Cowell 'wants Cole back on X Factor'

Simon Cowell reportedly wants Rita Ora and Cheryl Cole on the UK's ‘X Factor’ judging panel next year.

Cowell 'wants Cole back on X Factor'

Simon Cowell reportedly wants Rita Ora and Cheryl Cole on the UK's ‘X Factor’ judging panel next year.

The music mogul – who is expected to return to his flagship UK show if ‘X Factor’ USA is axed – is allegedly planning to invite the pop princesses to be part of his “dream team” in a bid to boost viewing figures.

A source told The Sun newspaper: “Rita is at the top of his list with Cheryl. He has been a massive fan of hers for a while.

“He has offered it to her before but she didn’t think the time was right. Now the ball is very much in her court.

“Simon is planning a huge shake-up next year, as it’s highly likely he’ll be back. Rita and Cheryl would be his dream team.”

Current judge Sharon Osbourne has always insisted her return would be for one series only, while Gary Barlow recently revealed he was quitting the ITV singing competition after this year to focus on his music career, so two seats are definitely up for grabs.

While long-standing mentor Louis Walsh joked he was leaving the show, Cowell is thought to want to keep him on, but is reportedly toying with the idea of axing Nicole Scherzinger.

Ora has appeared as a guest judge during the audition rounds and previously turned down a full-time role because of her music commitments.

Meanwhile, Cole – who famously fell out with Cowell after he gave her the boot from the US version of the programme – originally left the UK show in 2010, and remains one of the most popular judges to date.

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