Barlow, who sits alongside Tulisa Contostavlos, Nicole Scherzinger and Louis Walsh on the judging panel, is apparently being singled out as a reason why the current series has seen its worst viewing figures since 2006.

Cowell is now reportedly planning on replacing 41-year-old Barlow for next year's series after deciding that he takes his judging role "too seriously".

The 53-year-old has allegedly said that he has "another man in mind" to take the Take That star's place.

It has also been reported that Cowell did not want Barlow to return to the show this year, but ITV overturned the decision.

The Times quotes a source as saying: "Cowell doesn't think that he knows enough about who to choose from the auditions. The one thing he did after the 2010 show was to create One Direction, who are now the biggest pop group in the world."

This year, the ITV show has been consistently beaten by BBC's Strictly Come Dancing in the ratings. Some 19.4 million viewers tuned into the 2010 final, but only 8.2 watched last Saturday's episode.

Barlow's final act Christopher Maloney is up against James Arthur and Jahmene Douglas in tonight's final.

Makes sense.

He wanted Noel Gallagher before Barlow anyway, so doesn't come as a surprise he's going to blame Gary before much else.

Cowell blaming somebody other than himself for this year's series flopping? What a surprise

So he's not blaming the obvious lack of talent (in the later rounds)?

The only judge who actually wants to find a proper talented singer.

Yes Gary Barlow might not suit the fake, pantomime slant of X Factor, but goddamnit he's the most credible one left standing. He's the one who gives honest critique to acts and he's the one with an act still in the contest, unlike Louis and Tulisa. However, those two will keep their jobs and Gary will probably be shown the door, despite the fact that talent-wise they will never find anyone better.

Mind you, Simon has always been jealous of Gary, ever since he rejected Take That by saying that Gary himself 'wasn't talented or good-looking enough' to become successful. I know plenty of people who only watch X Factor for Gary, and the majority have stopped when the producer manipulation went one step too far with Carolynne/Rylan

Surely you cannot be serious - he backs Christopher!

He had too do that in the end he can hardly slag him off he was unlucky to be left with such a twonk

At least Gary mentors his acts well - okay, Chris isn't the best act standing but he HAS improved week on week. Gary's done well mentoring, especially with the likes of Kye, Marcus and Craig. Still works with them, as far as I'm aware!

And the other's havent? OK, maybe not Louis but......

If the show was an hour long without all the pantomime and sob stories I definitely think more people would watch. More singing, less emphasis on the drama queen judges

The failing ratings are down to the crap sensationalist decisions which the production team make... nothing to do with Gary at all.

Thought it was Nicole that put together One Direction..... remember her saying that at the auditions that year

Nicole - I give credit to her because James and Jahmene have done brilliantly. I do like James and Jahmene, even though this is the most boring final, because they'll both do better if they don't win.

Tulisa got very lazy by relying on Ella to get to the final, and she gave her lazy song choices. The other two girls she pretty much ignored. That back-fired spectacularly when Ella left, leaving Tulisa screaming about 'talent' then after acts like Rylan got through... when she had voted him through herself.

Actually she's very similar to how Kelly was last year - she picked her favourite early on and forgot about the others. And it's the same with Simon Cowell too - if he doesn't like you, then don't even bother trying.

Louis, I agree with you entirely - just because Westlife have split, doesn't mean you should try creating another!

Barlow has been the best judge this year imo, the low ratings are down to a range of other factors and I doubt have anything to do with him.

I think that was the whole tagline of her being on the US XF as well, right?

It was her officially, but let's not pretend any of the groups manufactured on the show are put together by the judges.

What gets me is his obvious orders to the panel, to 'push' James.
The guy can't sing and can't write songs.
But if Tulisa & co keep pushing the lie that he's 'wonderful' , eventually some of the public will start believing it, and sadly that's what's happening.

i'd like to take this moment to point out all the times gary's said he has plans on leaving x factor next year for take that coming off their 2 year break. he's called this - on film - his "hobby job".
and there's currently this quote from an interview with him in the sun:
"At this point I’ve been doing it for half a year, so I don’t even want to hear that question (of coming back).
"Because all you want to do is get away from it, but who knows, who knows."

so basically, it doesn't look like gary even wants to come back - but that's not acceptable in the SCowell PR system, therefore he's now "the reason why the show's failing".
nothing at all to do with it being stale and tired, having a negative image, people seeing it as being fixed, scripted, and/or manipulated. nothing to do with a lack of true talent, or even worse, the judges (i'm looking at tulisa and louis here) making the wrong decisions which lead to the wrong people (the more talented people) going home early. as far as judges, tulisa is probably the most hated judge there has ever been, and louis is considered a joke.

the show's been on a downward spiral for a long time now. that's not gary's fault. but it seems if he wants to walk out then scowell's going to paint it as such. that's no surprise.

Are you for real?

Gary is the scapegoat. Sigh. Simon Cowell has lost his touch, fame has gone to his head, and this is why his shows are not working either here or in America.

i actually know quite a few as well! and it's pretty easy to see from twitter and comments on places running this story like the daily mail that a surprising amount of people do the same. he certainly seems to have gathered some very loyal fans over the past few years...

True.

Poor Gary; it's as if he never read the small print on his contract, as he is still labouring under the notion that XF is an acutal talent finding contest.

$imon should come back as Gary is in danger of bringing too much credibility to the show.

Remember that it was Gary who sent 'Me Nan' home in the first place.

Gary now backs him because he is contractually obliged to do so as he is mentor for the 'Overs'.

Well, after being in the music business one way or another for the last twenty odd years, you do get a fair few fans! Mind, longevity is something that the X Factor is completely unfamiliar with...

I think all the Gary fans I know have said he should leave the show, because he's too good for it.

he is just angry at gary cause gary didn't throw chris under the bus and sabotage him. he helped chris vocally and has been a good mentor.

the xfactor bosses including cowell want chris out and gary is part of the problem. you have to give credit to gary for having integrity and not cave in and set up chris for a downfall weeks ago.

if only chris would win so it forces cowell to sign him to syco!