The X Factor had viewers hooked every weekend (Picture: ITV)

The X Factor could be making a surprise comeback pretty soon ahead of the show’s 20th anniversary in 2024.

At its peak, the programme delivered some iconic moments from performing Alexandra Burke’s iconic duet with Beyonce, the birth of One Direction, and of course… Jedward.

The talent series – which launched in 2004 – has seen a number of rotating judges from Nicole Scherzinger, Gary Barlow and Kelly Rowland and it looks like Simon Cowell’s beloved programme could be gracing our screens soon.

ITV Boss Kevin Lygo teased that the X Factor ‘has not gone away forever’ despite it being scrapped last year.

‘It was our most successful show for almost 20 years and we’re still working with Simon on a daily basis,’ he added to the Broadcasting Press Guild.

It was reported this summer that music mogul Simon, 63, was thinking about reviving the all singing and dancing hit.

One Direction are among the successful acts to have emerged from the X Factor (Picture: Getty)

Yep, Beyonce actually performed with one of the finalists (Picture: Rex)

A source told The Mirror: ‘It has been decided that the time is right to bring X Factor back. It’s really exciting.

‘Everyone who will be working on the new series can’t wait to get started.’

The publication added that Simon is meeting bosses from various different channels, indicating that the show may not air on ITV in the future.

However, Metro.co.uk understands that as of yet there are no plans for the show to return to ITV.

The final edition of X Factor aired in 2018, marking 14 consecutive years on air, before two spin-off series in 2019.

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Dalton Harris was crowned the winner of that series, following in the legacies of James Arthur, Leona Lewis and Little Mix.

The American version saw Britney Spears, Demi Lovato, Kelly and Simon on the judging panel, and the show introduced us to the likes of girl band Fifth Harmony and Carly Rose Sonenclar.

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