It’s a no from us: why it’s time The X Factor bowed out

The finale of the TV talent show is upon us. Once the harbinger of pop and the driving force behind the charts, its impact now barely makes a squeakWinning The X Factor (Saturday 1 & Sunday 2 December, 7.30pm, ITV) used to guarantee a lot of things: the Christmas No 1, pride of place in Syco’s stable and, as Harry Styles once suggested to Matt Cardle, a generous amount of “pussy”. Judging by this season of the show, the champion won’t even be able to buy a tin of Whis