The Xtra Factor to be AXED as ITV takes show which made household names of Caroline Flack, Holly Willoughby and Fearne Cotton off air
I AM very sad to report that a talent show institution is coming to an end.
After 12 years, X Factor spin-off Xtra Factor is being taken off the air by ITV.
It’s the end of a programme which was launched alongside the main talent show by SIMON COWELL in 2004 and has made household names of former hosts including HOLLY WILLOUGHBY, FEARNE COTTON and CAROLINE FLACK.
The decision has nothing to do with the show’s recent run — which was fronted by RYLAN CLARK-NEAL and MATT EDMONDSON.
It is purely down to ITV bosses embracing the future, as they plan to focus on a digital spin-off instead.
A source said: “The Xtra Factor has had an incredible run on TV but the producers have realised they need to keep up with the times and move with the audience.
“The majority of young X Factor fans are now consuming the show’s extra content via social media, on the official app and on YouTube, where their clips reach millions of people.
“The plan is to build on that and focus entirely on making their digital output bigger and better.
“It’s nothing to do with Rylan and Matt. They did a great job and if the show was continuing on TV they would definitely be returning.
“It’s just about the nature of how people consume TV now. ITV is already doing a very similar thing with The Voice.”
Last night a spokesman for the broadcaster confirmed the move, saying: “The X Factor is our biggest ITV entertainment show in terms of online engagement.
“We have taken the decision to move away from a linear switchover show and instead focus our efforts on our digital platforms, in support of the main show.”
While Rylan and Matt won’t be following the show online, I’m told that Capital FM’s ROMAN KEMP is likely to remain part of the X Factor’s digital plan after hosting all its online content last year.
I’ve loved going on the Xtra Factor over the years and it will be a big loss to TV.
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You just have to look at the incredible list of names whose presenting careers the show has launched over the years to see that.
According to X Factor executive producer Richard Holloway, the MD of Thames TV, the Xtra Factor has merely come to its “natural end”.
He said: “We’ve had great fun making the show and would like to thank Rylan, Matt and Roman for their fantastic and entertaining work on the last series.
“We now look forward to focusing on making great content for our social platforms in support of the main show.”
Xtra Factor, you’ll be missed.
READ ON FOR THE REST OF DAN WOOTTON'S BIZARRE COLUMN
Katie looks the Parton
FOR someone who has never had a normal job, tackling the 1980 DOLLY PARTON hit 9 To 5 must have been a stretch for KATIE PRICE.
Still, at least the huge blonde wig and tight pink suit she wore to emulate the country legend, left, is the most subtle outfit she has worn in years.
See how Katie gets on performing the song on tomorrow’s Lip Sync Battle. Thankfully, no one has to hear her sing – the Channel 5 show is all about celebs miming to famous songs.
The Loose Women star will be up against posh presenter BEN FOGLE in a series that has already seen such memorable moments as DANNY DYER performing as AMY WINEHOUSE and JIMMY CARR as LADY GAGA.
I reckon Ben will have to put up quite a fight to beat Katie on this one. Before getting all Dollied up, she wore a leopard-print top and tight leggings, inset above, to twerk along to the BLACK EYED PEAS track My Humps.
You couldn’t make it up . . .
GRAMMY LINE UP
AFTER METALLICA teased their appearance, the first pool of performers have been announced for next month’s Grammy Awards.
Joining the US rockers at the bash on February 12 will be JOHN LEGEND, CARRIE UNDERWOOD and KEITH URBAN.
Carrie and Keith are both up for Best Country Solo Performance while Metallica are in the running for Best Rock Song.
I recently told how ED SHEERAN and BEYONCE are also being lined up to sing at the ceremony in LA, which is being hosted by JAMES CORDEN.
JoJo's night Aalto
X FACTOR runner-up SAARA AALTO will need a bigger address book.
She’s already pals with ADAM LAMBERT and SHARON OSBOURNE, and now her impressive list of famous musical mates includes US star JOJO, after a backstage meeting at her KOKO gig in London on Tuesday.
A source said: “They hit it off instantly. Saara was amazed to hear JoJo watched The X Factor while working in the States and had become a big fan.”
A duet looks like the next natural step to me.
ED GETS READY TO TAKE ON THE WORLD
ED SHEERAN’s 2017 has started with a bang – and he’s expecting fireworks for the rest of the year and beyond.
