Simon Cowell Page 5

Cheeky chappie Olly Murs has revealed he has been anything but cheerful recently after a "difficult" break up with his long-term girlfriend. The X Factor presenter told the Loose Women panel that he had had a "couple of difficult weeks" following his break-up and spoke of his frustration over rumours that his boss Simon Cowell has been trying to set him up with his co-host Caroline Flack.

Olly Murs admitted that it had been a "difficult" time in the wake of his break up

The 31-year-old singer said: "I’m so cross with him. It’s so silly. I’ve obviously gone through a break up with my girlfriend which has been quite sad and it’s been quite a difficult couple of weeks.

Continue reading: Olly Murs Admits "Difficult" Split From Long Term Girlfriend

‘X-Factor’ judge Rita Ora had a tough time on Sunday night’s edition of the ITV talent show. The singer, who is new to the judging panel this year, had to decide which six contestants would make it to the judge’s houses round during the show’s tense Six Chair Challenge.

Rita Ora has picked her six girls to take to the judge’s houses.

Ora has been given the Girls category to mentor this series, with Nick Grimshaw taking the Boys, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini the Groups and Simon Cowell (much to his disgust) getting the Over-25s. This year (for the first time ever) the judges’ categories were chosen by public vote.

Continue reading: Rita Ora Picks Her Girls During 'The X-Factor's' Six Chair Challenge

Former ‘X-Factor’ winner Sam Bailey has spoken of her joy to be free from Simon Cowell’s record label Syco, meaning she can now work more and arrange her own gigs. The 2013 winner of the talent show said that her TV mentor Sharon Osbourne had advised her to leave the label, so she would be able to take control of her career.

Sam Bailey has said she wasn’t happy on Simon Cowell’s record label.

“Sharon said, ‘The sooner you are out of the record deal the better because you’ll get to do what you want to,’” Bailey told The Mirror. “There were lots of work opportunities when I was with Syco but the label wouldn’t let me take them.”

Continue reading: 'X-Factor' Winner Sam Bailey Happy To Leave Simon Cowell's Label After Advice From Sharon Osbourne

ITV has announced some pretty major names from the pop world as guests for the judges’ houses stage of ‘The X Factor’ over the next few weeks, the biggest of which is former alumnus of the show Louis Tomlinson who’ll be assisting Simon Cowell.

23 year old Tomlinson, who finished in third place on ‘The X Factor’ with One Direction back in 2010, will be helping Cowell choose which singers from the “overs” category will be going through to the live shows later in the series. Tomlinson will be replacing Cowell’s regular aide Sinitta in the chair, and ends speculation linking former judge Louis Walsh with the role.

The newcomers to the judging panel, Nick Grimshaw and Rita Ora, will be joined by ‘Uptown Funk!’ hitmaker Mark Ronson and American pop star Meghan Trainor respectively.

Continue reading: Louis Tomlinson Among The 'X Factor' Guests For Judges' Houses

Simon Cowell has been told he’ll live to be 95, giving the ‘X-Factor’ judge another 40 years to continue his domination of the music business. Cowell has told the Daily Mail he visited an LA doctor who predicted his year of death, using high tech DNA testing.

Simon Cowell has been told he’s got another 40 years of life left.

“I had the DNA test done in LA which predicts when you’re going to die. They take your blood and DNA, then give you back a sheet of paper which says ‘We think you’re going to be alive until xxxx',” Cowell told the newspaper.

Continue reading: Simon Cowell Has Been Told He'll Live To Be 95

Louis Walsh could be in the frame to return to ‘The X Factor’ amid increasing concerns about flagging ratings. He is reported to be in talks to return to the ITV show in time for the live shows, even though he departed before the current series started.

Rumours have abounded since the start of September that Simon Cowell has been putting in ‘crisis calls’ to Walsh, the man he axed from the panel earlier this year having served on it since the show began in 2004.

