By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-09-03 17:10:34 | Updated at 2026-09-03 17:49:29
44 minutes ago
Former X Factor winners Rak-Su have backed the prospect of the ITV talent show returning to screens – but warned the programme would need to evolve dramatically to succeed with modern audiences.
The Watford group shot to fame after winning the 14th series of The X Factor in 2017, becoming the first boy band to triumph on the long-running competition.
Amid reports the once-dominant talent show could make a comeback, members of the group have now offered differing views on whether its famous formula could still capture the nation's attention.
Jamaal Shurland remains enthusiastic about the format, describing The X Factor as a powerful platform for aspiring performers.
Rak-Su shot to fame after winning The X Factor in 2017
ITV X Factor
"It is a great vehicle. It will never not be a great vehicle. People enjoy that concept of TV," he said.
However, Mr Shurland warned prospective contestants against becoming consumed by the spectacle surrounding the programme.
"It is easy to get swept up in it, so you have to be careful about who you are going to be when you go on the show," he explained.
"You have to have a narrative and have your mind around what it is going to be about and what it is going to give you."
Rak-Su became the first boy band to win The X Factor when they triumphed on the ITV show
The singer believes audiences continue to enjoy watching artists develop in front of them, pointing to the enduring popularity of boy bands.
"That is the reason why, if a boy band is put together, it can do well.
"People like to see that, from The Beatles all the way down to One Direction and beyond," he added.
Bandmate Myles Stephenson was similarly enthusiastic about the prospect of the programme returning.
Simon Cowell created The X Factor, which became one of Britain's biggest television talent shows following its launch in 2004
"I'd love to see it come back. I think there would be a lot of people who would be very happy to see The X Factor back on their screens," he said.
However, fellow Rak-Su member Ashley Fongho was more sceptical, questioning whether recreating the programme that dominated Saturday-night television during its heyday would work in today's radically different media landscape.
"I do not think it is very smart. People watch TV less now," he warned.
Mr Fongho suggested a revival could risk diminishing memories of "the heydays of when it was great".
He continued: "It would be amazing to get back to a point where the whole country sat down at the same time to watch live music again.
"I just question if it's possible to make that happen anymore."
The X Factor became one of Britain's biggest television programmes following its launch in 2004, producing stars including One Direction, Little Mix, Leona Lewis and Olly Murs.
However, viewing habits have transformed significantly since its peak, with platforms including TikTok and YouTube increasingly playing a major role in discovering and promoting new artists.
One Direction became one of The X Factor's biggest success stories after appearing on the competition in 2010
A revived version of the competition could therefore face the challenge of appealing to audiences accustomed to consuming performances and entertainment through social media and short-form video rather than solely through a weekly television broadcast.
The debate comes as Rak-Su prepare for a new chapter of their own, having signed with Champions Music & Entertainment as they work towards a new album and UK tour.
Reflecting on the impact The X Factor had on the group, Mr Fongho admitted appearing on the programme remains one of the defining experiences of his life.
"The X Factor changed our lives," he said.
"I remember coming out at Jingle Bell Ball and hearing the reaction from the crowd. It all felt absolutely surreal.
"The further away I get from it, the more surreal it feels. Whatever happened afterwards, nobody can take away what we experienced together."
