Simon Cowell is considering axing The X Factor if viewers continue to abandon the show.

The music mogul quit the British version of the show to take the concept Stateside, leaving the panel in the hands of Take That star Gary Barlow, who was joined by fellow panellists Kelly Rowland, Tulisa Contostavlos and Louis Walsh.

However, the new line-up failed to achieve the huge rating figures Simon was used to and he admits he is already working on a replacement project.

Speaking at the launch of the new series of Britain's Got Talent, he said: “[I would rather the show] fall off the cliff on ­numbers than deteriorate slowly. That is like death from a thousand cuts. Now maybe that might mean with The X Factor we’d say in a year’s time: ‘Right, that’s the end of it. Let’s start something new.'

“We have got something in development which could replace it if we get to that point.

"Most things in music, fashion or TV tend to be across a 10-year period. The great test of success is if you can transcend a decade.

"I believe we can do it again if we’re prepared to be brave."

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