X Factor producers are considering letting fans use Twitter to vote for their favourite acts as part of an overhaul of the show.
Programme bosses are keen to revamp the talent contest and think the popularity of discussing the show on social media can be used in a bid to halt falling voting numbers and stop popular acts leaving the live heats earlier than expected.
The proposal would see fans follow the show's official Twitter feed, which would in turn follow them, and then send a direct message each week to cast their vote.
A source said: "Twitter explodes when 'The X Factor' is on so it makes sense to see if this can be harnessed for voting."
However, one problem could be that the voting system would be free, meaning broadcaster ITV would lose out on the cash it currently makes for phone voting.
The source added to The Sun: "Obviously, there is currently no way of charging for this so that could create a problem.
"Twitter voting may well work in America but there are a lot of obstacles to stopping it from being a realistic proposition in the UK."Reuse content