Simon Cowell will return to X Factor role

SIMON Cowell has said he will have a more hands-on role on The X Factor as he considers it to be his “baby”.

The star quit the panel to work on his US version of the show and has not been a judge for the past two years but in an interview with Hello! magazine he promised he would be coming back.

Last year’s series – won by James Arthur – saw a slump in viewers and programme bosses have been looking at ways to rekindle the audience’s interest in the show.

Cowell, who will be back on screens next month with the return of Britain’s Got Talent, said: “I’m definitely getting more involved and will have a role in the next series.

“I’m not going to lie – I do miss doing it, because it’s like my baby. It’s been difficult the last two years not being on the show as I always had a great time and the last time that I did do it, it was such a brilliant year. So at some point – of course I’m going to come back and do the show.”