ITV are reportedly actively searching for a Saturday night replacement to Simon Cowell’s X-Factor out of fears that the smash hit talent show will not return next year.

Yesterday, it was claimed that show creator Simon Cowell was considering not returning to judge next year’s show as the US version is due to launch in 2011 and it is thought that Cowell wants to spend his time overseeing that. Also, it was also claimed that Cowell was considering axing the UK version altogether.

According to The Mirror, ITV have been looking into a range of shows to take over the Saturday evening primetime slot. One project in particular is said to involve Jonathan Ross and Andrew Lloyd Webber. An ITV insider told the UK tabloid…

“Despite their public assurances that X Factor will be back next year, bosses are increasingly uneasy that they could be mistaken and their most successful and profitable show will vanish until 2012 and may not even come back at all. They can’t take anything for granted and that’s why they have decided to draw up these contingency plans. The fact that Simon hasn’t signed the deal yet has made everyone very jittery indeed – especially in these lean financial times.”

Photo courtesy of www.fashion-stylist.net

Related posts:

1. X-Factor Contestants Trash Cowell’s House
2. Simon Cowell Tells Oprah That American Idol Bored Him
3. Britain’s Got Talent’s Simon Cowell To Become A Sir?
4. The “X Factor” Blacklist
5. Ant And Dec Net First Bafta Win