Cowell’s ‘The X Factor’ Canceled After 17 Years

ITV has announced that The X Factor will not return to television screens after it was announced that the long-running show’s creator, Simon Cowell, had opted not to continue.

The X Factor debuted on UK television in 2004 and has since aired 445 episodes throughout 15 seasons, the most recent of which aired in 2018 introduced the careers of chart-topping artists such as Leona Lewis, One Direction, JLS, and Little Mix. The panel of judges crisscrossed the country looking for talent, solo performers, and vocal groups – for a chance to make their dreams come true.

According to The Sun, the show is being put on hold for at least five years when Dalton Harris was crowned the winner, securing the coveted recording contract before going on pause.

“At this time, there are no current plans for the next series of The X Factor,” an ITV spokesperson said in a statement shared with Variety.

The newspaper claimed late Wednesday that Cowell’s next project will be the musical quiz program “Walk The Line,” which will air on ITV and the VOD platform ITV Hub.