‘The X Factor’ UK: First part of finale, including Luke Friend’s exit, draws low ratings

We cannot really sit here and say that it’s been a banner year when it comes to “The X Factor” franchise’s ratings anywhere around the globe. However, we will be honest in saying that compared to what the show draws in America during its anemic third season, the British version is a bonafide smash hit.

For the first part of its finale yesterday (including +1 viewing figures), which gave us the exit of Luke Friend, the singing show brought in just over 8 million viewers. This did put the show behind “Strictly Come Dancing,” but that is hardly a surprise given that this is the way the ratings have gone for pretty much the entire season. This is the lowest-watched finale episode since all the way back in the first season, and it just continues to show that interest just isn’t there for the show like it once was.

Could that change in 2014? We wouldn’t be surprised if some of the British tabloids finally get their wish after hoping for a major judging change pretty much every second of the day. Simon Cowell may not be able to continue on the American version of the show thanks to the woeful ratings, and this therefore opens the door up ever so slightly for a return to the original version. Meanwhile, both Gary Barlow and Sharon Osbourne are leaving, and it’s actually possible that we could see a return to the old, popular panel with Cowell, Cheryl Cole, Dannii Minogue, and Louis Walsh. Getting Cheryl would be the really hard part of it after what happened on the first season of the American show, but there has been some time that has passed and she and Simon are on better terms.

Be sure to come around the site later, as we are going to have a full review of the results show coming up.

Photo: ITV