Simon Cowell has expressed his anger at the BBC’s decision to schedule Strictly Come Dancing at the same time as X Factor this year.

Tonight’s Strictly kick off at 7.25pm and X Factor starts at 8PM, meaning the shows will overlap for 65 minutes.

Cowell told The Mirror: “It is the wrong decision for the simple reason the public don’t want it to happen.

“They are the two most popular shows on TV and the fact they go out at the same time is crazy. Everyone knows that.”

Cowell added: “It is a question of the BBC and ITV approaching it in a gentlemanly way. You give the public what they want, full stop. There is no argument. They pay the licence fee, they effectively pay for the advertising on ITV, they should be in control.”

“I hope common sense will prevail, they have only got to pick up the phone to each other.

“I have even got members of my own family who watch both shows and it is frustrating for them and for me.

“But I am still confident we can beat Strictly in the ratings, provided we make a better show.”