By CONNIE RUSK, ASSOCIATE SHOWBUSINESS EDITOR

Published: 22:01 BST, 29 August 2026 | Updated: 22:54 BST, 29 August 2026

The X Factor is reportedly set to return, seven years after it was retired from screens. 

According to sources, ITV is said to be in talks with production company Talkback Thames about bringing the singing competition back in a bid to boost viewing figures. 

The X Factor pulled in 19million viewers during its heyday and saw contestants such as Leona Lewis and One Direction become household names. 

After 15 series, it was shelved by ITV and went on to have two spin-off series X Factor: Celebrity and X Factor: The Band. 

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It is thought head judge Simon Cowell is likely to return in some sort of capacity. 

Insiders claim the broadcaster is keen on bringing it back with a revamp after new shows The Neighbourhood and The Fortune Hotel were panned. 

The X Factor is reportedly set to return, seven years after it retired from screens (pictured judges Louis Walsh, Simon Cowell, Nicole Scherzinger and host Dermot O’Leary) 

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It is thought head judge Simon Cowell is likely to return in some sort of capacity

A source told The Sun: ‘ITV have a giant gaping hole that needs filling in its entertainment schedule, particularly over weekends when bigger viewing figures are up for grabs.

‘ITV can’t afford another disaster after the car crash of The Neighbourhood, which was colossally expensive and failed terribly. Rather than creating more flop formats they have the opportunity to give The X Factor, a sure-fire hit, a modern makeover. 

‘They can explore a younger, fresher panel, with new faces and have Cowell behind the scenes. The plan is for the show’s return to take on a new life and be updated to envelop social media generation.’

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The Daily Mail has contacted ITV for comment.  

Earlier this year it was reported Simon had signed up for a new X Factor documentary featuring behind-the-scenes footage. 

Sky has described the untitled show as a ‘definitive documentary series exploring the era-defining entertainment juggernaut’. 

The X Factor was presented by Kate Thornton, Dermot O’Leary, Caroline Flack and Olly Murs over the years. 

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Simon was joined on the judging panel with a number of famous faces including Sharon Osbourne, Louis Walsh, Dannii Minogue, Cheryl, Gary Barlow and Tulisa.

The X Factor pulled in 19million viewers during its heyday and saw contestants such as Leona Lewis and One Direction become household names

Kelly Rowland, Nicole Scherzinger, Mel B, Rita Ora, Ayda Field, Robbie Williams and Louis Tomlinson also joined him at some point over the years. 

The contestants who took part were put into one of four groups – the boys, girls, over-25s and groups. 

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And they were also mentored by a number of celebrities including Simon, Sharon, Louis, Cheryl, Dannii and Nicole. 

The show became a huge fan favourite and there have been a number of huge success stories from the singing show, which saw singers audition at the start of the series to try and make it to the live shows, which aired on a Saturday night. 

They include Olly Murs, Little Mix, One Direction, JLS, Leona Lewis and James Arthur. 

The massive mansion on the edge of the historic city of Bath is facing calls to be torn down after some locals claimed it was proof how the wealthy were able to find loopholes in the planning process

Neighbours of a “mega mansion” believed to be the biggest new-build home in Bath in 100 years are demanding it be torn down after it was built without planning permission.

The massive mansion on the edge of the historic city has been built significantly higher than what was approved, according to the residents. Tavis Hamilton, 48, lives next door to the massive house and has spent 10 years battling developers.

He is now one of more than 100 locals to object to the build, but locals fear the council has left it too late to carry out any meaningful enforcement. With the building now “topped out” and nearly complete, a retrospective application has now been submitted to “validate” the changes from the original plans.

But some locals claim it highlighted how multi-millionaires were able to abuse and find loopholes during the the planning process. Bath and North-East Somerset Council declined to comment on the build and said enforcement action would only be “considered” after the fresh application has been determined.

But Tavis said: “It is an absolute mega home – it will prob be worth more than £3million when it’s finished. It is enormous and dwarfs all the cottages. You could fit around 24 of the other cottages into the footprint.

“It has been built for the last three years but it has now been topped out so you can see the full height and scale. It just shows how unfair the process is. It seems if you put the wrong guttering on your house or use the incorrect glazing, the council jump on you for enforcement.

