'X-Factor' bosses are to screen the longest edition of the show | two-and-a-half hour-long programme on October 9

'X-Factor' bosses are to screen the longest edition of the show yet, it has been announced.

The two-and-a-half hour-long programme on October 9 will be the first of the live shows for this series as the 12 finalists take to the stage to perform.

An ITV spokesman confirmed the show is the longest in the history of the series.