'It's s***e!': Howard Donald slams The X Factor as he urges his fans to tune into Planet Earth 2... which dwarfs the singing show with 9M viewers

Published: 12:58 GMT, 7 November 2016 | Updated: 22:49 GMT, 7 November 2016

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His former bandmate Robbie Williams hit the X Factor stage for the live results show on Sunday.

But that wasn't enough to sway Howard Williams into watching as he revealed he was giving the ITV programme a miss in favour of David Attenborough's new BBC documentary, Planet Earth 2.

Taking to Twitter on the evening - which saw both shows compete during the 8pm to 9pm timeslot, the former Take That star, 48, made his choice well-known as he branded the X Factor 's***e'.

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Not a fan: Howard Williams, 48, revealed he was giving The X Factor a miss on Sunday in favour of David Attenborough's show, despite the fact Robbie Williams was performing

'Try learning something and watch #planetearth2 instead of the s***e on itv,' he urged his 167,000 Twitter followers.

Responding to a fan's admission that they were only watching to see Robbie perform, Howard continued: 'I know! And that's the only reason I'm recording it so I can forward through the poo.'

Howard wasn't the only member of Take That to snub the show, however, as former X Factor judge Gary Barlow appeared on its ultimate rival, Strictly Come Dancing, that evening to perform hits from his new musical, The Girls.

'It's s***e!': Whilst Robbie Williams confessed to being a fan of Honey G (pictured) Howard wasn't convinced, claiming he'd be fast forwarding through the show

As Strictly's Sunday results show airs earlier in the evening, The X Factor didn't have to worry about competing with the dance series for viewing figures.

However, singing show still didn't reign victorious in the rating war as it managed a respectable but not impressive 6.5 million viewers.

Whilst it may have increased its figures from the weekend before by 300,000 it failed to compete with Planet Earth 2 which drew in a whopping 9 million viewers.

Number one fan: Howard urged his followers to tune into the legendary Sir David Attenborough whose new show, Planet Earth 2, debuted on the BBC on Sunday

One to watch: Whilst the X Factor managed a respectable but not impressive 6.5 million viewers, Planet Earth 2 drew in a whopping 9 million viewers

Snubbed: Howard wasn't the only member of Take That to snub the show, however, as former X Factor judge Gary Barlow appeared on its ultimate rival, Strictly Come Dancing

Whilst he may not have been watching the show live, Howard will no doubt have been impressed when he finally tuned into X Factor's Boybands Vs. Girlbands week to watch Robbie perform.

The singer looked nothing less than his usual enigmatic self as he sported a monochrome butterfly print suit whilst performing a touching rendition of his new single, Love My Life, which he dedicated to his children, Theadora and Charlton, whom inspired the track.

Asked who had his vote, Robbie gave his endorsement to Honey G and Saara, who he met at Sharon's Judges' house stage.

A pro: Appearing on the X Factor stage all alone in a spotlight, Robbie Williams looked nothing less than his usual enigmatic self as he sported a monochrome butterfly print suit

Love My Life: Performing a touching rendition of his new single, Love My Life, the father-of-two, dedicated the song to his children, Theadora and Charlton, whom inspired the track