The Irish have given X Factor a second chance – with Cheryl Fernandez-Versini causing a massive bump in the viewing figures.
Figures show that 421,900 people watched the music show on TV3 on Saturday – up five percent on last year.
While on Sunday there were 432,500 tuning it – a massive boost of 18.5% on 2013.
TV3 is crediting the return of judges Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and Simon Cowell, as well as Irish hopeful Ben Quinlan for the ratings boost to the hit show.
Boost: Cheryl caused Irish viewers to tune back in | ITV
Head of Press and Publicity, Sharon McHugh, said: “I think the majority of households in Ireland were tuned in to The X Factor on Saturday and Sunday to see the return of Mr Nasty and of course the easy-on-the-eye Cheryl.
“Their return to the panel coupled with Irish singer Ben Quinlan’s serenading of Cheryl seemed to be the catalyst for the ratings rising.”
Across the weekend 1.3 million people watched the X Factor on TV3 and 3e.