ITV bosses have confirmed today that The X Factor bootcamp will take place without a live audience present.

Due to Cheryl Cole’s recent Malaria diagnosis, she will not be well enough to take part in whittling down the contestants in the bootcamp stage later this month. So bosses have decided that the wannabe singers won’t perform in front of a live audience this year.

A statement on Twitter reads:

The #XFactor bootcamp is going ahead, however due to the unusual circumstances, we’re changing the format slightly this year
We will not be inviting an audience to watch the contestants being put through their paces at this year’s #Xfactor bootcamp.

If you obtained tickets for the audience of bootcamp, X Factor bosses have promised you will be given first opportunity for free audition tickets for 2011.