Simon Cowell ‘working on a few TV projects’ as X Factor’s future remains uncertain

Simon Cowell’s pal Sinitta has revealed that he’s busy working away on a few TV projects while X Factor’s future remains hanging in the balance.

It was announced that the beloved ITV singing competition would not be returning this year after going on hiatus in 2020 following two spin-offs, X Factor: Celebrity and X Factor: The Band, in 2019, which both struggled to command viewership.

But it looks like some exciting shows are in the pipeline, with Sinitta exclusively telling Metro.co.uk: ‘I spoke to him and he says he’s working on a few things. I’m just waiting to hear what the state of play is.’

It currently remains under wraps whether these projects are related to X Factor.

Sharing her thoughts on whether Simon will shake up the format if it returns, Sinitta, who has made countless appearances on the series during the judges’ houses over the years, added: ‘He always liked to switch it up from year to year anyway.

‘Hopefully, he’s had all this time to give it a big refresh with lots of different ideas and using technology more.’

Sinitta is holding out hope Simon will be back on TV screens this year in some capacity, despite Britain’s Got Talent also being axed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

‘Hopefully, we can do something,’ she said. ‘It would be so weird to have an entire year without having Simon on TV. Hopefully, they’ll buy America’s Got Talent or something and show it here – that’s really good.’

Last year, ITV boss Kevin Lygo discussed whether X Factor would return for another year and what the new format would be.

Talking at the Edinburgh TV Festival, he said: ‘It’s not definitely returning, it might return.

‘It was our most successful entertainment show for the best part of a decade and you need to be wary of changes, there were too many changes towards the end of the run.

‘I’m sure X Factor will be back at some stage, it’s really when is the right moment.’

Sinitta also told us that Sharon Osbourne would be putting Simon in an ‘awkward position’ if she asked to return to the X Factor following her explosive exit from The Talk.

‘I think Simon would be in a difficult position because he won’t stand for and he doesn’t support any form of racism,’ she said.

‘He’s also friends with Harry and he’s also against bullying, so what is he going to do? What can he do? I think it could be tricky for him if he were planning to work with them.

‘I know it will be hard because he wants to stand up for what he believes in, but he’s also a very loyal friend.’

Metro.co.uk has contacted X Factor and Simon’s rep for comment.

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