He has revealed he will go on his first worldwide stadium tour, but only after he’s eased himself back in with an arena tour of new record Divide first. Ed said: “I’m very competitive and want this to be the biggest album in the world. I’m going to make sure it is.” He added: “There are a couple of things happening this summer that haven’t been announced, which are going to be the biggest things of my career. "Then I’m doing arenas this year. Next year it’s all outdoor gigs, I’m not going to be doing any arenas.” Ed’s keeping coy about what else he has got up his sleeve for this summer – on top of his headline gig at Glastonbury. I revealed last month that he will top the bill on the Pyramid Stage on Saturday night, in one of the only gigs that can surpass his three sold-out Wembley shows last year. And I guarantee that Divide is going to be the biggest in the world.
Zayn's ocean's colour scene
ZAYN MALIK is the latest celeb to bag a cameo in the Ocean’s 8 movie.
Here he is shooting scenes for the film’s Met Gala re-creation in New York yesterday, after KIM KARDASHIAN and her half-sister KENDALL JENNER did the same.
Earlier Zayn arrived at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in a tie-dye hoodie before sprucing up in this dapper white tux.
At least there was no sign of those metallic robot arms he wore on the red carpet at last year’s actual Met Gala.
BIZ METER: FILM
BOX OFFICE
LA La Land has kicked Rogue One off the top and Manchester By The Sea lands at No6. La La Land raked in £6million in its first weekend but falls just short of the record £8.12m for a musical achieved by Les Miserables in 2013.
RELEASE
BAFTA-nominated DEV PATEL and NICOLE KIDMAN are brilliant in Lion, based on the life of Saroo Brierley, who was adopted in India, taken to Australia then sets out to find the family he lost at the age of five. The extra- ordinary film hits cinemas tomorrow.
CASTING
FANS are speculating PIERCE BROSNAN has joined the X-Men universe as Cable in Deadpool 2. RYAN REYNOLDS shared a photo on Instagram posing next to Wolverine actor HUGH JACKMAN and the former James Bond with the caption: “Wolvie. Bond. Wade”.
TRANSFORMATION
MARGOT ROBBIE looks very different in her role as ice skater TONYA HARDING. New pics show the Suicide Squad star in a fat suit and facial prosthetic for the upcoming biopic I, Tonya, which charts Tonya’s success and Olympic sabotage of rival NANCY KERRIGAN.
West foot forward
KANYE WEST and JAY Z’s friendship has had more twists and turns than a trashy TV drama, but the pair are set to mark the end of their feud in the only way they know how – with a duet.
I’ve learned the hip-hop megastars are in talks to release new music.
A source said: “Kanye is over the moon to have his ‘family’ back. He is starting to feel like himself again, knowing he has the support of Jay and BEYONCE.
“Some new tracks would be fascinating given what Kanye has been through over the past year. But under the watchful eye of his mentor and ‘big bro’ Jay, it would be huge.”
Cracks began to emerge in the pair’s friendship in October, when Kanye ranted on stage at a Seattle concert about Jay not visiting him after wife KIM KARDASHIAN’s Paris robbery.
After his public breakdown the rapper was admitted to hospital and emerged with blonde hair. He is now on the mend.
He even attended Jay and Beyonce’s daughter BLUE IVY’s fifth birthday party earlier this month.
A rendition of Happy Birthday obviously got the pair in the mood for more tunes.
BIZ BITS
- JAMIROQUAI will make their UK comeback by headlining August’s Boardmasters festival, joining TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB and ALT J. It comes after I broke the news that frontman JAY KAY and co were making new music.
- VOTING for the MTV Brand New For 2017 talent contest opens today. The winner will be named on February 2 at the Electric Ballroom in London’s Camden. TOM GRENNAN, STEFFLON DON, SIGALA and THE AMAZONS will perform.
- THE Brits have boosted a lacklustre line-up by signing ROBBIE WILLIAMS to sing, despite the legend and Brit Icon winner being overlooked in the nominations, like his pal OLLY MURS. And that’s my official verdict.
Louis 'wanted to give up'
LOUIS TOMLINSON has given his first interview since losing his mum to cancer just before Christmas.
Johannah Deakin’s final wish was for Louis to make his solo debut on The X Factor, even though it was just days after she died.
His performance was praised by SIMON COWELL and his fans.
But Louis explained: “When I first found out the news, I kind of did want to throw the towel in.
“But it was my mum who said I’ve got to keep going, telling me very sternly that she wanted me to do it.
It was tough, but it was nice for me to almost have a little send-off for her.”
Johannah lost her battle with leukaemia on December 7, leaving behind Louis and six other children.
In the new chat to promote his single Just Hold On with DJ STEVE AOKI, dad-of-one Louis was asked if he wanted more kids.
He said: “Definitely. But at the moment I’m focusing on my career.”
Given that his solo debut peaked at No2, he’s off to a great start.