THE X Factor could be facing the axe after years of plummeting ratings, according to reports.
Media reports on Thursday claimed the hit ITV show, which has been running since 2004, had fallen victim to continually falling viewing figures in recent years.
The news comes just months after it was revealed that BBC One's The Voice will move to ITV from 2017.
The channel revealed in November that it had signed a three-year deal to broadcast the talent show, an ITV 2 spin-off show and two series of The Voice Kids.
The news came as the show's panel was given a shake-up with Welsh singing legend, Tom Jones exiting along with singer, Rita Ora.
The pair were replaced by Paloma Faith and Boy George, who joined existing celebrity coaches Ricky Wilson and Will.i.am.
The BBC's final season of The Voice UK is currently running with the last series watched by eight million viewers.
Ahead of its move to ITV, sources this week claimed that The X-Factor could be rested in 2017 for a time.
However it was reported that it might not return at all if The Voice finds success at its new home.
The 2015 series of The X Factor ended with all time low viewing figures.
Just over eight million viewers tuned in to see Louisa Johnson take the X-Factor crown.
This was down more than a million from the previous year's finale and around half the 15 million who watched the 2009 final.
On average, the series was watched by 6.8million viewers compared to the sixth series in 2009, which was watched by 12 million each week.
An ITV spokesman said: "The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent contracts come up for renewal after the last series airs later this year and we will be sitting down to discuss new deals for 2017 and beyond in the near future".
