It says that he will be back for the Semi's but when he does who will he replace? David or Michael? Or will there be four judges?

There will be four judges on the live shows.

thanks How do you know though?

It was confirmed when the new judges were announced. They're not going to get McIntyre and The Hoff and hype them as they are and then go and get rid of one of them after the auditions.

During the press conference Michael said it will be interesting to see what happens when the audience get to know two new characters (him and Hoff) and then throw a character everyone already knows into the mix.

My thought is, will Amanda sort of fade into the background having 3 male judges around her. And will The Hoff's ego clash with Cowell's

It would be better if Simon didn't come back at all.

They were planning to send guest judges to the auditions following the successful method used in the last X Factor but for some reason they decided not to in the end.

He should be there from the start or not at all.

i miss Simon

Michael McIntyre and The Hoff are doing okay but it does seem strange without Simon being at the helm of one of his shows.

Get used to it, he won't be on the X-factor either.

I think the show is so much better without Simon. I hope he doesn't return for the X-Factor either

The show is already better without Simon.
Fingers crossed he sees that and doesn't come back. Can't see it happening though.

I disagree completely. I missed him on last Saturday's BGT, but am pleased to hear he's back for the live shows.

X Factor without Simon Cowell would be mind-numbingly boring, but that's a whole other thread/discussion.

I'd welcome the "old" Simon back.
[list][*]The Simon who told it EXACTLY how it was and didn't try to ram some spoilt untalented wannabee down our throats.[*] The Simon who didn't smarm all over some spoilt rude little princess who's made very little talent go a long way.[*]The Simon who gave constructive criticism to talented artists and short shrift to the rubbish.[*]The Simon who didn't think he was the whole show.[/list]
That Simon was a fantastic judge on both the X-Factor and BGT. If we get more of the Simon who was on this year's X-Factor then I'm afraid he will have lost this viewer forever. AI has shown that he's replaceable and after Sunday's programme; BGT has shown the same.

Then why was the first American Idol without him their highest rated in years?

I would have agreed with you two XF seasons ago, but to me, Cowell has become irrelevant and predictable. I also hate the way he's treated Dannii over the past few years, and how he and Cheryl have their private little jokes etc.

He's looked bored being a judge on both shows for at least a couple of years, and it's good to see new enthusiasm in Michael McIntyre, who I think has freshened up the show. I don't miss Cowell at all, and look forward to seeing who will replace him in the XF.

Probably because he would have been like a fish out of water on that show of loud, brash Americans. There are a lot of people like myself who enjoy XF & BGT, but can't stand AI and the American counterparts, where everyone feels the need to yell.


I did find Cowell annoying on XF last year, and I agree with you about his and Cheryl's irritating private jokes, but they could have been separated easily. Don't see any problem re Danni, but I'm not a fan of hers at all, so perhaps I'm missing out on gossip there.

I also like McIntyre on BGT, but would have preferred Cowell to that loud, brash American Hoff.