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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Entertainment
Christopher Megrath

Simon Cowell in talks with X Factor favourite amid return rumours

Simon Cowell has enlisted the advice of former mentor Sinitta regarding a possible return for X Factor.

Just a few weeks after rumours surfaced of a revival, it looks like Simon Cowell is already getting help for the possible new series. The former judge is reportedly in talks with multiple production companies and bosses at a string of channels which means X Factor may not return to ITV if it is picked up again.

A source speaking to the Daily Star said: "Things are in the early stages at the moment. But the wheels are definitely in motion. It is hoped that production will begin at the end of the year." Set for a big shake-up, the source added Simon Cowell wants to take the show back to its roots and return to a more competition-focused programme instead of the "razzle-dazzle" of later years.

READ MORE: X Factor to return with major changes as Simon Cowell lands 'big money deal'

Following the rumours, former judges house mentor and pop star Sinitta has said Simon has reached out to her about the future of the show to ask for her advice. Speaking to the Mail Online, Sinitta said: "I'm so excited about it and I have spoken to Simon and I think it would be great for it to come back. I need to hear more.

"He was kind of like, "We'll talk next week," so I don't know if he was just being evasive or if he was genuinely busy but I was like, "Let's talk, what's going on?' But I think it would be a great idea for it to come back and really really really reinvent it, make it different because talent is talent."

She added: "I think talent needs to be showcased and discovered. They need the help and it's a great platform if it can be done again in a modern way maybe online so that the world can join. I personally think online would be amazing. I think for it to be live-streamed online to make it interactive and international would be incredible because that's the way the world is now, yeah.

"And of course, for me to be a very key judge, kind of player, mentor… I don't even know. Do we need judges? We definitely need mentors. Judges? Not so much, cos if you're on the show then you're a winner so it's just you need help, you need advice, you need mentoring, you need people to help shape you and bring out the best in you."

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