Simon Cowell Leaving U.K. X Factor

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

Simon Cowell's X Factor will have two hosts

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.

Simon Cowell: We're still having nightly arguments over choosing X Factor judges

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.