Simon Cowell has decided to keep Sharon Osbourne, Nicole Scherzinger and Louis Walsh on ‘The X Factor’ judging panel for next year.
The 57-year-old show bosses is no stranger to switching up the panel every series but it seems the music mogul has finally found the three judges he wants to sit alongside on the programme indefinitely as he’s planning to ask the Irish music manager, the ‘Baby Love’ hitmaker and the 64-year-old television host to return to the ITV series in 2017.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "Simon wants all the judges back next year. Contracts haven’t been signed but negotiations are already well under way.
"Nicole is keen because she loves the show and Sharon also wants to come back as long as she can keep up her crazy transatlantic travel schedule."
And, although Nicole and Sharon are yet to sign anything official, Louis already thought ahead and reportedly negotiated a two-year deal when he returned to the singing competition this year following his axe last year in favour of radio DJ Nick Grimshaw.
The insider explained: "It gave him the leverage to negotiate a two-year deal, which is unheard of for the judges. But it also meant he had the security and confidence that he will be part of the show for the long-haul."
The news that Simon has decided to keep the panel the same will no doubt come as a surprise to viewers as the last time he kept the same judges for more than one series was in 2010 when he was joined at the table by Louis, Cheryl and Dannii Minogue.
Since then, he has recruited Gary Barlow, Tulisa, Mel B, Kelly Rowland and Rita Ora over the years to help mentor the contestants to success on the popular show.
The X Factor panel to stay the same next year
