Simon tells Dannii and Cheryl: "I want you back"
Tuesday 23 October 2012
In the most sensational X Factor twist yet, Closer can reveal that Simon Cowell is said to want Cheryl Cole and Dannii Minogue to return together – to what will be the final ever show.
Viewing figures have been dropping since Simon, Dannii and Cheryl left the judging panel two years ago, with the revamped panel of Gary Barlow, Tulisa Contostavlos, Nicole Scherzinger and long-time judge Louis Walsh failing to draw in the numbers.
A source says: “Simon has hit the roof over disastrous ratings, with X Factor losing over a million viewers to Strictly, and he’s putting the blame on the loss of the girls, claiming: ‘It’s never been the same since Cheryl and Dannii went.’
In a biography about Simon’s life released earlier this year, it was dramatically revealed that the TV mogul had a secret affair with Dannii – apparently admitting he was “genuinely in love” with her. It was also claimed he lusted after Cheryl.
And Simon was said to have enjoyed the tension and frostiness between the girls, which he felt was TV magic – with sources saying he wants that again.
The source adds: “Simon thinks only Dannii and Cheryl can save the show. He’s contacted them to ask if they would be interested in coming back next year because he worries Tulisa has lost her edginess. He likes Nicole, but she’ll only do one series. Simon and Louis are friends, but at 60 he’s getting too old for it. Simon will want to hold on to Gary – he says he’s the only one he trusts to keep things professional.”
When Dannii and Cheryl were judges on the show it achieved high viewing figures
Simon’s dramatic decision comes after figures fell to a low of 8.2 million during the audition stages of the competition, while BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing launched with 10.2m viewers.
Even the live X Factor shows have failed to bring in the kind of huge audiences the show attracted in the past, with 9.3 million tuning in to see Melanie Masson voted off. The final of the 2010 show, Cheryl and Dannii’s last together, left 14.1m viewers glued to their screens.
The dramatic move to bring back Cheryl and Dannii has been backed by Simon’s long-term pal Sinitta, who also let slip to Closer that next year’s series will be the final one. Sinitta reveals: “I’m told next year is going to be the last X Factor. It’ll have been 10 years, so they need to finish on a high.”
But the plan is unlikely to go down well with Tulisa, who insiders say will be “unhappy to discover that Simon has been buttering up the ex-judges.”
The source adds: “After hearing the rumours, Tulisa is telling friends how she’s done with fame and wants to get out soon. She says she just wants a husband and kids and wants to be a mum with no financial worries.”
However, Simon isn’t said to be worried about her reaction and is convinced Cheryl and Dannii will return for the right price.
The source says: “Dannii hasn’t promised she’ll do it, but Simon is prepared to offer as much money as she needs. Cheryl is going to have a hectic few months with Girls Aloud, but her schedule next year should allow her to do X Factor if Simon comes up with the cash.”
More showbiz news:
Cheryl "I'm dreaming about babies with Tre"
Dannii Minogue takes a tumble as she promotes new clothing line
Posted by sugar sweet
RE: Simon tells Dannii and Cheryl: "I want you back"
x factor has been slowly dying for years i think its time to call it a day. the talent has gone downhill when you look at previous contestants from years ago and its become a publicity circus and a personality contest rather than a talent contest! not to mention all the fixing scandals and bitching judges
Posted 23/10/2012 10:51:40