Simon Cowell drops huge update on Netflix show as he 'ditches boyband search' amid dismal turnouts
Simon Cowell's hope for the next new boyband has been shattered
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Simon Cowell has reportedly been forced to ditch his search for the next biggest boyband during his new series with Netflix - The Midas Touch - following claims that not enough people turned up to the auditions.
The initial purpose of the series was for Cowell to search for the next biggest boyband, with the 64-year-old staging a series of auditions for 16 to 18-year-olds in Liverpool, Dublin and London.
Adverts across social media were calling for wannabe boyband members to come forward and audition for the show, however, the number of those turning up has been underwhelming and has even seen some cast-offs from rejected bands.
Cowell decided to embark on the boyband hunt again after he found staggering success with One Direction, after putting together bandmates Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Liam Payne and Zayn Malik on The X Factor in 2010.
Due to the lack of auditions and talent of those who turned up, it has now been reported that The Midas Touch will be looking at how the boyband era has fallen apart, rather than trying to build it up again.
An insider working on The Midas Touch told the Daily Mail: "Simon has been told the original idea behind the series needs to change. Rather than focusing on the creation of a boyband capable of going on to massive success, the focus is now much more on him.
"His frustration is at the auditions where many of the singers turning up are cast-offs from bands that didn't make it. But perhaps more crucially, Simon has been told to come to terms with the fact that maybe the era of the chart-topping boyband is over. It is devastating for him."
Due to the lack of people turning up for auditions, at least two sessions were cancelled in Newcastle upon Tyne, leaving a producer to add: "It's going to be a documentary on Simon coming to terms with the fact the golden days of discovering boybands might be over.
"It might be compelling viewing to watch his downfall after so many years as the star of Saturday night TV."
Despite the huge change to the premise of the series and the lack of people wanting to take part, Cowell still remained upbeat on his Instagram account after he posted an image of the crew, thanking them for their work across the series.
Simon Cowell's latest Netflix series will look at the decline in boybands
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He penned: "I want to say a MASSIVE thank you to the really, really special group of people who are on this boyband search with me. And to every single one of you who showed up to audition - Thank you from us all, wherever this takes you, showing up is always the first step.
"I’m genuinely lost for words to express how much it means to me - and to all of those who have auditioned - to have had so many unbelievably talented hit makers including @awsuki @kamille, Pete, @poobear @theramiyacoub with the team.
"These really are some of the very best songwriters and producers in the world, together they have sold billions of records. Most importantly, however, they are all just great people, incredible friends, actually, they are my family, and they all just want to be part of finding and giving new opportunities to talent.
"We’ve finished London auditions now and will be reviewing everything next, we’ve found some fantastic talent on the way and we are just getting started! Love, Simon."
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One Direction was formed back in 2010 after Cowell put the boys together on the X Factor
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Followers of Cowell were quick to comment on the post, with one noting: "I thought no one showed up to the auditions? I mean it doesn’t surprise me at all."
"Oh that’s not…" someone simply penned before another added: "You have more people working this thing than auditioning for it. I’m glad no one’s auditioning for this stupid thing, you don’t need to ruin anyone else’s lives."
A fourth slammed: "I thought we’d just read in mainstream media that the project had been abandoned as there wasn’t enough talent sourced for the project?"
"Ugh, this is still a thing?" another asked, whilst many others were commenting: "#BringBack1D." (sic)