Simon Cowell - Simon Cowell Hints At X Factor UK Return In 2012

Last year, Simon Cowell decided against sitting on the judging panel for X Factor, concentrating instead on the new US version of the show. With a judging panel consisting of Tulisa Contostavlos (of N-Dubz), Kelly Rowland, Louis Walsh and Gary Barlow (of Take That), the ratings for X Factor in the UK fell below those of its main scheduling rival, Strictly Come Dancing. He didn't fare much better in the States, though, with viewer figures dropping below 20 million. Cowell's other shows were hit with scandal, too. Britain's Got Talent came under fire when people accused the programme makers of fixing the results (as did X Factor) and the winner of Cowell's new game show, Red or Black fell into disrepute when 1m winner Nathan Hageman was revealed to have spent time in jail for assaulting a woman.

In an effort to claw back viewers, Cowell has poached Strictly Come Dancing judge Alesha Dixon for Britain's Got Talent and is quoted as saying " I like the fact this is now a competition with the Bbc and it makes us work harder." He has not confirmed that he will return to X Factor this year but told the press "anything could happen."