Simon Cowell quits UK X Factor

It's official! Simon Cowell will not be returning to our screens as a judge on X Factor

The X Factor saga continues today as Simon Cowell has announced he has quit his role as weekly judge on the UK show to launch the US X Factor, where he will lead the judging panel.

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Despite quitting his role as a judge on the UK X Factor, he will still very much be a part of the show, with ITV stating he will continue to have ‘an enormous presence backstage.’

The network is also 'talking about ways in which he can have an on-screen presence later in the series.'

Peter Fincham, ITV's director of television, remained positive about Simon's relationship with the X Factor.

'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.'

After months of speculation, we are no closer to knowing who will complete the panels of each show. Alongside Simon, music producer L.A. Reid is also confirmed for the American offering, and it is believed that Louis Walsh and Dannii Minogue will remain on our version of the show.

Whether Cheryl Cole will join the music mogul stateside is still very much anybody’s guess. Lily Allen, Gary Barlow, Melanie B and Ozzy Osbourne have all been linked to the UK show to replace her.

The US show is due to start screening in September, a month before the UK version traditionally airs.

CHERYL COLE STYLE HIGHS AND LOWS

DANNII MINOGUE STYLE HIGHS AND LOWS