An X Factor representative has revealed today that due to “unusual circumstances”, this year’s Boot Camp round of the show will not feature a live studio audience.

The move comes in response to the news that Cheryl Cole won’t be well enough to go back to work on the show by the time Boot Camp commences, and of course, Dannii Minogue is absent and on maternity leave.

A statement from X Factor producers reads, “Due to the unusual circumstances, we are changing the format of Boot Camp slightly this year…

“We will not be inviting an audience to watch the contestants being put through their paces.”

Guest judges have of course been covering for Dannii, but with Cheryl being away from the show for the foreseeable future, only Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh remain of the original panel of judges.