“But you can build this enormous structure without the right planning permission and no enforcement is carried out until it is too late.” More than 70 residents attended a recent site meeting and over 100 have lodged formal objections to the now seven-bedroom home, expressing their anger at the situation while building work continued.

Tavis, who lives there with his partner Charlotte Bolton and his daughter, said permission was initially granted for a low-lying single-storey building built into the hillside. But when the builders hit ground water they backfilled the hole with concrete, he claimed.

The end result has been a home, he describes as, “significantly higher” than planned and in a different spot. It has gone through three different owners since 2007 and multiple planning applications – each time looking to increase its height and prominence, locals revealed.

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Enforcement teams have carried out a survey and confirmed several deviations from the approved plans – including the building being higher, larger and not in the approved spot.

Tavis added: “The new application has been submitted as part of a wider game to avoid enforcement action. The changes are so significant and widespread that all the rest of the drawings from roof light location also require total update.

“A cease order needs to be applied to all works on site whilst a detailed new planning application is submitted. If this had been put in place when the concern over levels was first reported two years ago, when the concrete pad was poured, this could have been resolved then, reducing the damage that will now be more difficult and costly to rectify.”

Local residents said the orientation, siting, height, volume, footprint and surrounding landscaping all “significantly” deviate from the original plans and would set a damaging precedent in the area.

Tavis, who has lived there for 20 years, said the lane is full of very traditional Bath stone Georgian properties. He said landscaping and planting had also not been done as it should but the main source of anger was its increase in height and massing and increasing it from five bedrooms to seven.

The plot was originally sold for £1million with planning and locals believe another million must have been spent on excavation. Another “monster mansion” has also been built the other side, and Tavis said his family were now “sandwiched between two of the largest single residences built in Bath in about 100 years”.

Locals said the original developer won permission for the biggest they could do on the plot despite a number of opposition and then put it straight on the market. It was then bought by a wealthy individual who went through the process of three or four more applications to make it higher and more prominent.

Among those objecting on the council website, another local added: “It was already noted as the largest house ever approved by the council, and now apparently will include seven bedrooms.

Local ward district councillor Joanna Wright said she backed the residents wanting enforcement action. She said: “It is outrageous. They got planning permission in 2013 and they haven’t built it to that plan. They keep extending it and changing who owns it.

“The development just changes to whatever they want to do. Enforcement was involved and asked them to stop. They said they would stop but then put in a variation on the plans and on it goes.

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“I’ve wrote again to enforcement and planning but why hasn’t been dealt with by now I don’ t know.”

The applicant and house owner Thomas Worrall, of Yate near Bristol, said: “The whole street has been against me from day one. I only bought the site to build my own house with planning permission already on it. Someone else took it all to planning seven years ago.

“There have been complications on the ground and the professional builders were not able to make it work so it was a little bit higher to start with. The neighbours all seem to think I have screwed the system and been sneaky. But I am not. I’ve now pulled all my guys off site and trying to deal with the planners.

“It was just a few mistakes on site. They think I have all this money and want to play the system but that is 100 per cent not true. I just want an easy life. I want to get my house finished and move my family into it. Everything has now completely stopped on site.”

Tottenham manager Roberto de Zerbi said he was “not angry” and there was “no panic” after his side’s second loss in two games left them bottom of the Premier League – but it was a depressingly familiar story for the club’s fans.

Goals from Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa in a 10-minute second-half spell gave Newcastle a 2-0 victory, with thousands of Spurs supporters heading for the exits early.

They have every reason to be annoyed as they have now seen only three home league wins from their past 23 matches at their superb stadium.

Seventeenth in the Premier League in 2024-25, 17th in 2025-26, only avoiding relegation on the final day, but this season was meant to be different.

With more than £300m spent in the summer, Spurs fans were expecting a push to get back into Europe, having won the Europa League two seasons ago and been in the last 16 of the Champions League in March.

Instead, in the Premier League it is played two, lost two, scored none, 20th out of 20.

“We can improve in the defensive phases but today was an unfair result,” said De Zerbi.

“Disappointed for the result because until the first goal we conceded, we played better than Newcastle.

