ITV reportedly mulls X Factor revival; Healey weighs windfall taxes on banks and oil
Unbiased summary
A report from The Sun claims ITV is in talks to revive The X Factor, possibly with a younger judging panel and Simon Cowell in a behind-the-scenes role, after the show ended in 2019. Separately, The Sunday Telegraph reports Chancellor John Healey is considering windfall taxes on banks and oil companies to address a £4.7bn budget shortfall, with a Treasury spokesperson saying tax decisions are made at fiscal events. Both stories are based on unnamed sources and have not been confirmed by ITV or the Treasury. The BBC's Sunday papers round-up also mentioned the X Factor report alongside other political stories.
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Coverage by outlet
The Mirror
centre-left
Angle
Pushes a nostalgic, fan-pleasing angle about the show's triumphant return, framing it as a 'thrill' and a 'shock move'.
Bias
Emphasises the show's past glory (20 million viewers, One Direction) and uses emotive language like 'thrilled' and 'cash cow'. Downplays the uncertainty of the report by presenting it as a definitive plan, and omits any critical perspective on the show's decline or the reliability of the source.
BBC News
centre-left
Angle
Treats the X Factor story as a minor item in a round-up of Sunday newspaper claims, giving equal weight to political stories.
Bias
Stays close to objective reporting by attributing all claims to their sources. However, it omits most details of the X Factor report, reducing it to a headline mention. The emphasis is on the Healey tax story, with the X Factor headlines included only as a secondary curiosity.
The Independent
centre-left
Angle
Frames the Healey tax story as a careful political balancing act to avoid taxing the public, while acknowledging business opposition.
Bias
Presents the windfall tax as a plausible policy to protect ordinary citizens, using phrases like 'gaping black hole' and 'protecting the general public'. Includes critical voices (Jamie Dimon, Swinney) for balance but subtly emphasises Healey's predicament. Omits the X Factor story entirely as it is outside its scope.
Daily Mail
right
Angle
Frames the X Factor return as a desperate bid by ITV to rescue falling ratings after expensive flops, with Cowell still central.
Bias
Uses pejorative language like 'giant gaping hole' and 'car crash of The Neighbourhood' to paint ITV as failing. Emphasises Cowell's likely return, whereas the source suggests he may step back. Omits the positive fan reaction and focuses on the network's commercial struggles.
The Sun
right
Angle
Promotes a sensational 'bombshell' comeback with a twist: younger judges and Cowell demoted, positioning it as an exclusive leak.
Bias
As the original source, it uses hyperbolic language ('THE X-BACKTOR') and presents the unconfirmed report as a done deal. Emphasises the novelty of a younger panel and Cowell's reduced role to generate excitement, while omitting any skepticism about the feasibility or the show's past decline.