With this year’s UK X Factor auditions only weeks away, The X Factor has apparently yet to agree a deal with any of the judges for the upcoming series.
The ongoing negotiations for the US version of the show have reportedly meant that preparation on the upcoming ITV series has ran into trouble, since the futures of Simon Cowell and Cheryl Cole and possibly presenter Dermot O’Leary are still unclear.
An insider told The Sun: “This is causing producers a headache as the contract process always takes some time to hammer out.”
ITV is said to be desperate to hold on to Cowell, Cole and O’Leary, but Louis Walsh and Dannii Minogue are thought to be on the verge of returning to the show.
“ITV is pulling out all the stops to ensure Simon can do both shows, but he still hasn’t agreed anything, which is frustrating,” a source added. “If Cheryl and Dermot also have to travel back and forth it could be tricky. The last thing they want is for any of them to pull out.”
Open auditions for the UK X Factor are scheduled to begin in early March, while the judges will be called into action the following month.
An ITV spokesman commented: “We’re excited about this year’s X Factor and full details will be announced in due course.”