Media

ITV confirms no Cowell for X-UK

By | Published on Tuesday 19 April 2011

Simon Cowell

ITV has confirmed that Simon Cowell will not be a judge on this year’s UK version of ‘X-Factor’.

There has been speculation for months as to whether Cowell would be able to appear on the UK version of his telly talent show, given the US version he will launch and star on this year will be filmed at the same time. There were rumours Cowell had wanted ITV to push ‘X-UK’ back into spring 2012 so he could take part, but that the telly firm insisted the pop show air in its usual autumn slot.

ITV bosses were keen to stress yesterday that losing Cowell to the US version of the show was not a disaster, and that the Syco chief would still be very involved behind the scenes. They also confirmed rumours he may have an albeit limited on-screen role in the latter stages of the UK competition.

According to The Guardian, ITV Director Of Television Peter Fincham told reporters: “Some of the speculation about us pleading with Simon to be a judge makes me smile. I constantly hear we are in crisis but in reality we have an amazingly constructive relationship with Simon and are very much reading from the same page. We are talking to him about ways he can have an on-screen presence later in the show. He will not be a weekly judge, but he will be an enormous presence backstage as always”.

ITV said it will confirm who will be on the ‘X-UK’ judging panel this year in the next few weeks. Cheryl Cole is also likely going to the US version of the show, so at least two new judges will be required. They should give Joe McElderry a call, I believe he has some time on his hands, and he knows all about ‘X-Factor’ and its role in launching chart-topping globe-trotting pop stars. Well, he knows all about ‘X-Factor’.



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