X Factor loses 1m viewers (and 5 weeping wannabes) as viewers tire of ad break overload
By Sara Nathan and Holly Thomas
Last updated at 12:05 PM on 10th October 2011
The X Factor started jettisoning acts from its live show last night.
But producers may be more concerned at the near-million viewers who seem to have left voluntarily.
The slump came after fans were forced to endure advert and promotional trailer breaks that filled more than a fifth of Saturday night’s programme.
Last month, the Mail revealed how viewers were left furious by the colossal number of ad breaks in ITV’s flagship period drama Downton Abbey.
Waterworks: Tulisa Contostavlos broke down in tears as she announced that she was eliminating girl duo 2 Shoes on The X Factor last night
Too much: But the drama of Kelly Rowland eliminating 16-year-old Amelia Lily wasn't enough to keep viewers entertained
Anxious to cash in on the programme’s popularity, the broadcaster crammed a quarter of Downton’s 90-minute slot with ads and cross-promotion.
The X Factor was watched by a peak audience of 12.7million on Saturday night – a huge drop on the 13.5million who tuned in for the first live show of last year’s series.
There were a total of eight promotional breaks during the two-and-a-half-hour show, which meant viewers had to put up with more than 30 minutes of adverts and trailers between 7.30pm and 10pm.
At some points, viewers saw just seven minutes of live performances before the next four-minute commercial break cut in.
Interruptions: Viewers are apparently getting cross with the constant adverts during the show, including the Yeo Valley advert
The X Factor had so far managed to keep ratings up throughout the audition episodes following the departure of show supremo Simon Cowell, 52, and fellow judges Cheryl Cole, 28, and Dannii Minogue, 39.
Switching off: While Simon Cowell is over is the U.S. launching the American version of the X Factor, back home viewers are switching off due to ad break overload
New judges Gary Barlow, Kelly Rowland and Tulisa Contostavlos have so far proved a hit, but a show insider said: ‘We always knew the proof of the pudding would be in the live shows.
‘It was a big ask for Gary Barlow to step into Cowell’s shoes, and he did incredibly well. But for pure bite and bitchiness, there is no one like Cowell.’
The X Factor’s Saturday audience represented an impressive 49 per cent of the available TV audience.
The BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing failed to come anywhere close – peaking at 9.7million and drawing an average of 8.6million after going head to head with the X Factor for half an hour.
An ITV spokesman said: ‘We’re pleased that 12.7million viewers enjoyed Saturday’s The X Factor as 16 acts performed on the first live show of 2011.
'Audience levels rose through the show as The X Factor continued to be the UK’s most popular Saturday night show.’
Referring to the adverts, the spokesman added: ‘Advertising within the show fully complied with Ofcom’s code on the scheduling of television advertising.’
Saturday’s show still managed to beat the previous week’s Saturday episode of the X Factor, which showed the judges picking their finalists.
That episode drew a peak audience of 11.8million, with an average of 10.1million. However, the live shows are usually expected to rate better than the pre-recorded episodes.
It was a tense opening to the night's show, and the judges had clearly felt the weight of their decision over the past 24 hours.
Tulisa, who said she hasn't slept a wink told Dermot: 'I've changed my mind twice today, made my mind up half an hour ago.'
Time to say goodbye: Essex girl duo 2 Shoes were kicked off the show
Marching orders: Soldier Jonjo Kerr is comforted by host Dermot O'Leary after Louie Walsh chose him to leave the show
Out: James Michael's (left) sad eyes sum it up and upset Amelia Lily bows out of the show
But the choice had to be made, and it was with many tears that Jonjo, James Michael, 2 Shoes and Amelia Lily said goodbye to their X Factor dream.
AND NOW THE JUDGES LOSE IT...
X Factor judge Gary Barlow went berserk at producers backstage after the first live show.
The judge, who had been on air for two-and-a-half hours, even refused to be interviewed for spin off show the Xtra Factor.
A source told the Daily Star: 'Gary hurled his toys out of the pram and threw a fit.
'People were shocked it was Gary throwing the strop because he is so evenly tempered.'
And when producers managed to sweet talk the drained judge onto the Xtra Factor couch viewers were shocked when he launched into a scathing attack at a caller named Deano.
