Showbiz News

Cowell Fuming Over Strictly Schedule Clash

The music mogul has ranted at the BBC for putting Strictly at the same time as The X Factor on Saturdays and Sundays.

Cowell, 50, has argued it is the wrong move for two of the most popular shows on television to be shown simultaneously.

He's also mocked the Beeb's more senior Strictly audience by suggesting it should go out around 5pm, so they can rest after it's over.

"I would suggest they put it on a bit earlier in the afternoon because their audience is older. I am being serious. Then they can have a nap afterwards if it finishes at six," Cowell quipped.

Last year Simon admitted his mother complained about the schedule clash.

"This is nothing more than being pathetic, childish and doing a disservice to people who pay the licence fee," he said.

"We don't pay the licence fee for people to play games with ratings. It is completely and utterly wrong.

"We gave them the choice last year about time slots but they have this obsession with competing with us."

However, a BBC spokeswoman claimed ITV made no attempt last year to discuss Saturday night scheduling.

Strictly was regularly beaten by X Factor when they went head to head last year.

The X Factor final got 19.1 million viewers while 11 million watched the concluding episode of Strictly.