Cowell may quit the X Factor

Simon Cowell has announced that he may quit the X Factor after this year’s competition. The music mogul only has a contract until the end of this year with ITV1 and he has already signed up to make a version of the show for US audiences.

Mr Cowell said that he’s always been very conscious that the British public has to be in the mood for a show like X factor, adding that it’s something that cannot be forced.

There is speculation that the American X Factor will be screened in the autumn next year, meaning ITV would be forced to switch the dates of the UK programme. Mr Cowell’s appearance on the UK show could, therefore, be in doubt.

Mr Cowell said that they will have to make the show better and see if people want it back, adding that he’s also not sure if he’ll do Britain’s Got Talent. He said he would be waiting for a few more weeks before he makes any final decision.

Last week’s X Factor show drew 12.5 million viewers and ITV are making millions out of advertising. The news that Cowell may quit, therefore, will be worrying for ITV executives.

The 50-year-old said Britain’s Got Talent will probably have a new panel when it returns in 2011 as former newspaper editor Piers Morgan may be leaving to host his own US chat show. Mr Cowell has also hinted that he could just appear as a guest judge in the finals.