Simon Cowell has reportedly confirmed that Take That singer/songwriter Gary Barlow will be replacing him on The X Factor this year.

Speaking to the press at yesterday’s first auditions for The X Factor USA in LA, Simon is understood to have said the Barlow would be “terrific” for the show:

 “Gary Barlow is the first person confirmed. I think he would be terrific on it. He’s very competitive.”

It is expected that Gary will join Louis Walsh and Dannii Minogue who are set to return to the show, while a new female judge is also expected to replace Cheryl Cole.

Cowell also said yesterday that he wasn’t concerned about the future of the programme. “I’m not worried about it being a success,” he told reporters, “I promise you I’m still going to be involved in the show. We are literally making it up on a daily basis and I really mean that. We are trying to come up with the best idea.”