The first episode of this year's X Factor series was watched by what has been worked out as a 10.5 million average audience.

Simon Cowell was not present for the first time as he is away developing the American series of the show.

Replacing Simon's straight up approach to the show is Take That's Gary Barlow who is placed alongside pop singer Kelly Rowland and Tulisa Contostavlos of N-Dubz.

Last year's opening episode achieved overnight figures of 11.1 million, the highest in the show's history so does this mean the new judges have already had a negative effect on the show?

Former Boyzone manager Louis Walsh is the only X Factor judge to remain from last year's panel.

So, it's back but will it prove to be a great success as the previous 7 series? There is only one way to find out.

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