“We are disappointed for the result and [for] our fans. We are working to be a great team. When we become a team, we can change the story of the last two seasons for Tottenham.”

“Our game management, to concede two minutes before half-time and two minutes before the end is very naive, schoolboy stuff. It’s unacceptable,” said Devine afterwards

Crusaders’ positive start to the season continued as a well-executed counter-attacking strategy paid off with victory over Glentoran in east Belfast.

Glens boss Declan Devine labelled his team as naive after conceding two goals at bad times.

“Our game management, to concede two minutes before half-time and two minutes before the end is very naive, schoolboy stuff. It’s unacceptable,” said Devine afterwards.

“Livid, disappointed, I thought we caused our own problems. First half we created three or four big opportunities.

“Listen, there’s no shying away from it, we are down massive numbers in terms of the players that’s sitting on the treatment table.

“But this presented an opportunity for other people. I thought James Douglas was excellent. he showed great character and real ability to get on the ball and make things happen.

“To lose Marcus Kane and lose Ross Clarke in the first half, it just epitomises the bit of bad luck that we are going through at the minute. There’s no team in the country that could miss the players we are at the minute.”

With the pitch at The Oval slick with the rain, the Glens quickly got on the front foot and fashioned two good chances in the opening minutes, with Ben Gallagher shooting over before skipper Marcus Kane headed narrowly wide.

The Crusaders goal was living a charmed life as a mis-hit cross from Josh Kelly came back off the bar before Gallagher’s follow-up effort was cleared off the line by Graham Kelly. The visitors almost caught the Glens with a sucker punch when Adam Brooks slid a pass through for Owen Wardell to scamper clear. The winger failed to show the necessary composure, however, firing high and wide.

Back came Glentoran, with Ross Clarke heading wide from inside the six-yard box when he really ought to have scored. So too should Gallagher, when James Singleton headed the ball into his path and he opted to try to go round Shea Callister but the keeper was agile enough to make the block.

Crusaders made the hosts pay for their profligacy two minutes before the break. A fine, flowing move saw Elliot Dunlop make ground down the left flank before firing in a low centre that Waddell converted at the back post to send his side in 1-0 up.

Jordan Jenkins was brought on for the misfiring Clarke at half-time and he had an early chance when stabbing wide from Ryan Cooney’s dangerous corner.

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Crusaders continued to carry a threat on the counter, however, and when Wardell scorched down the right wing and cut the ball back, it took fine defensive work from Kelly to deny Brooks a tap-in.

The Glens were struggling for fluidity in attack but just as their fans were getting restless, they knitted together a lovely move to equalise in the 68th minute. Joe Thomson — on as a sub for Josh Daniels — chased down a ball high up on the right before rolling it back to Cooney who clipped a gorgeous first-time cross to the far post where Gallagher came steaming in to plant a meaty header past Callister.

The Crues steadied the ship and Wardell’s pace continued to cause the Glens serious problems, with one raid down the left finishing with a powerful strike that keeper Billy Crellin deflected wide.

It came as no surprise then when Wardell created the 88th-minute winner, as yet another blistering surge along the left flank saw him cross for Aaron Reid to convert at the second time of asking after Crellin blocked the initial effort.

Elsewhere, Linfield made it three wins on the spin as they beat Limavady United 2-0 at the Showgrounds.

Matthew Fitzpatrick opened his account for the season six minutes before half-time, meeting Adam Frizzell’s cross with a deft volley into the roof of the net.

The in-form Frizzell then got on the scoresheet himself after the break, heading home Dylan Wells’ cross from close range to give his side some breathing space.

Chris Johns made a fine save from Daniel Lafferty’s free-kick, although the Blues’ afternoon was marred by a serious-looking injury to defender Darragh Leahy.

Dungannon Swifts also made it three wins in a row with a 2-0 victory over 10-man Cliftonville at Solitude.

The game turned shortly before half-time when Harry Wilson was shown a straight red card for a heavy challenge on Gael Bigirimana.

Cliftonville almost took the lead despite their numerical disadvantage when Rory Hale fired wide, but Kealan Dillon broke the deadlock after Paul Doyle intercepted Liam McStravick’s pass.

