    [Related gallery: The best of this week's TV]

    The figures are the lowest count for a series opener since 2006, and down considerably from last year’s launch ratings of 12.6 million viewers.

    Slump... The X Factor Judges (Copyright: ITV)

    A spokesman said, ‘The X Factor launched on the hottest day of the year, and its audience was still over double that of the next nearest programme.’

    Saturday’s launch featured Mel B as a guest judge and Nicole Scherzinger’s debut a permanent judge.

    A source speaking to The Sun said, ‘The X Factor’s a national talking point whether the ratings are a little down or not. ITV are confident fans that missed the show will catch up on ITVPlayer or YouTube, or have it recorded to watch later.’ [Various]

    Also in today’s press

    In light of the recent viewing figures perhaps the rumours of Olympic stars gracing ‘The X Factor’ could be the show’s saving grace? Team GB winners Mo Farah, Bradley Wiggins, Sir Chris Hoy and Jessica Ennis are being lined up to star as guest mentors on the ITV1 show. ITV have apparently spent £1million on securing the foursome’s appearance on the show after Simon Cowell approached the athletes just hours after the Olympics closing ceremony. [Sunday Mirror]

    In more ‘The X Factor’ news Sharon Osborne has taken to Twitter asking fans to urge Simon Cowell to take her back on the show. Osborne, who recently quit ‘America’s Got Talent’, was reminiscing on the micro blogging site when she made the request to fans. She said, ‘To everyone who tweeted about @TheXFactor tonight, thank you - I miss you too! Tell Simon to take me back for season 10. #XFactor.’ [Metro]

    And finally ‘The X Factor’ fans have been asking where Mel B’s heart is after living up to her Scary Spice name as a judge on the show. The Spice Girl, who is known for her acidic tongue, was acting as a guest judge and refused to hold back quickly criticising any acts that did not live up to her high standards. The other judges on the launch show, Gary Barlow, Louis Walsh and Tulisa Contostavlos, nicknamed her ‘Grumpy Spice’. [Digital Spy]