Simon Cowell wants more oddball singers on ‘The X Factor’ this year.
The talent show boss has requested producers find him several ‘joke’ acts to rival past fan favourites like Brazilian crooner Wagner and wacky twins Jedward in a bid to boost the ITV programme’s ratings for series 11.
Simon, who is returning to the show after a three-year absence, didn’t agree with his replacement head judge Gary Barlow’s quest for serious singers and believes it has hurt the contest’s fun factor.
An insider told The Sun newspaper: " ‘The X Factor’ has always thrived on its mix of good and wacky singers. But last year it got far too serious and, in turn, ratings suffered.
"Cowell has said the fun needs to be brought back into the show — and producers have been serving up a constant stream of oddballs that viewers are going to love."
And Simon – who is joined by his loyal sidekick Louis Walsh, returning diva Cheryl Cole and new judge Mel B on this year’s panel – hasn’t been disappointed with the calibre of eccentric acts turning up to the auditions so far.
Highlights have included twins described as the female Jedward, a Myleene Klass lookalike and a Chinese woman who served the judges a three-course banquet.
Simon Cowell wants more wacky X Factor acts
