There will be no expense spared on the new series of The X Factor as Simon Cowell is determined to beat Strictly Come Dancing in the Saturday night ratings war.
The new ITV series is reported to be costing £20m as the music mogul is keen to overhaul the show to try and win back viewers.
A source told The Mirror: “This is costing ITV a huge expense, it will be one of the most expensive shows on TV.”
Recent series have had disappointing audience numbers, while the BBC’s dance show has been going from strength to strength as a family favourite.
Much of the money has been spent on securing a new X Factor judging panel.
Last week, it was announced that Robbie Williams and his wife Ayda Field will be joining the show, along with One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson.
Robbie and Ayda are said to have secured a £10m deal to be mentors, having originally pushed for £12m.
“ITV were so convinced that Robbie and Ayda would be a ratings hit they weren’t bothered about pulling out the big bucks. Everyone, including Simon, thinks it’s going to be a success,” the Mirror’s insider said.
Robbie, 44, joked last week “there are literally millions of reasons” why he and Ayda signed up for the show.
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Meanwhile, Louis is said to be making £4m to become an X Factor judge on the show which made him famous, while Simon is also getting a pay rise.
There will also be extra money in host Dermot O’Leary’s pay packet.
Extra expense has also come from having to break the contracts of former judges Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne.
The pair had signed three year deals but had only appeared for two series.
The Irish manager said he would need be to paid off when it was first rumoured he would be axed.
He told The Sun in April: “My contract is watertight. I’ve checked it out with someone and have told Simon that. I have spoken to Sharon. She’s said they can only sack us if they pay us.”
Since then, it has been announced Louis is leaving the show to become Ireland’s Got Talent’s head judge, while Sharon will return to new series of The X Factor – but only for the live shows.
The Mirror also reports that the format of the show will change this year as there will be no Boot Camp.
Instead, the singers will have to work extra hard to impress the judges on their first audition to go through to the dramatic Six Chair Challenge.
Their source said: “It’s going to be more competitive than ever as those who get through the auditions will have to be the best of the best to survive the Six Chair Challenge.
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“It’s all part of freshening up the show to match the new panel. It will add loads of drama and really spice things up.”
And of course, the show will still be all about finding the best singing talent having previously found the likes of Olly Murs, Little Mix and One Direction.
ITV scouts have already held auditions in Spain and Tenerife for the first time to find undiscovered talents in expat communities there, while the auditions in front of the new panel started last Wednesday.
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