As we all know, Simon Cowell is rather fond of changing the ‘X Factor’ judging line-up pretty much every time a new series starts, and if he’d had his way, we could have seen Cheryl Fernandez-Versini being ousted in favour of Amanda Holden.
The music mogul has revealed that at one point he considered replacing the entire ‘X Factor’ judging line-up with the (rather more successful) ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ panel of himself (obviously), Amanda Holden, David Walliams and Alesha Dixon.
Speaking to the Radio Times, the 56-year-old said the only reason it didn’t happen was because of the ‘BGT’ judges’ egos.
“I’ve got to admit it — I think the four of us on the panel is about as good as we’re ever going to get.
“We actually even considered transferring them all onto X Factor at one point, but their egos, if I ever suggested it, would be unbearable!”
Simon went on to admit that the ‘X Factor’ panel has lost the chemistry that exists on the well established ‘BGT’ line-up because he keeps introducing new stars to the mix.
He added: “There have been times with X Factor — now I’ve had the chance to rethink what happened last year and the years before — where we had that chemistry and lost it by trying to change too much.”
It looks like this year’s ‘X Factor’ could see the return of some rather familiar faces, with both Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne rumoured to be returning to the show.
In a huge u-turn, Simon reportedly flew Louis to LA in a bid to woo him back to the ITV singing competition.
Meanwhile, in a bid to attract an older audience, rumours are flying that Mrs.O could be making a comeback.
An insider told The Sun: “The bosses think they made the show too young last year and having Nick Grimshaw, Rita and Cheryl on the panel was part of that.
“Sharon’s an X Factor legend but when she went back for a year Simon wasn’t on the panel. Their rows are legendary and that dynamic could work well.”
Read the full interview with Simon Cowell in this week's Radio Times, on sale now. www.radiotimes.com
