Simon Cowell has confirmed he will return to ‘The X Factor’ this year.
The show creator and music mogul will make his judging comeback on the ITV singing competition after a three-year absence to judge the US version.
He said in a statement: "I’m absolutely thrilled to be returning to ‘The X Factor’ UK.
"It’s been three years since I last judged the competition and I’m excited to find a global superstar again.
"The UK ‘X Factor’ has set the benchmark in finding worldwide superstars over the years including One Direction, Leona Lewis, Cher Lloyd, Olly Murs, JLS and Little Mix."
Simon was one of the original ‘X Factor’ judges along with Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne when the show launched in 2004. However, he left the show after discovering One Direction in the 2010 series to focus on its American spin-off.
The 54-year-old judge has been hotly tipped to return to the British judging panel following lacklustre ratings for the US version and the departure of his replacement, Gary Barlow, after three years as head judge.
Louis, who has been with the talent competition since its inception, is also expected to return for the eleventh series, despite previously claiming he would quit last year.
It’s not yet known whether Nicole Scherzinger will return to the panel, but Sharon – who made a sensational comeback last year after initially quitting the show in 2007 – has confirmed she won’t return for another series.
Simon commented: "Despite all the rumours, ITV and the producers have not decided on the rest of the judging panel quite yet. You’ll just have to wait and see."
Simon signed a three-year deal with ITV last year to continue making ‘The X Factor’ and ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ until 2016.
Simon Cowell confirms X Factor return
