The X Factor's return date has been announced for its 14th series

The X Factor's return date to our screens for the 2017 series has been announced.

Mark it down in your calendars, the 14th season of the popular competition will begin on Saturday September 2, at 8pm on ITV. The news was confirmed by Dermot O'Leary in a post on The X Factor Twitter account.

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Clear your schedules! The #XFactor returns to @itv with @radioleary on Saturday, 2nd Sept at 8pm!❌🙌 Set a reminder: https://t.co/jMvDUwMzGF pic.twitter.com/90af4K4TwR

— The X Factor (@TheXFactor) August 23, 2017

A September 2 debut marks the latest the series has ever started in a calendar year since the very first series began on September 4, 2004. Every other season has began in August. The late start is down to the series having fewer episodes overall this time around, with the live shows being shortened to just six weeks. 

Last year's winner Matt Terry has enjoyed success since the show ended last December. He has scooped two Top 10 singles since the series ended, the Ed Sheeran-penned Christmas Comes Around, and Subeme La Radio, his collaboration with Enrique Iglesias and Sean Paul.

X Factor will have another Simon Cowell show to team up with this Autumn. Your Song, to be hosted by Emma Willis, will be a one hour special that will "celebrate the lives of real people and see them being given the performance of a life-time from some of their favourite artists."

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