Actually the opposite happens most if the time. Audition shows for X Factor in the last few years scored higher than the live shows.

I wondered why it appeared in the first place, especially with only a four edition commission. I thought they might have been preparing to axe Cube, and Room might have been a way of softening the blow for Schofield, but it appears they've ordered more editions of Cube, so maybe they'll make a gradual transition by slowly reducing Cube's commissions, and increasing Room's commissions.

That said, I'm not sure how long Room's nature will allow it to last.

Yes, since 2011 I believe.

I think ITV is doing rather well, actually.

I've been critical of how uncomfortable he seems whenever I see Factor, but I'm not sure anyone who watches every week would even notice that very much. People get used to presenters' ways.

Personally, I'd leave Leary in the job for the final two series on the contract, then maybe look at a replacement if the show gets another three-year contract after that.

Flack and Murs provide the potential for more fake stories in the press, though. I can imagine the stuff already:

"Contestant A is going to tug Olly's hair to test it."

"Is Caroline bedding contestant B?"

We've had that already with Sarah Jane Crawford. The judges even teased her about it live on Xtra Factor. That was a low point for the show.

I think it would be more like "Louis walked in on Olly and Caroline going at it, using his dressing room."

"Olly and Caroline have the XXX Factor"

"Olly flustered by Caroline"

Two more David Walliams books to be adapted for Christmas on BBC - Billionaire Boy for 2015 and Awful Auntie for 2016

I don't think it's massively down on last year (no more than anything else on ITV) but I do think it's rating at the top end of what you'd ever expect of any of these shows. People want talent shows and there's a lot more potential for higher ratings in that genre.

I think XFactor's doing the right thing, Dermot has done nothing wrong but they need a complete fresh sweep to re-vamp the show. I hope they ditch all the judges except Cowell, get a new set and on-screen look, ditch as many cliche's as possible, and go all out to get a younger judging and presenting panel to get the younger viewers back. The show has got very middle-aged very quickly.

I received a letter yesterday and just opened it there and it's from IPSOS-MORI. They have asked if I want to be in a panel about my viewing habits, give views on TV shows and help broadcasters know more about the demographics. Would anyone here know if that sounds legit? Was going to throw it out but thought I'd ask if anyone knows of this or does it?

Yes they definitely need a new set and a fresh look for the show in terms of titles and graphics. I'd scrap Louis and wouldn't be against further changes on the panel if the right people are brought in.

I did one for Radio Use and it seemed legit so I'd say go for it if you want to

I don't think Thunderbirds would have rated very well regardless of where they'd have put it. I think the original series' appeal in recent years has been based entirely on nostalgia, and even that hasn't been on telly for years. I don't think Gerry Anderson's stuff has dated very well at all. Then it looks like it's going to be absolutely a kids show as well. People slag off RTD for soapifying Doctor Who but it's clear it meant it appealed to a far wider audience that way. I think the whole concept of Thunderbirds is going to limit its appeal.


I think it's right Dermot has gone, I think he's been on it too long and I don't think it's done him any good. Before he did it he seemed to be quite an interesting, quirky presenter and I think doing this brute of a show for so long has knocked a lot of the subtlety out of him. I think on the one hand you've got the credible DJ who supports new music and then you've got the host of the show that seems in many people's eyes seems to emphasise the vulgar and cynical nature of the music industry. I think that's been an awkward combination for a while.

It reminds me a bit of what Madonna said about David Letterman, he used to be cool but now he just sucks up to people. And hosting The X Factor seems a bit of a thankless job anyway, nobody remembers you do it and a lot of it seems to involve firefighting. It also reminds me of what Wogan said when he said he was stopping doing Come Dancing, people weren't surprised he was leaving because they forgot he was actually presenting it in the first place.

Presumably Dermot can be more open to opportunities at the BBC, including more serious stuff. It will be interesting to see what projects he does end up doing.

Yeah, like looking like a kn*b trying to dance on a red button channel.

I can see Dermot getting his own chat show soon. It would probably be quite popular, although isn't that what everybody said about Davina? I can't remember now, but I know how it ended.

I used to do it with GkNOP but got fed up with it - basically they ask what you watched for more than a few minutes yesterday then ask you to rate the programmes you watched then ask to rate particular programmes as to how did you like it did you learn anything what were the presenters like the story would you watch again etc etc

Steve, you'll be glad to know that on SNT last night they brought back the Ant vs Dec pre recorded film where they trained for the task. I know you said you liked that element.

There is a vacancy on a motoring show.

according to the Mail on Sunday hes being lined up to do a pilot of a show called The Getaway Car - a game show with pairs of contestants - along with the Stig

ITV1 have just shown a promo for tomorrow night's Corrie - no mention whatsoever of the fact that there's an episode on in an hour as well

Its all right, The lightness outside means no one is watching TV now.

Why what are they doing? sat in the garden in the cold?

You do exaggerate.

A BBQ can sort that out.

I think Dermot's agent is going to be linking him to every show on TV or in development to remind producers and commissioners that he is available - he has done so little outside of XF in the past few years that until two days ago he'd not really have been someone you'd link to do any new series. The only way I could see him doing Top Gear is in the Richard Hammond role. I can't see him anchoring that, they need someone with a far more obvious male appeal to fill Clarkson's boots.

While he won't get a job of the size or prominence of X Factor (as there aren't any of those jobs around), I'm sure "what about Dermot?" will be a phrase uttered by many producers and commissioners over the next few months. He did a good job for 8 years, has big name recognition, there will be press and public interest in his next move and it's not like he is leaving under a cloud (like Steve Jones on the US version or Konnie Huq on Xtra).

It's probably not good news for Vernon Kay or Stephen Mulhern!

Also, despite doing XF for so long, he never really felt like an ITV star - I don't think they ever moved to put him on golden handcuffs, they never really showered him with other opportunities (the NTA's being the big one, but a one off). I guess his original appointment was very much a Simon Cowell pick rather than an ITV one. But I think it potentially works in his favour as I could see him on BBC1, BBC2, Channel 4, Sky... whereas someone like Mulhern just seems so ITV.