Simon Cowell dealt huge blow amid Louis Walsh feud as ITV BGT slumps to worst-ever ratings

Pop culture X account Super TV posted on X: "RATINGS! Britain’s Got Talent got off to a disastrous start for its 19 series last night, as just 3 million viewers tuned in.

"It’s the lowest rating ever recorded for the show, down over 1.5 million on last year and HALF of what it got just 4 years ago. #BritainsGotTalent."

Both fans and critics were quick to weigh in on the figures.

"It’s just grim these days. And so fake," one person wrote, while another added: "3m is still impressive for such a mediocre offering."

A third commented: "These shows have just had their day. Simon learnt the hard way with X Factor; it declined quite rapidly over the final few years. The Voice gets about 3 viewers, and now BGT joins the ranks."

One viewer suggested BBC Gladiators "took a big chunk out of #BGT audience" (sic).

Another gave this verdict: "It’s overproduced, has been for the past 5 years or so. The slow motion, the awful music, American-style crowd reactions, the fake stitched-together audience storylines, it’s predictable, phoney, there’s no Mulhern doing BGMT, KSI‘s entire presence is unnecessary, it’s just bad."

"Time to wrap it up and pack it in," another wrote.

The ratings blow comes amid a series of controversies surrounding Mr Cowell and his talent shows, with several former contestants in recent years speaking out about their experiences.

One of the most vocal has been X Factor series seven contestant Katie Waissel, who accused Mr Cowell’s company Syco Entertainment of breaching its duty of care during her time on the programme.

Ms Waissel, now 39, announced in 2023 that she had retrained as a lawyer and was pursuing legal proceedings against the firm.

She competed on the singing competition alongside One Direction and finished in seventh place.

Since leaving the show, Ms Waissel has repeatedly claimed her experience “ruined her life” and left her suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

She has alleged she never wanted to take part in The X Factor and felt compelled to do so after Mr Cowell’s company acquired the label she had previously been signed to.

The singer has also criticised contestant contracts, claiming she was paid just £1 for live shows and describing the arrangement as “manipulation and coercion”.

Other past contestants have also spoken out, including The X Factor’s first-ever winner in 2004, Steve Brookstein.

The singer, who won the show aged 35 in the Over-25s category, has backed calls for accountability and supported Ms Waissel’s demands for transparency.

He wrote on X in December: "I don’t want to be triggered by Simon Cowell. After 20 years, I am still trying to put this behind me.”

He added that his motivation for entering the competition was never fame, but a love of music and the hope of a better life.

“Anyone who saw me on the show knows I wasn’t in it for fame,” he said. “I didn’t sign up to be vilified..."

In 2025, Cher Lloyd released a song widely interpreted as referencing her experience under Syco, later alleging she was encouraged to leverage relationships with famous male artists to boost her career.

She also criticised the “extreme control” she said was exerted over her as a teenager.

Little Mix star Jade Thirlwall, who launched a solo career in 2024, has similarly spoken about lasting mental health impacts from her time on the show.

Rebecca Ferguson, runner-up in 2010, has campaigned for stronger protections in the music industry and previously gave evidence to Parliament.

Ms Ferguson said Mr Cowell privately apologised to her but maintained the show operated with a “massive power imbalance”.

The debate intensified following the death of Liam Payne in October 2024.

Before his passing, Mr Payne had spoken openly about the pressures of fame and chose not to sign with Syco for his solo career.

Ms Waissel has argued his death is a “painful reminder of systemic neglect” within the industry.

Most recently, Louis Walsh also spoke out against Mr Cowell.

The boyband manager launched a blistering attack on his former X Factor colleague, declaring the music manager has “lost his edge”.

The 73-year-old Irish star told The Sun on Sunday that Mr Cowell is no longer the force he once was.

“Cowell was incredible in his prime, I just don't think he's got that same instinct now,” Mr Walsh said.

The Celebrity Big Brother contestant also revealed the pair have not spoken in years, blaming those around the 66-year-old entertainment boss.

“He's surrounded by people who won't tell him the truth anymore,” Mr Walsh claimed. “He's surrounded by fakes.”

When asked about Britain’s Got Talent, he added: “BGT, who cares?! It's not what it was.”

GB News has contacted Mr Cowell for comment.