Record viewers watch new X Factor
Monday, 18th August 2008
It seems that Simon Cowell's masterstroke addition of Cheryl Cole to the X Factor's judging panel has been a hit with viewers.
Over 10million people settled down to watched the fifth series of the talent show begin on Saturday - the programme's biggest launch night ratings ever.
A record 10.2million tuned in to see the judges Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and Dannii Minogue welcome Girls aloud star Cheryl to the fray to reject a pile of dreadful auditionees.
Cheryl was brought in to replace Sharon Osbourne who had been on the panel since the show began but quit last summer after several heated rows with Dannii Minogue.
54 per cent
And it appears Cheryl was what led viewers to watch on Saturday night, as 54 per cent of the total TV audience watched the show.
The viewing figures weren't far off what last year's final got - when 11.7million saw Leon Jackson beat Rhydian Roberts to the £1million record deal prize.
In comparison, the BBC's national lottery show later on in the evening was watched by only 3.6million.
An X Factor insider said: "This was the biggest and best launch the show has ever had.
"It should continue throughout the series."
Photo: ITV
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