U-turn on legends as Xtra judge

               

X FACTOR bosses have axed plans for a fifth judge days before the first live show in another major U-turn.

Execs approached A-listers including Tom Jones, Dolly Parton, Rod Stewart and Paul McCartney to help take on Strictly.

But they have now run out of time — the latest in a string of half-baked ideas and last-minute changes.

A plan to broadcast Judges Houses live from glamorous locations around the world also had to be binned.

Rod Stewart and Paul McCartney

An insider said: “Another idea has been tossed on the scrapheap, because it wasn’t planned well enough.

“This is becoming a recurring problem. Execs come up with ratings-chasing ideas on a whim, not thinking whether they will be possible, leave it too late and then ditch them.

“The fifth ‘legend’ judge was a strange idea, borne out of a fear Strictly was pulling far ahead in the ratings.

“Up until a couple of days ago it looked like it would happen. Simon was keen. It really doesn’t look good.”

Tom Jones and Dolly Parton

An overhaul of the show after last year’s series saw Louis Walsh and Mel B dumped for Rita Ora and Nick Grimshaw, who has been criticised for being “boring”.

In another bizarre planned gimmick, judges will wield Strictly-style scoring paddles.

Our source said: “It seems a bit desperate. X Factor needs to stick to what it’s good at.”

An X Factor source said: “Each year we discuss potential changes. The fifth judge was simply an idea discussed internally which we decided not to proceed with for now.”

Can Rita get their ratings thigher?

Boots boost ... Rita

RITA Ora, 24, can surely boost ratings in her X- rated boots, as she goes to a London film show. Ask anyone who likes viewing figures!