Deano had said the Gary should be less serious.
Last night ITV1 dismissed Gary's backstage strop as a misunderstanding.
A spokesman told the Daily Star: 'There was a chaotic misunderstanding after Gary was told he was cleared to go for the night. Gary doesn't have any plans to quit. He is really enjoying the show.'
The judge, who had been on air for two-and-a-half hours, even refused to be interviewed for spin off show the Xtra Factor.
A source told the Daily Star: 'Gary hurled his toys out of the pram and threw a fit.
'People were shocked it was Gary throwing the strop because he is so evenly tempered.'
And when producers managed to sweet talk the drained judge onto the Xtra Factor couch viewers were shocked when he launched into a scathing attack at a caller named Deano.
Deano had said the Gary should be less serious.
Last night ITV1 dismissed Gary's backstage strop as a misunderstanding.
A spokesman told the Daily Star: 'There was a chaotic misunderstanding after Gary was told he was cleared to go for the night. Gary doesn't have any plans to quit. He is really enjoying the show.'
Louis' first choice to go through to the next round was Sami Brookes, who was not among his original final four, but wowed the judges the previous night with her performance of the Yomanda classic You're Free.
Next through was an ecstatic Kitty Brucknell, after which Louis said: 'This was not easy, I agonised, but at the end of the day I have to keep the person I think the public will like most.'
The judge picked Johnny Robinson, eliminating Jonjo Kerr, who failed to impress last night with his forgettable rendition of the 1964 Kinks hit 'You Really Got Me.'
As the soldier told Dermot 'I could have done better' Louis chipped in with a contrived-sounding: 'I changed my mind twice as well today.'
Gary was more business-like in his announcement, first boy first putting through Marcus Collins, followed by Craig Colton, who the Take That singer said had given the best performance last night.
The judge continued: 'I've really based this on last night, I found last night very useful'
'There are only four left we're at such a high level here,' he added.
The last boy Gary put through was 'hearthrob', Frankie Cocozza eliminating James Michael.
James had divided the judges with his interpretation of the Beatles classic 'Ticket To Ride' last night.
Dermot asked him how he felt, but the singer was unable to speak, and with tears streaming down his face said: 'I'm just going to cry.'
And there were more waterworks to come during the group elimination, as Tulisa choked: 'I've spent the last 24 hours crying tears, tearing my hear out. You're my friends, I can honestly say that.'
The first group the 23-year-old put through was girl foursome Rhythmix, followed by boy band The Risk, who whooped as they crossed the stage.
Tearing up further, Tulisa said that she had been a 'little disappointed' in the next group's performance the previous night, but based on their potential put Nu Vibe through, eliminating girl duo 2 Shoes.
Used to it? Louis said that this part of the show was 'the worst' but there was no signs of tears from the X Factor old-hand
Consolation: The Nu Vibe boys hugged 2 Shoes after their elimination
Tulisa started to cry along with her act as the girls' performances were shown on screen.
She told them: 'I can't even find a reason why, but I had to pick an act. I swear I want to stay in touch with you.'
The Essex pair had performed Girls Aloud hit Something Kinda Oooh from inside a pink Peugeot and a stage full of topless male dancers.
Thrilled: Craig Colten looked delighted to be going through
Safe bet: Tulisa's group The Risk are thought to the next round
Kelly said as she announced her choice: 'This was so touch of a decision to make.' The Destiny's Child star picked 16-year-old Janet Devlin first, followed by Misha B.
Before she revealed her final choice she broke down in tears, telling the last two: 'I want you both to know that you are such stars.'
But 16-year-old Amelia Lily, who opened Saturday night's show with a sensational performance of Billie Jean, was eliminated, with Sophie Habibis, who performed Katy Perry's Teenage Dream through to the next round.
Disbelieving: 16-year-old Janet Devlin always seemed a shoe in to get through, but looked nervous all the same
Joining in: Girl group Rhythmix got through, but cried anyway
'Gutted' Frankie Cocozza comforts love interest Amelia Lily as she becomes one of X Factor's first casualties
By Sarah BullLast updated at 12:25 PM on 10th October 2011
They had been tipped to become one of this year's hottest couples on The X Factor.
But Frankie Cocozza and Amelia Lily's budding romance came to an abrupt end last night when the pretty 16-year-old singer became one of the first contestants to be voted off the show.
