Simon Cowell Leaving U.K. X Factor

Apr 18, 2011 08:54 AM ET
by Joyce Eng
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Simon Cowell

Simon Cowell will leave the U.K. version of The X Factor to concentrate on the launch of the American version of the show, BBC reports.

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ITV, which airs The X Factor in Britain, said it was "completely comfortable" with Cowell's decision and has been "talking about ways in which he can have an on-screen presence later in the series." Cowell, who has been a judge on the show since its 2004 debut, will continue to have an "an enormous presence backstage."

A replacement for Cowell has not been named, but he may not be the only one out at the judges' table: Singer Cheryl Cole, who joined X Factor in 2008, is rumored to be joining Cowell and L.A. Reid on the U.S. version.

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Cowell, however, said earlier this month that he's having "nightly arguments with everyone trying to get everyone to agree" on the final X Factor panel.

The U.S. version of X Factor is slated to premiere in September, while the U.K. show typically starts in August.