It’s no secret that X Factor boss Simon Cowell has ordered a total overhaul of this year’s UK version of the show in light of the fact that the show lost viewers last year week on week.

And according to the Sun today, one of those radical changes is in the age ranges of each of the categories, since Simon has noticed – and isn’t too happy – that most of the acts that are getting through to the show’s next stages are all young people.

He’s told X Factor production staff that far too many talented older people are slipping through the net because of the age ranges applied to each category, so he’s changed them around.

As of now, the Boys, Girls and Groups categories will range in age from 25 to 28 and the fourth category will now be the Over-28s…

A show source said, “Last year’s crop of wannabes was awful, largely because there were too many youngsters.

“Lots of girls and boys in their late twenties auditioned but there was no room for them because the Over-25s category had to have the quirky older ones in it to make it work.

“The show basically snookered itself, so Simon has decided to make the change.

“And this year there are again loads of amazing performers who are older than 25 but younger than 28.

“There is no way show bosses will make the same mistake again, so the age limits have changed.

“This year’s show is now shaping up to be one of the best ever.”

The acts will be told about the changes during Boot Camp in Liverpool this week, where judges Gary Barlow, Louis Walsh, Nicole Scherzinger and Tulisa Contostavlos will reportedly spend a certain amount of time with each the acts in order to help them choose who will go through to Judges’ Houses.