X Factor 2014 final draws record ten-year low ratings

The entertainment show fell behind Strictly by more than 1 million viewers

Andrea Faustini looks triumphant after hearing he has not made it through to Sunday's live final (Splash/Thames/Syco)

The X Factor final drew its lowest audience for a decade last night - and trailed its BBC1 rival Strictly Come Dancing by more than a million viewers.

The ITV show had an average audience of 8.4 million, including those watching on the catch-up +1 channel, which was down 100,000 on the Saturday stage of last year's finale.

X Factor final: Fleur East and Ben Haenow battle to be named winner

The only time it has fared worse was in 2004 when it pulled in 8.1 million for the first ever final, won by Steve Brookstein. Without the +1 figures this year, the audiences would be on a par.

Strictly - which last night reached its semi-final stage - drew 9.9 million, which was also down 100,000 on the equivalent show last year.

The singing contest has seen a marked decline in its audience over recent years. In 2010 - when Matt Cardle was the winner - the equivalent show drew 14.1 million viewers.

X Factor viewers will tonight see the winner crowned in the second stage of the final, with van driver Ben Haenow competing against hot favourite Fleur East.

Tulisa Contostavlos could once again replace Mel B on the judging panel tonight, after the former Spice Girl was forced to miss Saturday's show through illness.

It is not yet known if she will be well enough to come back for tonight's programme.

An X Factor spokesman said: “There's a possibility that Tulisa might do the show.”

He said she is available to step in “should she need to”.

PA