X-Factor Suffers Lowest Opening Show Viewing Figures In 6 Years

Some of us may have tuned in to watch the reality television series’ comeback on Saturday, but it seems that more of us didn’t.

‘X-Factor’ bosses saw ratings drop by 3.4 million as the new series launched on Saturday.

The ITV talent show, which features new judge arrival Nicole Scherzinger, returned for its ninth season over the weekend. The show had a peak of 9.2 million and an overall average of 8.1 million viewers, the lowest for the series opener since 2006.

In comparison, last year’s season opener was watched by 12.6 million. But bosses claim they’re not worried by the figures as they said it was down to the sunny weather the UK had over the weekend.

A spokesman for 'The X-Factor' said: "The show launched on the hottest day of the year, and its audience was still over double that of the next nearest programme. We have a great series ahead, with some fantastic talent to look forward to."

Saturday's show featured upcoming stars such as 16-year-old hopeful Ella Henderson, who dedicated her performance to her late grandfather.

Ella said if she makes it through to Judges' Houses stage of the competition, she wants Tulisa to be her mentor.

She said: "After my audition, the warm presence I got off Tulisa, it swerved me that way."

Her audition currently has over 400,000 views on Youtube.

Ella Henderson's audition for 'The X-Factor' show pulled on a few heart strings...

The show also caused major controversy as Pink impersonator, Zoe Alexander, sang a Pink song before Louis requested her to sing a different song. The blonde Welsh girl attempted to sing Emile Sande’s ‘Next To Me’ before receiving four ‘No’ votes from the judges.

Zoe took rejection badly and started shouting at the judges that they had asked her to sing the Pink song. Tulisa denied the comment on behalf of the judges before Zoe flung the microphone on the floor and stormed from the stage hitting cameramen as she ran. She was arrested by police after the show.

The incident sparked controversy as viewers debated whether the singer had been requested to sing a Pink song by producers of the show.

Irish viewers may still stay tuned in to the show to see the Tullamore mum-of-one make it through to bootcamp.