Simon Cowell abandons search for the new 1D as reality TV series fails to attract standout performer

Simon Cowell has halted his efforts to create a new boyband reminiscent of One Direction, as his new reality TV series, The Midas Touch, struggles to find promising talent. The series, initially designed to discover future pop stars, will now focus on Cowell's personal journey as his pop dream unravels.

Despite staging auditions in Liverpool, Dublin, and London for 16 to 18-year-olds, the turnout has been low, and performances have been underwhelming. Many auditionees were cast-offs from previously rejected bands, contributing to the lackluster talent pool. An insider from The Midas Touch revealed, "Simon has been told the original idea behind the series needs to change. Rather than focusing on the creation of a boyband capable of going on to massive success, the focus is now much more on him."

Cowell, a judge on Britain's Got Talent and the mastermind behind One Direction's formation on The X Factor in 2010, has been facing the harsh reality that the era of chart-topping boybands may be over. The insider added, "His frustration is at the auditions where many of the singers turning up are cast-offs from bands that didn't make it. But perhaps more crucially, Simon has been told to come to terms with the fact that maybe the era of the chart-topping boyband is over. It is devastating for him."

As a result, at least two audition dates have been cancelled in Newcastle upon Tyne. A producer on the series commented, "It's going to be a documentary on Simon coming to terms with the fact the golden days of discovering boybands might be over. It might be compelling viewing to watch his downfall after so many years as the star of Saturday night TV."