X Factor bosses ‘frantic’ over decision to pre-record Saturday’s ‘live’ show in the afternoon
X FACTOR bosses are frantically rescheduling this Saturday's live show to accommodate Robbie Williams' tour schedule.
The singer, 44, is desperate to appear on the panel at the weekend before flying to Chile to begin a South American tour.
But that means bosses are having to move the show from its usual evening slot to earlier in the afternoon when it will be pre-recorded.
An insider told the : "Everyone is frantic behind the scenes... it means the dress rehearsals will kick off at midday – several hours earlier.
"The show itself will be filmed as live at 4.30pm. It's stressful to say the least but everyone is rallying around to make it a success.
"They are moving hell and earth to ensure Robbie is on the panel. He is so committed to his acts and the show that he doesn’t want to leave them in the lurch and fly off."
Chic legend Nile Rodgers will replace Robbie on The X Factor as guest judge this Sunday.
Guitarist Nile, 66, will appear on the show on Saturday, helping Robbie with his groups but will take his chair on Sunday where he'll be casting a vote.
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A TV source said: “Robbie was originally due to be off this Saturday as well but ITV have agreed a pre-record X Factor earlier in the evening so it means Robbie can do the show then get a late flight to Chile.
“The show will air ‘as live’ in its usual slot.
"Nile is a music legend so viewers will be in for a treat."
Nile will be familiar with some of the contestants having helped Louis Tomlinson, 26, pick his boys alongside his One Direction band-mate Liam Payne, 25, during Judges' Houses.
And he’s not the first person to replace Robbie this series.
His dad Pete Conway sat in for him alongside his wife Ayda Field, 39, during auditions.
Robbie’s absence was first revealed by the Sun in June with gigs in Mexico City and Buenos Aires.
A show source said at the time: “Simon Cowell and ITV’s bosses were really keen to get Robbie on board even with the tour dates.
"Ultimately, the gigs are so big that cancelling them would cost more than his X Factor pay packet is worth.
“There’s even some talk of moving the X Factor dates around him so he doesn’t miss as many, or any, but that seems a bit extreme.”
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At the weekend LMA Choir were the first of Robbie’s groups to leave the show in week two.
He’s left with Misunderstood, A* and Vibe 5.
Head judge Simon, 59, is the only one to not have suffered any losses so far.
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