And, leaving the TV studios last night, the upset on 19-year-old Frankie's face was clear to see as he trailed behind his pink-haired love interest following judge Kelly Rowland's decision to boot her off the ITV programme.
'Gutted': Frankie Cocozza couldn't hide his disappointment as he trailed behind rumoured love interest Amelia Lily after she was axed from The X Factor
After being one of the four acts cut from the show last night, Amelia said this isn't the end of her musical career.
She said on The Xtra Factor: 'I’m just looking at the whole thing as being a massive experience and what an opportunity. This is just the beginning for me and I’ve loved it from day one.
Struggling: Frankie and Amelia both looked heartily disappointed as they left the television studios
Budding romance: The pair were reported to have sparked up a close friendship during their time in bootcamp and living together at the X Factor house
'The highlight of this experience was meeting all the contestants. I love them all in individual ways and the hardest thing is saying bye to them.'
But not everybody took the decision well, with many fans taking to Twitter to express their disappointment over Amelia's departure from the X Factor.
One fan wrote: 'So gutted! She deserved to go through more than anyone! Kelly is gonna regret not taking her through!!'
Feeling the pressure? Craig Colton, who narrowly made it through, was spotted puffing on a cigarette after the elimination
You've made it! A clearly relieved Craig is congratulated by judge Kelly Rowland after the show
It had been reported earlier this week that heartthrob Frankie and Amelia had struck up a close friendship while living in the X Factor house in Hertfordshire.
A source for the ITV show told The People: 'Frankie and Amelia are an item it is early days but they are enjoying one another’s company a lot.'
Frankie was branded a womaniser after his first audition saw him brandishing his bottom, which had the names of girls he had slept with during a summer in Crete, to the audience.
Safe for another week: Girl group Rhythmix narrowly escaped the axe
Smiling through: Misha Bryan and Sami Brookes were saved by the judges
And while Jonjo admitted on ITV's Daybreak this morning he was surprised to have been eliminated, he is moving on from the competition.
He said: 'I'm never bitter because I've accomplished so much in my life and I've got lots of time to do things.
'It's a good experience to say that I've done it but I just wish I could have done a bit more.'
Strain: Judge Gary Barlow looked weary as he made his way home after the show
Hugs all round: Judge Louis Walsh appeared in good spirits after last night's show
The 27-year-old soldier said: 'I didn't think my performance was belting at all but I didn't think it was that bad - it could have been worse.
'I've never gigged at all. I've done karaoke in my mate's pub and we used to mess around quietly on a Wednesday night but that's it.'
Jonjo also revealed he was encouraged to take part in The X Factor by the Ministry of Defence after he took part in a talent competition at work.
Famous faces: The Xtra Factor host Olly Murs and Daybreak presenter Kate Garraway were also seen outside the studios
'I'd like to do some entertaining of the troops and I'd love to do something like that to keep the morale up.
'I love being a soldier, I'm dead proud of my job but while I'm in the public eye I just want to see what happens and ride that out. And when it all quietens down, I'll go back to work.'
But James Michael, who became the first to be voted out of judge Gary Barlow's boys category, wasn't so understanding of this year's shock twist which saw four of the contestants sent home in the first week.
Hats off to you: Marcus Collins, who is through for another week, and former X Factor winner Matt Cardle
'I think I would have done Gary proud. Definitely improved. I wanted to bring my own style in and my own voice in properly. That's all I wanted to do.'
And Essex-girl duo 2 Shoes were the group chosen to leave the competition, with judge Tulisa Contostavlos admitting she didn't see where else the girls could go in the competition.
2 Shoes, made up of Lucy Texeira and Charley Bird, said after being voted off: 'We are just so proud that we made it this far and this whole journey has been amazing.
'We are the best of friends and this has brought us closer.'
Tulisa added that while 2 Shoes' X Factor journey might be over, she has a good idea for where else their talents would be appreciated.
She said: 'They should join The Only Way Is Essex. That’s not a bad thing. That’s my favourite TV show of all time. They should be singing on there.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2047324/X-Factor-2011-Frankie-Cocozza-comforts-Amelia-Lily-shes-voted-off.html#ixzz1aNqzSIt2
