βThe X Factorβ bosses have confirmed the start date for this yearβs series.
In a break from recent tradition, which has seen the ITV talent show launch over the Bank Holiday weekend, this yearβs series will kick off on Saturday 2 September - a week later than normal.
An βX Factorβ spokesperson has confirmed to HuffPost UK that this will be followed by a second round of auditions the following night.
Despite starting later, βX Factorβ will still have a headstart on its reality TV rival, βStrictly Come Dancingβ, which is expected to begin its new series a week later, with launch night tipped air on 9 September.
As ever, βX Factorβ begins with the auditions stage, which will once again see the musical hopefuls performing in a room setting for judges Simon Cowell, Nicole Scherzinger, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh.
Following this, theyβll go on to an arena-based Bootcamp, followed by the infamous Six Chair Challenge, at which point the remaining acts will jet off for Judgesβ Houses, ahead of this yearβs live shows.
While it doesnβt sound like executive producer Simon has tinkered too much with the auditions format this year, reports have claimed that the aspiring talent will have to compete against the clock, to allow viewers to get a better glimpse at their vocal prowess, rather than their back stories.
Some auditions were also filmed at Thorpe Park earlier this year, for reasons weβre still not entirely sure of.
Speaking of potential βStrictlyβ clashes, it was recently rumoured Simon had deliberately brought the final of βThe X Factorβ forward this year, as well as cutting the number of live shows, to avoid clashing with the βStrictlyβ semi-final.
βX Factorβ launches at 8pm on ITV on Saturday 2 September.