[LunarLegend]

Simon Cowell has demanded the 'X Factor' categories change their age limits in order to accommodate more talented contestants in their late 20s.

Simon Cowell has demanded the age ranges in the 'X Factor' categories be changed.

The music mogul worries people in their late 20s are being overlooked, so the Girls and Boys groups will now feature acts ages 18-28, rather than the previous 18-25, and the Overs will be aged over 28.

A source told The Sun newspaper: "Last year's crop of wannabes was awful, largely because there were too many youngsters.

"Lots of girls and boys in their late twenties auditioned but there was no room for them because the Over-25s category had to have the quirky older ones in it to make it work.

"The show basically snookered itself, so Simon has decided to make the change. And this year there are again loads of amazing performers who are older than 25 but younger than 28.

"There is no way show bosses will make the same mistake again, so the age limits have changed.

"This year's show is now shaping up to be one of the best ever."

Contestants will be given the news of the changes at Boot Camp in Liverpool later this week.

http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/tv/news...ll-247555.html

WOW once again looks like Cowell are the producers want to do everything within their power to stop Louis from winning.

[Soppyfan]

That's only if Louis gets the overs, though.

[LunarLegend]

Originally Posted by Soppyfan

That's only if Louis gets the overs, though.

After reading this Im already convinced he has, Hope Im wrong though.

I do think the category that will gain from this will be the boys.

[Tyjet]

You're also assuming those over 28 are shit.

[LunarLegend]

Originally Posted by Tyjet

You're also assuming those over 28 are shit.

The last time we had an over 28's category back in series seven they were all shit.

[Tyjet]

Originally Posted by LunarLegend

The last time we had an over 28's category they were all shit.

Which means the same will happen this time round too?

[LunarLegend]

Originally Posted by Tyjet

Which means the same will happen this time round too?

Well I hope not but usually with X Factor history repeats it's self.

[GlassBalloon]

"The change is intended to give 26 and 27-year-olds a greater chance of making it through after they were overlooked last year."

I have no idea how this is supposed to work. The under-25s girls and boys categories are always MUCH stronger than the over-25s. The competition between the over-25s at the Judges Houses stage is usually minimal enough, a strong singer aged 26 or 27 surely has a better chance of getting through in that category than in the girls/boys categories that are usually pretty strong and tough competition?

The overs were shit in 2010 when we had this change. If Matt Cardle and Treyc were in the overs category instead of Storm Lee and Wagner, it would have made a much better category. Stupid idea.

[LandslideBrad]

They should change it to over 30's I think, its a bit weird when you talk about 'the overs' but they could be 28...

[nooneoo]

Changing the age limits... great, and this is exactly what makes Series 7 so unwatchable.

[Score]

Originally Posted by nooneoo

Changing the age limits... great, and this is exactly what makes Series 7 so unwatchable.

Series 7 was the most successful series of the show ever so it's clear why they might want to make series 9 more like that.

I remember at the auditions though it was quite widely reporte that the overs were the best category this year, so this change gets more of them in the live shows which is presumably what they want.

[LunarLegend]

Originally Posted by LandslideBrad

They should change it to over 30's I think, its a bit weird when you talk about 'the overs' but they could be 28...

Hi LandslideBrad.

This is really confuessing me I have always thought if they were to change the ages of the overs why not just use the 'over 30's' like in X Factor USA it makes more sense on so many levels.

I think there must be an act or acts around Matt Cardle's age who are going to be this years chosen one/ones or act/acts the producers think could go all the way to the end of the competition and they can't risk giving Louis a good category as it is his on screen persona to be the joke.

[Scrufox86]

I think the change is probably because the boys and girls categories are lacking to be honest. It was why the year Matt Cardle won he would have been in the overs and the overs were the best category until they changed it. Also add that last year was a disaster (mainly because of Kelly Rowland the most useless X factor judge ever). Maybe they thought the change would benefit all round this time if they announced the change before it started?

I still think the changes to the categories when a fourth judge was added were completely wrong. The under 24's should have remained and the groups category should have been split into bands (groups of three or more) and duos.

[Soppyfan]

Originally Posted by LunarLegend

.I think there must be an act or acts around Matt Cardle's age who are going to be this years chosen one/ones or act/acts the producers think could go all the way to the end of the competition and they can't risk giving Louis a good category as it is his on screen persona to be the joke.

Apart from 2005 where Louis actually won, although back then it was the 16-24's category.

[Patti-Ann]

Last time they did this both Mary and John Adeleye were chosen for the live shows. John had one of the best voices that year, unfortunately he was seen as dispensable. And so was Mary when it came to the Final - she was cheated out of a place

[unclekevo]

This backfired severely in the last series they did it, instead of having a great overs category which could have meant Treyc would have made it much further, we ended up with a terrible Overs category and some great Girls and Boys losing out at Judge's Houses, let's hope the standard of the over 28's is a lot higher this year, apparently there are loads of great Overs though so maybe it'll work out nicely.

[BinCat]

I'm guessing a few good 26, 27 year olds have auditioned, and Borelow wants them in his group, or Simon wants Nicole to win

God forbid Louis is ever given a chance of winning

[Soppyfan]

Well, as I mentioned above, Louis did win back in 2005, but that was before the 16-24's got split into Boys and Girls.

[BinCat]

Originally Posted by Soppyfan

Well, as I mentioned above, Louis did win back in 2005, but that was before the 16-24's got split into Boys and Girls.

I remember him winning then. He hasn't been given a strong contender since JLS though, has he

[Soppyfan]

Not really, not since 2008 when he did well last time.

[abrightyz]

Originally Posted by nooneoo

Changing the age limits... great, and this is exactly what makes Series 7 so unwatchable.

beg to disagree... series 7 was compelling viewing...

it would be totally breaking the laws of physics (amongst other laws) if nobody watched it avidly and then everybody just decided afterwards to make it the most successful series by actually buying the records of that series' contestants, lolz!!

[jackbell]

Originally Posted by BinCat

I remember him winning then. He hasn't been given a strong contender since JLS though, has he

All the categories should be of equal strength. It's who you pick in those categories. Some of Louis' choices - Goldie over Carolynne Poole - have been bizarre.

[LunarLegend]

Originally Posted by BinCat

I'm guessing a few good 26, 27 year olds have auditioned, and Borelow wants them in his group, or Simon wants Nicole to win

Originally Posted by BinCat

God forbid Louis is ever given a chance of winning

The new judge always wins.

[E05297535]

My advice to the producers of this show:- Don't give Louis the overs category again this year...otherwise he might just win another series then (if he picks the right acts that is...like he did in 2004 and 2005 with both G4 and Shayne Ward)!!

[jackbell]

Originally Posted by E05297535

My advice to the producers of this show:- Don't give Louis the overs category again this year...otherwise he might just win another series then (if he picks the right acts that is...like he did in 2004 and 2005 with both G4 and Shayne Ward)!!

He won in 2004 with G4?