Sean McAllister then capitalised on more poor defending to score Dungannon’s second. Carrick Rangers were the day’s biggest winners, hitting four without reply against Bangor at Clandeboye Park.

In Friday night’s game, Coleraine eased to a 3-0 victory at Portadown thanks to goals from Matthew Shevlin, Senan Devine and Will Patching.

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The Scottish Government has proposed a distinct Scottish visa system with immigration key to filling skills gap areas.

The Scottish Government has proposed a distinct Scottish visa system and believe immigration is “critical” to fill skills gaps in areas where the population is falling.

The SNP’s Business Minister Tom Arthur has set out proposals in a new policy paper. This includes plans for a Scottish visa, a rural visa and Scottish graduate visa to address the needs of different sectors.

Current immigration rules are reserved to Westminster and Arthur highlighted the UK Government’s closure of the adult social care visa route, saying it had created workforce shortages.

He said: “Mirroring a trend in many countries throughout the world, Scotland has an ageing population and areas where the population is falling.

“This makes immigration ever-more critical in ensuring we have working-age people to fill skills gaps, sustain public services, support communities and grow the economy.”

He continued: “A migration system designed around UK-wide averages, which is what we have now, cannot adequately respond to Scotland’s demographic and geographic circumstances.

“In the spirit of the Prime Minister’s public commitment to reset relationships with devolved governments, I have invited the UK Migration Minister to engage with me in constructive discussions to ensure that the immigration system is tailored to Scotland’s needs.”

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Tom Clare has admitted he’s still hungover on Saturday after returning home from his boozy 10-day wedding to Molly Smith in Mallorca.

The couple held their second wedding at the picturesque Son Marroig, a stunning 17th-century marble temple overlooking panoramic sea views, with boozy celebrations continuing in the days that followed. 

The newlyweds enjoyed a week of wild celebrations with their fellow Love Island pals including Sophie Piper, Joshua Ritchie, Casey O’Gorman and Mitch Taylor – with the festivities getting so raucous that the police were called at one point. 

And taking to his Instagram, groom Tom, 26, told how he’s still suffering from the effects of his alcohol-fuelled antics as he described being forced to down six tequila shots after he told his pals he’d begun to sober up. 

Speaking into the camera as he sat in his car, the reality star shared: ‘I think I may have a severe couple-of-day hangover. I’ve never drank as much in my life! 

‘On one of the final days, we went to a beach club and I said to the boys “I feel a bit sober.” The next thing I know, there’s six tequila shots and they’ve made me do them all and I can still taste it! 

The couple held their second wedding at the picturesque Son Marroig, a stunning 17th-century marble temple, with boozy celebrations continuing in the days that followed [Molly pictured]

‘So yeah, still hungover, still tired, still powering through, still feeling on top of the world and I want to sleep for days!’

Tom also gave a glimpse of the drunken shenanigans, sharing a snap of himself being hoisted up into the air by best man Casey O’Gorman and another groomsman as the celebrations got into full swing.

On Friday, fellow Love Island alumni Sophie had revealed she woke up hungover with a tequila tattoo on her foot after getting the drunken ink on a boozy night out in Mallorca. 

Sophie complained her tattoo ink was ‘so thick’ in the comments as former co-star Mitch Taylor joked ‘What is wrong with us?’

Newlywed Tom also joined in on the fun to mark the last night of their 10-day wedding party.

‘Last night vibes! What an unbelievable 10 days, married my soul mate and made memories to tell the grandkids! Magical. Oh, and got my first tattoo,’ he penned. 

Mitch’s girlfriend Hayley Griffin posted a photo of the group’s matching tattoos at the airport.

‘And this basically sums up how we ended the wedding week,’ she quipped. 

Tom, 26, told how he’s still suffering from the effects of his alcohol-felled antics as he described being forced to down six tequila shots after he told his pals he’d begun to sober up

Tom also gave a glimpse of the drunken shenanigans, sharing a snap of himself being hoisted up into the air by best man Casey O’Gorman and another groomsman as the celebrations got into full swing

On Friday, Sophie Piper revealed she woke up hungover with a tequila tattoo on her foot after getting the drunken ink on a boozy night out in Mallorca 

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The Love Island star, 27, debriefed fans after getting the drunken ink on a boozy night out in Mallorca for Molly and Tom’s wedding celebrations

After their legal ceremony in England, Tom and Molly jetted off to the picturesque Son Marroig in Mallorca for a second wedding with all their loved ones. 

