The X Factor - The X Factor's Audience Figures Drop By 2.7 Million

Excuses for the failure to maintain viewing figures are thick and fast, the most prominent being the fantastic weather enjoyed in the U.K on Saturday. Statistics also suggest that a run of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull on Bbc1 trumped Itv's supposed big-hitters. The X Factor is arguably the biggest show in the U.K, but this weekends disappointing haul represents the lowest launch audience since 7 million viewers (37 per cent) watched the third series begin in 2006. The absence of Simon Cowell could be the reason for this loss in viewers, but considering the show is entering its second year without it's founder, Itv are having to look a little deeper to locate the origin of this painful dip.

"The X Factor launched on the hottest day of the year and its audience was still over double that of the next nearest programme," a spokesperson has said, trying to pin their problems on a sunny Saturday. "We have a great series ahead, with some fantastic talent this year that viewers can look forward to."