Sam Bailey: It’s time for The X Factor to change up or say goodbye

The latest TV figures show that X Factor struggled to keep pace with not only Strictly Come Dancing and I’m a Celebrity at the weekend but also Countryfile.

No offence to any of those shows but it does seem that The X Factor is coming to the end of its shelf life if that’s going to be the case.

It’s been a great platform for launching new talent over the years and I wouldn’t be stood in my extended kitchen without the show, but it seems to have gotten a little stale and unless there are drastic changes afoot it might be time to pull the plug.

ITV have snapped up The Voice from 2017 and if that doesn’t put a rocket up Simon Cowell’s bum, nothing will.

I think they need a new panel with some really credible judges and it’s time to go back to having genuine contestants from the streets on the show rather than those who are kind of ‘in the business’ anyway.

It’s also time that song writing and musicianship were encouraged and involved. Yes that makes it a different show but the one we currently have clearly isn’t working anyway.

I think if you had people like Noel Gallagher, Tony Hadley or Tom Jones or even brought back Gary Barlow there would suddenly be a real air of credibility about the show.

Yes, the younger viewers might not know who these people are at first but I’m not sure kids were all that familiar with the likes of Simon or Pete Waterman when these talent shows first made a comeback.

With the current panel there’s no-one that makes you stop and think ‘wow, I can’t believe I’m going to be working with this person’.

I was over the moon to work with Gary Barlow. I loved him growing up and was amazed to be working with him and getting constructive criticism from someone with such experience. I wouldn’t have that same feeling if the comments were to come from the likes of Nick Grimshaw.

The X Factor in America has already been axed and it’s just a matter of time until they pull the plug on our version unless there are some drastic changes.

I wouldn’t say a bad word about Simon as he has been a constant source of ideas for the show but everything has a shelf life.

I think they should ask the viewers what they want and maybe have one last throw of the dice next year.

It was Anton’s time to go but Grimmy needs to wise up to the music scene

Grimmy v Anton was the main talking point from last weekend’s show and I feel for Anton as I faced the same criticism when I was the show. For me I had Robbie Williams saying he couldn’t work out where I would fit into the market and Nick Grimshaw has said the same of Anton.

I have to say I don’t agree though. While I do think it was the right time for Anton to leave the show Grimmy needs to realise that the music industry is much bigger than just Radio 1.

Radio 2 has a huge audience too and plays plenty of artists who can boast number one singles and albums and there are various other means for artists to find an audience and connect with fans.

I actually think Anton gave his best performance of the series on Saturday and it’s clear he does have an incredible voice.

At times though he can pull funny faces or make weird noises with some of his vowels and it can be off-putting. He comes across as a bit clubby at times – and I’d know as I’m from that scene – and I don’t think he was ever going to go on and beat the likes of Louisa, Che or Lauren.

He sang his heart out and stuck up for himself though and for that I was really proud of him.

He shouldn’t let the comments get to him. Personally I haven’t listened to Radio 1 since Chris Moyles left. When he stopped I didn’t want to listen anymore. I was used to listening to Chris Moyles and his whole crew so I’m listening to Radio X now.

There’s nothing in the Lauren v 4^th Impact drama

A lot has been made of Lauren pushing one of the 4^th Impact girls during the results show but I think it’s been blown out of proportion. She’s one of the best-liked girls on the show and just wanted to see what was going on as she was so shocked that Che was going to have to sing for survival. We all were! I think he was incredible again.

Once again though it is a TV show first and the drama of seeing someone with such talent fall down the order might just get people interested and voting again.

Mason Noise a ‘visionary’? – I don’t think there’s a market for him

Nick Grimshaw referred to Mason Noise as a visionary as he was dumped out of the show and I can only think that he was scrambling around for some words of encouragement.

I just don’t think there’s a market for him. His eyes don’t connect or tell a story. He just seems to stare straight ahead as he sings and shows very little emotion.

Girls will love him as he’s got the look but that has a shelf-life and as a performer I don’t think he stood out or is good enough to make a mark on the industry. I could be wrong and we’ll see him sell two million records in 2016 but I can’t see it at the moment.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim up to £50 in free bets.