The party continued with friends, family and co-stars gathering at the Suculenta Port de Sóller restaurant, where local yacht crew at the harbour reportedly grew irritated at the party and called the Guardia Civil. 

Racing driver Seb Melrose, 28, then set the record straight, admitting the police gave the wedding party a warning for jumping in the port – which is not allowed.

While for many brides a police visit during their wedding would be a nightmare, Molly seemed wholly unfazed as she served shots, cosied up to her husband and jumped into the sea in a series of social media posts. 

Best man Casey stripped down to tiny Speedos while leering gormlessly at the police officer – in images shared by Mitch, who professed his love for the party boy. 

The wedding party – including the bride and groom – were seen throwing themselves into the water, while a number of snaps showed the guests swigging drinks.

Molly and the guests were keen to document the party on social media in the wake of the visit from police – although remained unbothered by the intervention.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: “We were called to reports of a stabbing at 6.09pm on Riverside Walk. Boy, 13, taken to hospital with serious injuries.

“Two teenage boys have been arrested on suspicion of assault and possession of a bladed article. Enquiries are ongoing.”

A vessel with five people on board is “in distress” in the English Channel, the coastguard has said.

A search and rescue helicopter and boats have been launched to try to help the vessel south west of Eddystone Lighthouse off Plymouth, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said.

It said it was alerted just after 18:00 BST and a coastguard rescue helicopter and a fixed wing aircraft have been sent, together with RNLI lifeboats from Falmouth and Plymouth.

No further details are currently available about the vessel or the nature of the emergency.

A £4.2m jackpot was up for grabs in tonight’s National Lottery Lotto, with an 8pm draw followed by the Thunderball at 8.15pm.

The jackpot in the Thunderball draw is £500,000.

Lotto draws take place at 8pm every Wednesday and Saturday.

It costs £2 per play and, as well as giving the chance to win serious cash, helps raise around £30m each week for UK good causes.

The winning numbers are below. Scroll down for the results.

EastEnders has lost yet another star, as a fourth cast member has quit in a shocking move.

Pierre Counihan-Moullier, 26, made his debut as Oscar Branning on Albert Square just one year ago and quickly became popular with viewers.

But now, he’s joining the mass exodus and is due to film his final scenes at the studios in Elstree.

It comes after three other hugely popular actors were confirmed to be leaving: Linda Carter’s Kellie Bright, 50, Ravi Gulati star Aaron Thiara, 33, and Zoe Slater actress Michelle Ryan, 42.

Still, while Zoe, who debuted in 2000, is to be killed off on-screen in the coming weeks in a hugely controversial plot for the BBC soap, the door is reportedly being left open for Pierre.

‘The fans love Pierre, so this is a huge blow to the show,’ said a source, explaining that viewers are ‘still reeling from the news they are losing Kellie and Aaron’, who are ‘incredibly popular staples’.

‘It’s also interesting that signing up Pierre has been one of the better things that Ben Wadey has done,’ the insider added to The Sun.

The actor was cast by executive producer Ben, 32, following his move from Channel 4.

‘So the fact that he’s leaving is not a good look.

‘Everyone’s now hoping that the rest of the cast will sit tight for a while.’

As for when Max Branning’s son will last be seen on-screen, Oscar will remain part of Walford’s drama until at least the start of 2027.

Fans have already seen him featured in January’s flash-forward episode, which ended with Max (Jake Wood) forced to choose between saving Oscar and older sister, Lauren Beale (Jacqueline Jossa), as both his children were held at gunpoint.

Oscar was the first of returning characters to be brought back by producer Ben, who said he would be putting Oscar and the Brannings at ‘the heart of the show’ amid the famous family’s revival.

The character won audiences over with his cheeky, comedic streak and sarcasm, making him a stand-out member of the Branning brood.

He also brought chaos with him from the start, as he explored his damaged relationship with estranged father Max when they reunited.