A source close to the ITV production has now told The Sun on Thursday (September 24th) that Walsh may now be poised to make a spectacular return as a ‘fifth judge’ – partly to counteract the presence of Nick Grimshaw, whom viewers apparently find “boring” and has reportedly displeased bosses who believe he’s the main reason for the new series’ poor ratings so far.

Continue reading: Is Louis Walsh Set For A Sensational 'X Factor' Return?

After being axed from the ‘X-Factor’ after 11 years, Louis Walsh has hit out at the show’s new judging panel and in particular DJ Nick Grimshaw. But despite no longer being on the series, the 63 year old has said he still tunes into ITV every Saturday and thinks the show's ratings will improve.

Louis Walsh isn't enjoying the new ‘X-Factor’ judging panel.

“I’m not sure about Grimshaw. I haven’t seen much of him," Walsh told the Daily Star. "People don’t like change and I think they miss Dermot and maybe some people miss me. The new panel needs time to bed in.”

Continue reading: Louis Walsh Isn't Impressed By The New 'X-Factor' Judging Panel

The ‘X-Factor’ has enjoyed a slight ratings boost in its third week of series 12, with 7.55 million viewers tuning into ITV on Saturday evening. However the numbers are still significantly lower than last year's and the show is yet to go had-to-head with BBC One’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, which begins in two weeks.

Ratings for the ‘X-Factor’ have been low this series despite a new judging panel.

According to The Mirror, 7.55 million watched the show live on ITV at 8pm, and then a further 359,000 caught the episode on the ITV+1 channel. However this time last year the show was pulling in 8.43 million on ITV and a further 441,000 viewers an hour later.

Continue reading: The 'X-Factor' Gets A Ratings Boost But Is Still Nearly A Million Viewers Down From Last Year

Simon Cowell went all guns blazing for the latest series of The X Factor: poaching Rita Ora from BBC’s The Voice; drafting in young audience pleaser Nick Grimshaw; booting old-time judge Louis Walsh from the panel; and sticking with pretty Cheryl Fernandez-Versini.

Simon Cowell is calling in old pal Louis Walsh to help with The X Factor's ratings slump

He’s changed the category format, thrown everyone’s favourite presenter, Dermot O’Leary, away and declared war on his Saturday night rival, Strictly Come Dancing.

Continue reading: Simon Cowell Reportedly Makes A Crisis Call To Louis Walsh

The ‘X-Factor’ judges have been given their categories for this year, with Simon Cowell mentoring the Over-25s for the second year in a row. For the first time ever, this series the fans were given the opportunity to select the judges’ categories, with a vote taking place on twitter over the weekend.

Simon Cowell will mentor the Over-25s again this year.

Cheryl Fernandez-Versini was given the Groups, after mentoring the Girls last year, while new judge Nick Grimshaw will mentor the Boys and fellow newbie Rita Ora will take the Girls. After the categories were announced Cheryl expressed her excitement on twitter writing, ‘I GOT THE GROUPSSSSS!!! I am so excited !!’

Continue reading: The 'X-Factor' Judges' Categories Are Revealed Leaving Simon Cowell Surprised

‘The X-Factor’ returned to UK screens on ITV, Saturday night (August 29th), with a revamped judging panel which doesn't seem to have proved a hit with viewers. The talent show scored a record low rating for it’s series premiere, as well as fan backlash over a girl group who have already released records.

‘The X-Factor’ judges, Simon Cowell, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, Cheryl Cole, Rita Ora, Nick Grimshaw and hosts Caroline Flack and Olly Murs.

According to The Mirror, the revamped show only brought in 7.11m viewers, a drop of nearly two million from last year's launch show. The numbers are the lowest ever launch ratings for the show, since 2012 when 8.62m tuned in.

Continue reading: An Already Seasoned Girlband And Record Low Ratings, 'The X-Factor' Is Back

Simon Cowell has addressed rumours that One Direction are permanently splitting up. The boy band, which is down to four members after the departure of Zayn Malik in March, devastated their fans earlier this week when they announced they plan to take a temporary break.

