The ‘X-Factor’ has enjoyed a slight ratings boost in its third week of series 12, with 7.55 million viewers tuning into ITV on Saturday evening. However the numbers are still significantly lower than last year's and the show is yet to go had-to-head with BBC One’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, which begins in two weeks.

X-Factor judges Ratings for the ‘X-Factor’ have been low this series despite a new judging panel.

According to The Mirror, 7.55 million watched the show live on ITV at 8pm, and then a further 359,000 caught the episode on the ITV+1 channel. However this time last year the show was pulling in 8.43 million on ITV and a further 441,000 viewers an hour later.

Next week the show will face even more competition to keep viewers hooked as ‘Doctor Who’ returns to BBC One. Then the week after things will get even tougher as the new series of 'Strictly Come Dancing' debuts.

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The ‘X-Factor’ bosses are said to be only too aware of the uphill battle they face to raise viewing figures and the show is reportedly receiving an ‘image overhaul’ already. According to the Daily Star, presenter Caroline Flack is detoxing in Portugal to prepare for the live shows, while judge Cheryl Fernandez-Versini has been told to 'sex it up'.

A source told the paper, “Strictly has so far trounced The X Factor in the war for viewers. While it’s off air for a two week break, bosses know this is their chance to boost popularity for X Factor. So they’ve keen to ensure all eyes are on the X Factor when Strictly returns. It’s a total image haul, they all want to impress.”

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The paper also reports the ‘X-Factor’ and ‘Strictly’ bosses are both trying to secure appearances from Adele and Sam Smith for the current series. If Adele was to say yes it would be her first TV appearance in years, while Sam Smith is being courted to debut his James Bond theme on one of the shows.

“Simon knows how big a ratings hit landing Adele’s big comeback and Sam’s first performance of the Bond theme will be,” a source told the paper. “They are the two biggest singing stars on the planet at the moment and he’s told his team to do whatever they must to make sure Strictly doesn’t get them."