Fans of The X Factor were left in shock last week after it was reported that Nicole Scherzinger had been axed from her judging role on the ITV show.
And it was claimed that veteran mentors Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne were also being ushered towards the exit, with Simon Cowell wanting to bring in some younger blood in a bid to boost ratings.
However, it now appears that old high-trousers has been forced into a dramatic U-turn, and that Louis and Sharon will be keeping their jobs after all.
Last year saw The X Factor slump to its lowest-ever viewing figures, with the first night of the live final attracting just 4.4 million people.
And with this year’s series due to start filming in June, Cowell had big decisions to make.
According to reports, the music mogul opted to give his three fellow judges the heave-ho as he set his sights on freshening up the panel with younger, funkier celebrities.
Nicole definitely won’t be back this year, but it’s emerged that Simon’s reported plan to give 65-year-olds Louis and Sharon the push has been thwarted.
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It turns out that the show’s core audience is made up of older people, who might be less interested in youthful judges.
But not only that – Louis and Sharon both have three years left on their contract, and ITV bosses are reportedly unwilling to splash out on paying them both off, as well as shelling out for some new talent.
A source told the Mail On Sunday: “Louis and Sharon have to stay. Both made it clear they were going nowhere and they would fight for their jobs.
“Not only would the cost to get rid of them run into several million, so would the stars who would take over. It is just not a feasible option. They will be back alongside Simon.
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“But the big issue here is that it means Simon can’t go young again – he can’t get a team of young talent in to appeal to a new audience. Instead, he will have to stick with what he has got – and accept that his loyal audience is much older than he had believed.”
Previously, another source had explained the reasoning behind Simon’s reported decision to axe his co-stars.
They told The Sun: “Louis and Sharon are both contracted to return this year, but Simon and the producers have lost faith.
“They were both terrible on the panel last year. Louis has had a great run, but he’s advertising hearing aids, for God’s sake. It’s beyond a joke.
“And Sharon couldn’t even remember some of her own contestants’ names… Nicole was a passionate judge but has no contract and won’t be back this year in order to bring in fresh blood.”
It’s claimed that the stars Simon had in mind as potential replacements included Cheryl and One Direction singer Louis Tomlinson.
A spokesperson from production company FremantleMedia said that no one has been sacked or reinstated.
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