One Direction are taking a break next March.

Read More: One Direction Take To Twitter To Assure Fans Break Won't Be Permanent.

Continue reading: One Direction’s Planned 2016 Break Is “Healthy”, Simon Cowell Claims

Though they’ve spent most of the last week ressuring fans that their upcoming hiatus won’t be permanent, Simon Cowell has intimated that he won’t be putting any pressure on One Direction to reunite.

Ahead of the twelfth series of ‘The X Factor’ launching this weekend, 1D’s Syco record label boss Simon Cowell spoke to MailOnline on Wednesday night (August 26th) and admitted that he’d known for some time that the foursome would be taking an extended break after their “gruelling schedule” over the last few years.

One Direction performing in North America in August 2015

Continue reading: Simon Cowell Won't Be Putting Pressure On One Direction To Reunite

Rita Ora is fed up with female ‘X Factor’ wannabes flirting with Simon Cowell and is warning them that he is “off the market”.

Ora, who joined ‘The X Factor’ judging panel earlier this year, has spent the last week wading through the official auditions for the new series of the reality show that have been going on around the country. She hasn’t liked what she’s seen from some of the female contestants, however…

“I understand the power, it’s Simon with his T-shirt and jeans and all that, I get it. But there’s a limit you have to have, a bit of decorum you need to hold,” the 24 year old admitted.

Continue reading: Rita Ora Warns Female 'X Factor' Contestants Not To Flirt With Simon Cowell

‘X-Factor’ viewers have been granted even more power this year, as for the first time ever they’ll be the ones choosing which category each judge will mentor. Voting will open during the show’s first episode this Saturday on ITV and will take place on twitter.

The ‘X-Factor’ judges will have their categories picked for them thanks to a viewer vote.

Viewers will be able to vote by using the hashtag with the name of a judge and the category they want to see them mentor, for example #CherylBoys #CherylGirls #CherylGroups #SimonOvers. Voting closes at 12pm on Tuesday 1 September.

Continue reading: 'X-Factor' Viewers Will Get To Vote On Judges' Categories In New Twist

Zayn Malik is getting the next step in his career under way with the news that he’s signed a solo recording deal with the major label RCA, announcing in the process that he intends to make “#realmusic’.

On Wednesday (July 29th), Billboard revealed that the 22 year old ex-One Directioner has also signed up with management company Turn First, who also look after Iggy Azalea, and will be working with R&B producer Malay, somebody who has worked with the likes of John Legend and Frank Ocean.

Zayn Malik is going it alone with RCA

Continue reading: Zayn Malik Signs Solo Record Deal With RCA

‘X-Factor’ judge Simon Cowell has hinted that it might soon be time for One Direction to go on a hiatus, following the news that band member Louis Tomlinson is about to become a father for the first time. Speaking to The Sun newspaper the boyband’s mentor said the group now had enough hits under their belt to allow for some time off.

Simon Cowell has said One Direction could be taking a break soon.

Continue reading: Has Simon Cowell Hinted One Direction Could Be About To Take A Break Following Louis' Baby News?

New ‘X-Factor’ judge Nick Grimshaw may have gotten on wrong side of colleague Cheryl Fernandez-Versini already, when he called the singer by her former married name of Cheryl Cole. The slip up occurred during the London round of auditions for the talent show which took place at Wembley earlier this week.

Nick Grimshaw mistakenly called Cheryl by her former married name.

According to fans in attendance Grimshaw referred to the Geordie singer as Cheryl Cole when asking for her opinion after an audition. Cheryl is said to have snapped back, 'It's Cheryl or Chezza!’

Continue reading: Awkward! Cheryl Fernandez-Versini Is Mistakenly Called Cheryl Cole By Fellow 'X-Factor' Judge Nick Grimshaw

If The X Factor knows how to do one thing, it’s how to make headlines and those headlines are rarely about its contestants. When Simon Cowell revealed 2015’s judging line-up, which included himself, stalwart Cheryl, singer Rita Ora and radio DJ Nick Grimshaw, the panel found itself in the limelight and for all the wrong reasons.

