When we tuned into the X Factor last night, we were greeted by an error message followed by some old audition footage of the ITV show.

We had been expecting an exciting live episode, in which one former hopeful would be voted back in, but instead were greeted by Goldie Cheung singing and gyrating around the stage.

It turns out that the problems were caused by a power cut in London’s BT Tower, which provides transmission services for the commercial broadcaster.

It is the first time that such a problem has struck during a major TV show such as The X Factor, but thankfully, the channel has emergency contingency plans in place and these are what led to the airing of old audition footage for fifteen minutes.

The show had been due to air at 8.15pm, but instead started at 8.30pm and presenter Dermot O’Leary immediately apologised for “technical problems beyond our control”.

A spokesman added: “The problem, which was caused by a power failure at BT Tower, and was outside of ITV and the producers’ control, was resolved as quickly as possible. We apologise for the disruption to programming.”

We were so glad when everything got back to normal. We’re not ready to get our Saturday night’s back just yet!