X Factor mogul Simon Cowell ‘defects’ from ITV to rival station in major show shake-up
BRITAIN’S Got Talent boss Simon Cowell could defect to Channel 5 after 22 years as one of ITV’s biggest stars.
The big money move could see him develop new entertainment formats — or even revive his most famous, The X Factor.
Former music mogul Simon, 63, is still head judge on BGT, but it is the last ITV show he is involved with.
A TV insider said: “This would be a huge move for Simon, who carved out a TV career based on BGT and X Factor on Channel 5’s rival station.
“It would effectively see him turn his back on ITV after two decades which have seen him deliver them two of their biggest hits.
“There’s a strong sense that one chapter is ending and another beginning and Channel 5 are keen to be a part of that.
“But they’d need to nail down a seven-figure contract to seal the deal to bring him across.”
Simon this week met again with Channel 5’s director of programmes, Ben Frow, and they have been discussing various projects they could work on together for months.
In recent years C5 has signed up a string of stars traditionally linked to other channels.
They include BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker, DIY SOS star Nick Knowles and Pointless host Alexander Armstrong.
Simon is contracted to be head judge on BGT until 2025.
The X Factor started in 2004 and made him an international star.
Fellow judges included Louis Walsh, Sharon Osbourne and Nicole Scherzinger.
It last aired in 2018 and ITV confirmed it had been axed in 2021.
Simon and Channel 5 declined to comment.