Secret planning for X Factor’s shock return began six MONTHS ago after ITV bosses took key step to cash in on reboot

X FACTOR catchphrases have been trademarked by telly bosses ahead of its shock return. They include some of head honcho Simon Cowell’s favourite sayings such as: “I didn’t like it, I loved it”. Nicole Scherzinger was one of many big name judges during The X Factor’s run Credit: Rex Features Louis Walsh and Simon Cowell are joined by Nicole and long-time host Dermot O’Leary in 2019 Credit: PA:Press Association The reboot has been secretly in the works since December but staff were sworn to secrecy as chiefs prepared for the return by filing the trademarks. A source said: “X Factor will be coming back into a whole new arena, where social media is king, memes make money and a viral moment can mean win or lose. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! “Trademarking key phrases is part of that — and Simon’s known for his critiques. “Bosses lodged, ‘It’s a yes from me’, ‘It’s a no from me’ and ‘I didn’t like it, I loved it’ in December.” READ MORE ON THE X FACTOR The first judging panel in 2004 featuring media mogul Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh Credit: ITV Show creator Simon Cowell, the former head judge, is likely to return in some capacity Credit: Getty Insiders say those phrases have now been registered by the Intellectual Property Office. It stops others using them for business purposes. The Sun on Sunday revealed that ITV and production firm Talkback Thames had held talks on an X Factor comeback after seven years off air. It had 19 million viewers at its peak and launched the careers of One Direction and Leona Lewis. Most read in TV One Direction, who found fame on the show, from left to right: Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik and Niall Horan Credit: PA Little Mix, who won The X Factor in 2011, from left to right: Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jesy Nelson, Jade Thirlwall and Perrie Edwards Credit: PA:Press Association Judges have included Nicole Scherzinger and Louis Walsh, with hosts such as Dermot O’Leary. Show supremo Simon, 66, is expected to return in some capacity. The Sun on Sunday’s front page revealing The X Factor’s return Credit: The Sun Comment now