The X-Factor was left red-faced when they turned up for auditions in Essex and found only one person waiting to try out for the show. Producers were forced to take to the streets in panic to find other possible recruits to audition for the reality programme.

When the X-Factor showed up last year in Colchester in South East England, they were met with over 100 people queuing to audition for the reality show. However, when they showed up this year to the same location, one solitary woman was waiting for the judges.

Cher Townrow, who turned up for the audition, stated she thought that many hadn’t turned up because of the weather, according to the Essex County Standard. It is believed that only 20 people maximum auditioned for the show for the entire day.

Matt Cardle, who hails from Essex

Producers were forced on to the streets to recruit passers-by, however many claimed that the auditions itself were really badly promoted.

In the past, Essex has produced winner Matt Cardle, and finalists Olly Murs and Stacey Solomon.

X-Factor themselves have refused to comment but there is no denying that ratings for the show have continued to decline over the years. This might be the beginning of the end for the X-Factor.