Nick Grimshaw is being touted as Simon's new David Walliams on The X Factor

However, the Radio Times has reported that Cowell’s ambitious judging decision has paid off, particularly with his ‘new David Walliams’ - Nick Grimshaw.

Continue reading: Is Nick Grimshaw The X Factor's Version Of David Walliams?

Simon Cowell’s mother Julie Brett has died at the age of 89, the Cowell family has confirmed. Ms Brett passed away on Sunday after suffering a stroke following a long illness, The Sun newspaper reports. In the wake of his mother's passing the 'X-Factor' judge has cancelled the first round of auditions for the talent show, which were due to take place today (July 6th).

Simon Cowell’s mother Julie has passed away aged 89.

“Today our beloved mum Julie passed away,” a statement from the Cowell family read. “Anyone who had met her would know what a truly special and kind lady she was. We are heartbroken and will miss her terribly, but she is now at peace.”

Continue reading: 'X-Factor' Auditions Cancelled As Simon Cowell Mourns The Loss Of Mother Julie Brett

New judge on ‘The X Factor’ Rita Ora has revealed that she couldn’t say no to Simon Cowell’s offer once she had heard about the organisers’ new plans for the reality TV show, and that it was this that was the primary factor in her decision to leave ‘The Voice’.

The 24 year old hitmaker spoke to Lorraine Kelly on the British morning chat show ‘Lorraine’ about her high-profile network switch from the BBC to ITV, saying that she just wanted “to be a part of it” when she heard about the new ideas.

Rita Ora performing at Wireless Festival 2015

Continue reading: Rita Ora Opens Up About Why She Decided To Join 'The X Factor'

‘Britain’s Got Talent’ judge David Walliams is reportedly putting his experiences on the ITV series to good use and writing a sitcom based around a talent show. Walliams, who has been a judge on the series since 2012, is said to have already got his fellow ‘BGT’ judges excited about the project and they’ve even asked for starring roles.

David Walliams is writing a sitcom based on ‘BGT’.

Speaking to The Sun, Alesha Dixon said that when Walliams’ revealed the project she and fellow judge Amanda Holden immediately demanded parts. "There has been a conversation," Dixon said. "Amanda and me are very keen to be involved. I think Simon [Cowell] would be up for it too. We'll bully our way in! I told David that whatever he does, just make sure sure I'm a cool character.”

Continue reading: David Walliams Is Penning A Sitcom Based On 'Britain's Got Talent'. But Which Judges Will Appear?

The appointment of Rita Ora and Nick Grimshaw to this year’s X Factor has definitely divided opinion but what cannot be denied is that their addition has created a lot of publicity for the talent show.

Rita Ora as a new X Factor judge has not been warmly received by everyone

Good and bad, there have been a lot of thoughts and viewpoints over popstar Ora and radio DJ Grimshaw taking the two spare judges chairs but it seems that when it comes to really negative criticism, Rita Ora simply can’t ignore it.

Continue reading: Rita Ora Shows Her Distaste For X Factor Appointment Criticism With Three Small Words

After weeks of speculation, it seems that Rita Ora has finally jumped ship from the BBC to ITV, according to insiders, and will be taking up a place on the judging panel of ‘The X Factor’, abandoning ‘The Voice’ in the process after just one year.

The Mirror reports that the 24 year old pop star has accepted the fourth and final judges’ spot, a week after it was suggested that she had been offered £1.5 million to replace the departing Mel B for the 2015 edition.

Rita Ora has reportedly accepted ITV's offer to become a judge on 'The X Factor'

Continue reading: Rita Ora Moves From 'The Voice' To 'The X Factor'

Bad news, Directioners – in what looked like it might have been the promotional stunt of the year, it appears that Zayn Malik is NOT on the verge of returning to One Direction.

