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Thursday, 2 September 2010

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Simon Cowell brands the BBC 'pathetic' for Strictly vs X Factor war

Simon Cowell speaks out about the ratings war between Strictly Come Dancing and The X Factor

Simon Cowell thinks making Strictly and The X Factor compete for viewers is 'childish'

Simon Cowell has slammed the BBC for scheduling Strictly Come Dancing at the same time as The X Factor this year.

Simon, 50, argues that putting the two most popular TV shows on at the same time is immature, and that the viewers are the ones who will suffer.

‘This is nothing more than being pathetic, childish and doing a disservice to people who pay the licence fee,' he rants.

Simon blames the BBC for creating a ratings war between the two reality series.

‘We gave them the choice last year about time slots but they have this obsession with competing with us,' he claims.

Simon, 50, insists that the BBC should be the ones to move to an earlier slot, since Strictly has more elderly viewers.

‘I would suggest that they put it on earlier in the afternoon because their audience is older,' he says.

‘I am being serious. Then they can have a nap afterwards if it finishes at six.'

But a BBC insider claims that showing Strictly at an earlier time would be foolish.

‘We have Merlin in the early slot which is very successful with families,' he explains, 'so Cowell's idea is ridiculous.'

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Rose Dykins