The X Factor is reportedly set to be pushed out of its primetime Saturday night slot – after losing a scrum with the Rugby World Cup.

ITV has the rights to the rugby tournament and the scheduling of the pool and knockout games clash with the time The X Factor usually airs.

The Sun reported that Simon Cowell has decided to change the format of the show to one extended live episode on a Sunday night, with big name guest acts to try and pull in viewers, for five weeks in the autumn.

Simon Cowell (Peter Byrne/PA)
Simon Cowell is said to be planning a big shake-up of the ITV talent show (Peter Byrne/PA)

The X Factor usually airs the live performance rounds on a Saturday, followed by a live results show on Sunday evenings.

Simon apparently sees the change as an opportunity to shake up the show after it was beaten in the ratings battle last year by BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.

The X Factor judges
Simon Cowell, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, Louis Walsh and Mel B sat on the X Factor panel last year (Syco/Thames TV)

Negotiations for this year’s panel are set to begin next month with Simon currently the only judge confirmed to return.

Exeecutive producer Richard Holloway said: “There will be some exciting changes.”