X Factor 2013: Ratings for Sam Bailey's final lowest since 2005

Strictly Come Dancing beat The X Factor final in this weekend's ratings battle

Sam Bailey celebrates hearing of her win with mentor Sharon Osbourne (Rex Features)

The X Factor 2013 final has achieved the lowest ratings for a finals results show since 2005.

Last night's final, which saw Sam Bailey crowned winner, was watched by an average 9.7million - the lowest ratings for a final results show since 2005.

Sunday's final received one million fewer viewers than 2012's results show, which saw James Arthur take the winning title.

Audience figures for the first half of The X Factor final, broadcast on Saturday night, also hit a record low of just 8.5 million viewers, including those watching on ITV+1 and catch-up.

The figures for the Saturday night final were the worst since the series launched in 2004, when 8.1 million viewers watched Steve Brookstein compete to win the competition.

Despite a recent slump in ratings, the show has been renewed by Simon Cowell and ITV for at least another three years.

This year’s tenth series of X Factor was won by 36-year-old prison guard Sam Bailey from Leicester, after she beat 17-year-old Nicholas McDonald.

But high profile acts The Killers, One Direction, Katy Perry, Sir Elton John and Gary Barlow did not help The X Factor's ratings, as the show lost out again to BBC rival Strictly Come Dancing

The celebrity dancing competition stormed ahead in the weekend’s ratings battle, attracting a peak audience of 10.5 million viewers on Saturday with an average of 38.9 per cent of those watching television at the time.

In contrast, The X Factor Sunday final drew a peak of 11.9 million, attracting 37.1 per cent of the audience.

In an effort to revive ratings, it is rumoured that Cowell will be returning to The X Factor judging panel, after current long-standing judge Walsh said that he was "70 per cent certain he'll be coming back".

Video: Interview with Sam Bailey

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