Strictly and X Factor final to go head-to-head

ITV1 bosses are fuming after BBC scheduled 'Strictly Come Dancing' to clash with 'The X Factor' final.

On December 11 - the day the eventual 'X Factor' winner is announced - 'Strictly' will run for one hour and 45 minutes, meaning it will overlap with its rival show for 15 minutes.

However, 'X Factor' chiefs are said to be furious at the scheduling decision, as BBC One is only airing a repeat of sitcom 'My Family' in the time slot beforehand.

An ITV source said: "The BBC could easily avoid the overlap - all they have before 'Strictly' is a repeat."

A BBC insider hit back claiming the rival channel is only upset because 'Strictly ' beat the pop star search show in the ratings last Saturday after pulling in 12.5 million viewers compared to The X Factor's 11.5 million.

The source told The Sun: "The shows have overlapped several times this year. Only now, after they lost out at the weekend do they complain."

Falling ratings at 'The X Factor' have reportedly caused concern for show boss Simon Cowell - who quit the judging panel to concentrate on the US version - and he has told judges Tulisa Contostavlos, Kelly Rowland, Louis Walsh and Gary Barlow to give their acts more attention.

A source recently said: "Simon is furious. This would never have happened on his watch and he wants the team to know this and sort it out. He knows there is great talent on the show, but he thinks the attention to detail has been shocking. The acts are not being showcased at their best.

"Say what you like about Simon, but he spends ages dithering over the tiny details to make sure everything is perfect. There's no way he would have sanctioned some of those song outfits or choices."