New-look X Factor’s ratings fall 400,000

Audience ratings for The X Factor have slumped by 400,000, despite a new format designed to inject more drama.

A peak of 11.7m people tuned in to the ITV1 show on Saturday, down from last year's peak of 12.1m. For the first time, auditions were pre-recorded in front of a live theatre audience instead of just the judging panel, as in previous series. It is still the show's second most successful launch, which X Factor creator Simon Cowell put down to interest in Susan Boyle on his other hit ITV show, Britain's Got Talent.

Changes: X Factor creator Simon Cowell

He said: "Susan Boyle changed auditions forever. If she had walked on to The X Factor like it used to be, it would not have been as dramatic. Giving people a crowd to perform in front of makes it harder and more exciting."