Entertainment juggernauts The X Factor and Big Brother are reportedly both set for a “back to basics” return.
The Daily Star has claimed that Simon Cowell and his company Syco Entertainment have signed a deal with an unnamed indie to bring The X Factor back in 2023 after five years away.
No broadcaster is yet attached, but the show is unlikely to be made for its former home ITV, which formally ended its relationship with the format last year after various spin-offs failed to take flight.
However, the broadcaster is said to be eyeing becoming the third UK home of former Channel 4 and Channel 5 reality hit Big Brother, which has also been off screen since 2018.
In moves first mooted by The Sun in April and now given further momentum by Broadcast reporting that ITV is currently in advanced talks with Banijay UK and its label Initial about reviving it, most likely for ITV2.
The latest version is said to prioritise “interesting characters” over looks, with established ITV2 hit Love Island leaning into the latter.