Over the last week or so, rumours had been escalating that that 22 year old Malik, who quit the group citing exhaustion during their tour of the Far East back in March, was set to make a sensational U-turn and rejoin the boyband.

1D will be remaining as a foursome, despite some rumours that Zayn Malik would be returning

Continue reading: Zayn Malik NOT Returning To One Direction Despite Conspiracy Theories Doing The Rounds

Ofcom has received over 1,150 complaints about the use of a "stunt dog" on ITV's Britain's Got Talent. The broadcasting regulator was inundated with reservations about the use of a stunt double that helped Jules O'Dwyer and 'Matisse' the pooch win the grand final.

Simon Cowell has called the controversy a "cock up"

The pair clinched the £250,000 prize and a place at the Royal Variety Performance when O'Dwyer used a second dog called Chase to perform a high rope walk, winning 4.5 million votes.

Continue reading: 'Britain's Got Talent' In The Doghouse Over 'Matisse' Stunt

With rumours rife that Rita Ora is about to jump ship from ‘The Voice’ to ‘The X-Factor’, the singer has been given a shining endorsement from one half of the show’s new hosting duo, Olly Murs. Murs will be hosting the talent show’s new season alongside presenter Caroline Flack, but before it gets underway there’s the little matter of who will be joining the judging panel to sort out.

Rita Ora is hotly tipped to become the next ‘X-Factor’ judge.

Ora has become the hot contender to replace Mel B on the panel even though she’ll be coming straight from rival talent show BBC One's ‘The Voice’. Speaking to The Mirror during Capital's Summertime Ball, Murs addressed the rumours that Rita was about to sign on for the new series saying, "I'll be honest. I think Rita would be a good one because she's done The Voice.”

Continue reading: Olly Murs Gives Rita Ora His Vote For 'X-Factor' Judge, As Bookmakers Suspend Betting

After months of speculation linking him with the job, it seems that Nick Grimshaw will be taking up the vacant spot on ‘The X Factor’’s judging panel to replace the departing Louis Walsh.

It was Walsh himself who dropped the strongest indication yet that the Radio 1 DJ has signed up for the ITV singing show, saying that he had “got my job” in a statement to the Daily Star Online.

Nick Grimshaw is strongly rumoured to be Louis Walsh's 'X Factor' replacement

Continue reading: Nick Grimshaw All But Confirmed As 'X Factor' Judge Next Season

Presenter Caroline Flack was recently given a big promotion when Simon Cowell asked the small starlet to step away from fronting the Xtra Factor and take to the main stage for The X Factor.

Caroline Flack will be in demand on both the BBC and ITV later this year 

However, after her stunning win in Strictly Come Dancing’s last season, the perfect ten scorer will have to appear on Cowell’s biggest Saturday night rival for the obligatory final dance during the first episode of the new Strictly series.

Continue reading: Caroline Flack To Appear On Both The X Factor And Strictly This Autumn

‘Britain’s Got Talent’ and ‘X-Factor’ judge Simon Cowell has revealed he love to bring a bit of his talent show smarts to spice up the next round of party leaders' election debates. The music mogul said that if given the chance to produce the tv debates, British viewers (and the party leaders) would be in for fire, trap doors and even a clapometer.

Cowell is currently judging ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ and preparing for new series of ‘X-Factor’.

“I would love to do that. I’d do it in a heartbeat. 100% I’d have walk-ons, music, fire … and a trap door if people didn’t like what they said,” Cowell told the Radio Times. “And I’d definitely have a clapometer. I am deadly serious. Can we start a petition? I really would love a chance to do that.”

Continue reading: 'Fire And Trap Doors': Simon Cowell Has Some Interesting Ideas For The Next Leaders' Debate

Simon Cowell is set to produce a movie biopic of the late Beatles manager Brian Epstein, which will be entitled The Fifth Beatle. It’s an adaptation of a graphic novel of the same name published in 2013 by Vivek J. Tiwary, and tells the story of how Epstein took the legendary group from local stardom to international success under his stewardship.

