EXCLUSIVE: Simon's back to Blighty! Cowell returns to X Factor UK as he promises changes for US edition

 

By Sara Nathan
  Simon Cowell is making a grand comeback to the UK X Factor - after quitting the show three years ago to head up the US edition, MailOnline can reveal.
The music mogul, 54, will return to the judging panel this August and is currently sealing a deal with ITV chiefs in the UK.
Cowell - whose baby son with girlfriend Lauren Silverman is due next month - has already talked about making format changes to the X Factor USA if it returns for a fourth season.

I'm off: Simon Cowell will not return for the fourth season of X Factor USA; the media mogul is settling back in the UK ahead of the birth of his first child, seen here in Belfast recording auditions for Britain's Got Talent

UK X Factor executive producer Mark Sidaway appeared to give the game away when he tweeted this week: 'Big meeting at Syco Towers with the boss today. Am excited by our ideas for 2014 and the mighty X Factor.'
And a source told MailOnline today: 'There was a big meeting at over at Syco's London offices last week with Simon.
'All the producers went and the last season was reviewed and everyone agreed that the best change for the UK X Factor is Simon's return. It's what the audience really wants.'
ITV originally discussed Cowell's return to the UK show in September while agreeing a deal for a new three-year renewal deal for the talent show, and the source said: 'It was made very clear to Simon that everyone was desperate for him to be back on the UK X Factor panel.'

Big changes: Cowell and the judging panel of X Factor USA Season 3: The next season for the Fox show is due for a major shake-up, MailOnline has learnt

        

Party girls: Demi, who quit the show after two season, was spotted out with Selena Gomez on Thursday night in Los Angeles

The UK network are also keenly aware the X Factor show has lost out to in the ratings battle to BBC rival, Strictly Come Dancing - the UK version of Dancing With The Stars - ever since Cowell departed and gave his chief judge seat to Take That star Gary Barlow.
It is as yet unclear whether Cowell will return to the X Factor USA after a faltering few seasons. Demi Lovato  has also quit - and the show has suffered  in going up against NBC's The Voice and being taken off air mid season during baseball's world series aired by Fox.
X Factor producers are due to meet with  Fox in February to discuss the 4th season and major format changes as well as how to overcome the usual sports scheduling clashes.

Father to be: Simon with his pregnant girlfriend Lauren Silverman, seen here in

A source said: 'US producers want Simon back in the US - or to fly between two countries every week. But this is something he has previously said he didn't want to do and with the arrival of his baby son this year it will be even harder.'
Speaking in December, Cowell said he was ready for some shake-ups on the US show, including making changes on the judging panel, which last season was made up of him, Kelly Rowland, Demi and Paulina Rubio.

High spirits: Simon looked happy as he arrived at JFK on Thursday when the news of his return broke

Other X Factor: Simon's former girlfriend Terri Seymour looked sharp in a grey and white dress as she pumped gas in West Hollywood on Friday

He said: 'I think that we're gonna have a very crowded marketplace. What we have with X Factor is a huge core fan base that loves the show, but we have got to be more than that. We're in the middle of a conversation about, 'This is what we think the show should look like, what the fans would like,' so my role may change, but I can't say any more than that.'
Currently, Cowell is in the UK filming Britain;s Got Talent - but will fly back to New York for the birth of his baby son, to be named Simon Jr - next month.

Something funny Mr Cowell? Simon seemed to find something very funny as he left the airport