Former X Factor contestant Stevi Ritchie says the show helped his 'impossible' dream come true after it was revealed the show would not return to screens. 

ITV has said there are “no current plans” for another series of The X Factor.

The statement came following reports in The Sun that creator Simon Cowell has axed the programme after 17 years.

The newspaper said the programme is being rested for at least five years.

The X Factor last aired in 2018 when Dalton Harris was crowned the winner.

An ITV spokesman said in a statement: “There are no current plans for the next series of The X Factor at this stage.”

Read more >> The eight X Factor stars who have helped put Essex on the map

Stevi, from Colchester, came sixth in the competition back in 2014.

He was mentored by Simon Cowell and made it to the live shows as a wild card act.

He went on to appear on Celebrity Big Brother in 2015 and later signed a deal with Sony Music Japan.

In a Tweet he said: "Thank you @TheXFactor and @SimonCowell and team for the amazing time I had on the show and the memories and for giving me what I dreamed of having which I thought would be impossible.

"For me the show will be missed and I will forever will be grateful #thankyouthexfactor."

The 2018 series of The X Factor was presented by Dermot O’Leary and featured judges Louis Tomlinson, Ayda Field and Robbie Williams.

Previous judges on the programme include Sharon Osbourne, Louis Walsh and Nicole Scherzinger.

The programme first aired in 2004 and spawned spin-off shows X Factor: Celebrity and X Factor: The Band in 2019.

It was revealed in February last year that Cowell was resting the programme for 2020.

The X Factor has helped launch the careers of chart-topping artists including Essex stars Olly Murs, Matt Cardle and Louisa.

Last month it was revealed Cowell will return to UK television to lead a panel of judges in a new musical gameshow for ITV titled Walk The Line.