X Factor could be bumped to Sunday nights for the Rugby World Cup

X Factor could be moved to a Sunday night slot to make way for the rugby world cup.

According to reports from the Guardian, broadcaster ITV were toying with idea of splitting the show between Friday and Sunday, but chose not to due to underperforming ratings on previous Friday night showings. 

The option is to move to the earlier 6pm Saturday slot, which would put it in direct competition with the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing. This will be something TV executives will no doubt look to avoid considering the two shows continually rival each other in the ratings stake. 

“The World Cup comes once every four years and it is only the second time it has been in England, it is lucrative and has to be a cornerstone of the schedule,” said the Guardian source. “The X Factor obviously remains incredibly important to ITV and the two big events will be worked into the schedule.”

Next year will be the 12th season of the incredibly lucrative talent show which makes ITV £100 million a year. Those crossing their fingers that this might spell the end of its long run will be sad to here that the arrangement is only a temporary one, X Factor will likely reclaim its Saturday night crown once the world cup is over