There’s a bit of a shuffle around going on in Simon Cowell’s reality contest empire, and it largely looks like Sharon Osbourne has emerged as the winner after it was claimed by British newspaper The Sun that it was all but a done deal she’ll be returning to her judging chair on the UK X Factor, six years after she last held the position.

According to a source for The Sun, Cowell is “not looking at anyone else” beyond Osbourne. The insider continued: “Simon is a huge fan of Sharon. Things are looking good for her. She is in pole position.” The 60 year-old’s favourite status however has come about after former Spice Girl Mel B ruled herself out of the running for the position, after being confirmed to appear as a judge on Australia’s Got Talent instead. She’ll be appearing on the judges panel alongside TV comedienne and actress Dawn French.

In further reality show judging news, Dannii Minogue — who Sharon famously fell out with the last time she appeared on The X Factor — has been confirmed by Cowell to have joined the new Australian X Factor. A source close to Minogue said: “She lives in Melbourne now and can spend more time with her son Ethan.” Cowell has previously expressed his desire to work with Minogue again, despite revelations coming out last year of the pair having an affair while Minogue worked on the UK X Factor.

Sharon Osbourne

X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne sporting some pretty big frames