New-look X Factor’s ratings fall 400,000

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A peak of 11.7m people tuned in to the ITV1 show on Saturday, down from last year's peak of 12.1m. For the first time, auditions were pre-recorded in front of a live theatre audience instead of just the judging panel, as in previous series. It is still the show's second most successful launch, which X Factor creator Simon Cowell put down to interest in Susan Boyle on his other hit ITV show, Britain's Got Talent.

Changes: X Factor creator Simon Cowell

He said: "Susan Boyle changed auditions forever. If she had walked on to The X Factor like it used to be, it would not have been as dramatic. Giving people a crowd to perform in front of makes it harder and more exciting."

Gallery: X Factor behind the scenes

An X Factor spokeswoman put the ratings drop down to the "lovely weather" on the night of the broadcast. One fan of the old format said, however: "You can't hear for the audience making such a racket. It was more intimate, better TV having people just standing in front of four judges and singing."