LONDON: British broadcaster ITV said it has "no current plans" for another series of music talent show "The X Factor".
The singing competition, created by British music mogul and television personality Simon Cowell, debuted on UK screens in 2004 and kick-started the careers of chart toppers such as Leona Lewis, One Direction and Little Mix.
Its last series aired in 2018 before going on hiatus.
"There are no current plans for the next series of The X Factor at this stage," an ITV spokesperson said in an emailed statement on Thursday.
Once hugely popular, the UK show has seen ratings fall over the years.
Newspaper The Sun reported late on Wednesday Cowell was axing the series "for at least five years".
The show, in which aspiring singers aim to win a recording contract and are mentored by celebrity judges, has been exported around the world and has had various spin-offs, including a celebrity version in 2019.
Reuters
Fri Jul 30 2021

British music mogul and television personality Simon Cowell who created "The X Factor", will be axing the series "for at least five years". - REUTERS

Social media platform X down again for thousands of users, Downdetector shows
Elon Musk's social media platform X was down again for thousands of users in the United States, according to Downdetector.com.

The end of cheap palm oil? Output stalls as biodiesel demand surges
Palm oil now trades at a premium over soybean oil, reversing past discounts.

UK Minister’s visit reinforces shared commitment to secure and resilient growth
The UK and Malaysia will step up cooperation to drive economic growth through trade and investment in key sectors.

Mark Carney, crisis-fighting central banker, to lead Canada through US trade war
Mark Carney argues Canada must fight Trump's tariffs with dollar for dollar retaliation and diversify trading relations in the medium term.

China vows utmost efforts for 'peaceful reunification' with Taiwan
China will also take all necessary steps to safeguard the country's territorial integrity, it's foreign ministry says.

Hanoi bans tours on Train Street
The tourism department urges travel agencies to warn staff about traffic accident risks near train street cafes.

Room for talks on opposition MP allocations - PM
PM says issues can be raised in meetings, and the draft MoU on opposition allocations can be amended if needed.

Philippines' Duterte says he will accept arrest if ICC issues warrant
The International Criminal Court is set to issue a warrant over Rodrigo Duterte's years-long "war on drugs" that killed thousands.

May 6 decision on Najib's representation to drop RM27 mln SRC money laundering charges
The prosecution is requesting a new case management date to update on the outcome of the representation.

Doctor rearrested over multiple indecent behaviour claims
According to police, the doctor's initial remand period ends today but he was rearrested in connection with the third police report.

Malaysia has to sign at least eight protocols to use nuclear energy - MOSTI
Chang Lih Kang says nuclear energy use is regulated by international conventions and UN Security Council resolutions.

Syria's Sharaa scrambles to contain deadliest violence in years
The clashes have already killed over 1,000 people, mostly civilians, and continue for a fourth day in Assad's coastal heartland.

No plans to expand implementation of extended hours - MOH
Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni says trials at select clinics failed to ease congestion, especially in the Green Zone.

South Korean police prepare for 'worst-case scenarios' ahead of Yoon impeachment ruling
South Korea's Constitutional Court rules whether to oust or reinstate impeached President Yoon Suk-Yeol.
![[COLUMNIST] From checklists to impact: Strengthening MyPCVE with evidence & expertise [COLUMNIST] From checklists to impact: Strengthening MyPCVE with evidence & expertise](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-10/51728873693_EMIR.jpg)
[COLUMNIST] From checklists to impact: Strengthening MyPCVE with evidence & expertise
IOOI drives evidence-based research, refining training and ensuring expertise is applied through standardised frameworks.

Number of flood evacuees rises in Sabah
The flood situation in Sabah has worsened, while the number of evacuees housed in relief centres in Sarawak remains unchanged tonight.

Trump says government shutdown is possible, but expects to avert it
Donald Trump remains hopeful that a temporary funding bill will secure enough votes for approval.

Ringgit opens stronger on higher expectation of US rate cut
Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid says the US DXY dropped to 103.830 points, suggesting an upside potential for the ringgit.

MOE bans sale of vape-like candies in schools - Fadhlina
The Education Ministry would take strict action against any party found selling food that could endanger students' safety.

Mark Carney wins race to replace Trudeau as Canada's prime minister
Mark Carney won with 86 pct of votes, defeating ex-Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland in a race with nearly 152,000 party members voting.