According to a report in Variety, Tiwary himself has written the screenplay and is also signed on to be a producer alongside the ‘X Factor’ judge. The project has also secured the rights to use the group’s music in the film, with a director set to unveiled in the near future.

Simon Cowell is set to co-produce a film about Brian Epstein, The Beatles' manager

Continue reading: Simon Cowell To Co Produce Biopic About Brian Epstein

After weeks of speculation, Louis Walsh has confirmed that he will not be returning to ‘The X Factor’ later this year. The former Westlife manager and long-term judge on the popular ITV talent show will effectively be quitting after 11 years on the panel.

The 62 year old spoke to the Press Association on Wednesday and said: “The truth is I've done it for 11 years, I never thought I would even be on TV for four or five. To get ten was great, to get 11 was amazing, I'm not hanging around for them this year.”

Louis Walsh will not return to 'The X Factor'

Continue reading: Louis Walsh Confirms He Won't Return To 'The X Factor'

Simon Cowell has appeared to confirm that Louis Walsh will leave The X-Factor after 11 years on the judging panel. Reports over the weekend suggested Cowell was planning to replace the Irish music manager with fresh talent for the forthcoming series of the singing contest.

Simon Cowell appears to have confirmed that Louis Walsh will leave the X-Factor

"Louis is one of the good guys. We will always be friends. The door remains open and who knows what's next." Cowell tweeted.

Continue reading: Simon Cowell All But Confirms Louis Walsh's X-Factor Exit

Simon Cowell says he's always hoped to find a cat that can play the guitar during his annual TV search for a star, but now he has come across something even stranger - a dog that can apparently hypnotise people.

Simon Cowell may have just found his ultimate Britain's Got Talent star

MailOnline reports that in yesterday's edition of 'Britain's Got Talent' (Saturday 24 April), the 55-year-old music mogul seemingly fell under the spell of Krystyna Lennon's beloved pet Princess, a German spitz.

Continue reading: Was Simon Cowell Hypnotised By A Dog On 'Britain's Got Talent'?

Cheryl Fernandez-Versini will return to The X Factor and has received a hefty pay rise. According to reports, the former Girls Aloud star has negotiated a £500K pay bump. The 31-year-old singer is the first celebrity to be signed as a judge by the show's creator, Simon Cowell, for the upcoming 12th series.

Cheryl Fernandez-Versini has signed on to return to The X Factor as a judge. 

Read More: Is Louis Walsh Done With The X Factor After 11 Years?

Continue reading: Cheryl Fernandez-Versini Returning To 'The X Factor' With £500K Pay Rise

Louis Walsh’s time as an ‘X-Factor’ judge could be up, as the music manager has said he’s “done with the show”, after 11 seasons. The 62 year old made the comments during an appearance on the Seven O’Clock Show on Thursday, when he was asked about his future as a judge on the ITV talent show.

Louis Walsh has served as a judge on the ‘X-Factor’ for 11 years.

“I’m done with X Factor, honestly,” he told the hosts. "I’ve done 11 seasons - I don't think I'll be going back. That’s a long time in television. I think they’re going to change the show and get new faces.”

Continue reading: Is Louis Walsh Done With 'The X-Factor' After 11 Years?

Despite middling ratings and fading popular, Simon Cowell has tipped the BBC's singing show The Voice to hang around for a good while yet. The show is yet to produce any notable stars whereas Cowell's rival show The X-Factor has kick-started the careers of Leona Lewis, One Direction and Olly Murs.

Simon Cowell still reckons The Voice will continue, despite failing to create any true stars

Still, the music mogul insists the beeb's show - which has Sir Tom Jones and Rita Ora among its judging panel - will survive.

