The moment has finally arrived, everyone: after an ongoing ratings slump and harsh criticisms of its behind-the-scenes workings, Channel 7’s purported talent show The X Factor Australia has been axed once and for all.

As reported by TV Tonight, the show is confirmed to have been scrapped by the network, and that’s coming straight from Channel 7 Head of Programming Angus Ross himself.

“X Factor is not coming back,” he tells the publication, claiming the second half of the year (including X Factor) “wasn’t as successful as the front half” – this despite the import of flagging US star Iggy Azalea alongside Adam Lambert and Guy Sebastian, and booking overseas acts like everyone’s favourite cover-artists Disturbed to play live on the show.

The cut follows reports last year that a 2017 season didn’t look to be on the cards after a disappointing 2016 season provided record-low ratings, and the writing was on the wall when the show didn’t appear in the October list of upcoming programming.

While many factors (ahem) could have led to the show’s decline in popularity, we’re sure that accusations of the show being rigged, which came from multiple sources – including fans – didn’t help it maintain a loyal viewership.

Neither, we’re sure, did its complete evisceration at the hands of YouTube favourite friendlyjordies below.

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