THE X Factor reboot with Simon Cowell has been “axed” after months of talks at ITV, it has been reported.

In August The Sun told how ITV show The X Factor was set for a bombshell return after seven years.

But, according to the Mirror, the planned comeback is off the table for now.

Insiders told the publication: “They are always pitching it. It’s safe to say that everyone is well aware of Simon’s desire to bring it back – he’s incredibly keen. But right now, the time is not right.

“It is maybe one for further down the line. They’ve pushed for it to return since the moment it ended.

“But it hasn’t been long enough so it won’t be happening any time soon.”

During its run from 2004 until 2018, The X Factor produced stars including Little Mix, Leona Lewis, Olly Murs and Alexandra Burke.

In 2019 the show returned with a celebrity special won by former Towie star Megan McKenna.

Judges were already, or became, household names, with Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh joining Cowell at the start in 2004.

By 2019, with The X Factor: Celebrity, Nicole Scherzinger had joined Simon and Louis, with Dermot O’Leary as host.

The rights to The X Factor are owned by Simon and distribution company Fremantle, who run Talkback Thames.

Simon has signed up for a Sky documentary about the show, with production firm 72 Films, along with other former judges such as Cheryl Tweedy. It is due to air next year.

An insider said: “The celebratory documentary is going to explore the cultural phenomenon that The X Factor was and is likely to remind fans about its success.”