Continue reading: Simon Cowell Says The Voice Will Last "Quite A Long Time"

Zayn Malik’s plans of leading the life of a normal 22 year old might have hit bit of a roadblock, as it appears the former One Directioner is about to embark on a solo career. Zayn sent One Direction fans into a meltdown on Wednesday when he announced his departure from the boyband, after previously being signed off the group’s current tour due to stress.

In announcing his departure from the band Malik said in a statement, "My life with One Direction has been more than I could ever have imagined. But, after five years, I feel like it is now the right time for me to leave the band. I'd like to apologise to the fans if I've let anyone down, but I have to do what feels right in my heart.”

Continue reading: Is Zayn Malik's New Direction A Solo Career On Simon Cowell's SyCo Label?

Simon Cowell has praised Dermot O'Leary after the presenter announced he would no longer be hosting The X-Factor. 41-year-old Leary announced he would be leaving the show on Friday (27th March). The presenter, who has hosted the show for eight years since taking over from Kate Thornton in 2007, informed fans of his decision on Twitter.

Simon Cowell has praised Dermot O'Leary after the presenter announced he is leaving The X Factor.

Read More: Ricky Martin To Look For The New Ricky Martin On Simon Cowell's New Project La Banda.

Continue reading: Simon Cowell Praises Dermot O'Leary After Presenter Announces He's Leaving 'The X-Factor'

After coming out, then going off the radar for some time, we finally have news of Ricky Martin again – the Puerto Rico-born singer is joining the line-up of Simon Cowell’s latest talent show project, La Banda.

Cowell's new project is close to Martin's heart.

At this point you might be wondering, wtf is La Banda? The point of the upcoming competition show is to to assemble a new Latino boy band, consisting of males over 14 years of age, a sort of Latino One Direction, if you will.

Continue reading: Ricky Martin To Look For The New Ricky Martin On Simon Cowell's New Project "La Banda"

It’s that time of year again! ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ is all set to return to our screens to see us through the dark and dismal winter months, and viewers can expect more of what they’re used to, as the show’s line-up is unchanged.

ITV confirmed on Friday that the panel of judges will remain the same, after Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and David Walliams have all signed up for another year. On the presenting front, stalwart pair Ant & Dec will return as hosts once more.

Simon Cowell will return in 'Britain's Got Talent'

Continue reading: 'Britain's Got Talent' Panel Announced

Regardless of what you think of John Lydon, you could never accuse him of failing to speak his mind. On the receiving end of his unique brand of scorn this time have been Simon Cowell and Band Aid.

The former Sex Pistols frontman was addressing an audience of around 300 at Oxford University’s Sheldonian Theatre on Monday evening, ahead of the release of his autobiography ‘Anger is an Energy’. Firstly, he took aim at talent contests like ‘The X Factor’ and ‘Britain’s Got Talent’.

John Lydon? Outspoken? Never! This time, he took aim at Simon Cowell and Band Aid

Continue reading: John Lydon Criticises Simon Cowell And Band Aid

The release of Mark Ronson's new single Uptown Funk has been moved forward by five weeks after X-Factor contestant Fleur East performed a stunning rendition of the song on last week's show. The live recording shot to the top of the iTunes chart on Monday, prompting Ronson to rush-release his version.

After her Uptown Funk performance, Fleur East is now the overwhelming favourite to win the X-Factor

Some bookmakers subsequently stopped taking bets on the track to become Christmas number one. 

Continue reading: Mark Ronson Rush Releases 'Uptown Funk' After Fleur East Performance

Simon Cowell is undoubtedly a huge success and has transformed the music industry forever, but despite having a near-flawless career in several television and music projects, the brutally honest Englishman's biggest failure could be seen as the cancelation of the US version of The X Factor.

Cowell reckons the US version of The X Factor is not yet finished

However, Cowell remains optimistic about the reality singing show's future in the States, and in an interview with the FT Weekend on Friday (Oct 10th), he claimed the US X Factor "will come back again."

Continue reading: Simon Cowell Claims US X Factor "Will Come Back Again" Despite Cancelation

As Britain’s premier pop music mogul, Simon Cowell isn’t one to mince his words. Ahead of the first live shows of the current eleventh series of ‘The X Factor’, he is reported to have launched a dismissive broadside against this year’s crop of hopefuls, claiming that none of them stand a chance of emulating the success of One Direction.

Simon Cowell reckons that none of this year's 'X Factor' contestants can match 1D

Louis Walsh, a fellow judge on the ITV show, told The Sun newspaper: “the most successful group in the show's history is One Direction, and Simon said that what they did 'will never be repeated. I don't think anyone this year is capable of that, but I don't think anyone will do it again.’”

Continue reading: Simon Cowell Reckons One Direction's Success Won't Be Repeated

It is a battle that could have perhaps been avoided had either the BBC or ITV backed down and rescheduled, but Strictly Come Dancing and The X-Factor went head-to-head for the first time this year on Sunday, with the dancing reality show winning out. ITV will have hoped the return of Cheryl Cole and Simon Cowell would have been enough to pip its rival - airing its first season without Bruce Forsyth - though it wasn't to be.

The return of Simon Cowell was not enough for The X-Factor to beat Strictly

Strictly returned with 8.4 million viewers on Sunday - a 33.7% share of the audience between 8pm and 9.15pm. The X-Factor had to settle for second place, with 7.6 million viewers and a 27.9% share between 8pm and 9.05pm.

Continue reading: Despite Cowell's Return, 'Strictly' Topples X-Factor In Sunday Ratings

Leona Lewis has posted a handwritten, open letter to her fans on Twitter, discussing her feelings of depression and the reasons behind her departure from Simon Cowell’s record label. Earlier this year it was announced that Lewis had left the Syco label, which she had been with since wining the 'X-Factor' in 2007, and signed a new deal with Universal records.

Leona Lewis split with Cowell's record label earlier this year

Lewis begins the letter by writing, "It has been quite the rollercoaster year. The emotions I have felt have been more powerful, in both a positive and negative way, than any other time... in my life.”

Continue reading: Leona Lewis Writes Open Letter To Fans Discussing Reasons Behind Her Exit From Simon Cowell’s Syco Label

Simone Battle’s G.RL. bandmates have paid tribute to the singer, writing that they will "carry her memory with us in everything we do,” on the band’s official Twitter page. The 25 year old’s death was confirmed yesterday (6 September) with a joint statement from the group's record label and management team.

A post on the girlband’s official Twitter account reads, "Words cannot express the depth of our loss, Simone’s incredible talent was only surpassed by the size of her heart.” Adding that they will, ” carry her memory with us in everything we do.”

Continue reading: GRL Members And Simon Cowell Lead Tributes To Singer Simone Battle

Even though Simon Cowell only became a father six months ago, the music mogul has enjoyed parenthood so much he recently admitted to wanting to have more children with girlfriend Lauren Silverman in the near future.

Cowell and Silverman welcomed their first child together on Valentine's Day

This past Valentine's Day Cowell and Silverman welcomed their first child together in a New York City hospital, which was announced by the 'X-Factor' creator to his 10.3 million Twitter followers as he posted, "Very happy to say Eric was born at 17.45pm. Healthy and handsome."

Continue reading: Simon Cowell Reveals He Wants More Children With Girlfriend Lauren Silverman

The latest series of the X Factor looks set to be the most epic one yet - if the first promo is anything to go by. While every year The X Factor judges battle it out on our television screens, Simon Cowell and co have gone one step further this year, by starring in a Game Of Thrones-inspired commercial.

The minute-long promo shows Cowell and the other judges lead individual armies of hopefuls into battle for the X Factor throne, ahead of the much-anticipated new series this Autumn.

X Factor judge Simon Cowell arrives at the London auditions of flagship ITV talent show

Continue reading: X Factor Judges Star In £1million 'Game Of Thrones Promo'