Simon Cowell holds X Factor crisis talks over falling viewing figures
Show boss addressing 2012 viewing slump
- Maloney pulled out of the live final after reports he was abusive to staff on the show and fellow finalist, Carolynne Poole. It was reported that he was still drunk after a heavy night out beforehand.
X Factor boss Simon Cowell is to hold crisis talks next week to try and find a way to boost the programme's ratings after a slump during 2012.
The news comes after the show lost out to Strictly Come Dancing at the National Television Awards on Wednesday.
The talks will be held at Sony's London HQ next week, and it is thought that the fate of all the UK judges - Gary Barlow, Tulisa Contostavlos, Louis Walsh and Nicole Scherzinger - hang in the balance.
Insiders have claimed that Tulisa and Gary Barlow were already lined up to be dropped, but Barlow might jump ship befre he's pushed, citing his Take That commitments in order to save face, The Sun reports.
Cowell, who has already promised to 'mix up' the X Factor, is also said to be convinced he can persuade Cheryl Cole to return as a judge, even though she's said she will definitely not go back.
In Decemeber Cole reportedly told Graham Norton it was a "definite 'no'" when it came to the question of her return.
The talks will also be used to work out a major revamp for the programme.
The show might try to return to its former greatness by getting rid of the arena auditions, instead having hopefuls try-out in front of the judges as they did in the early years of the show.
The crisis talks will see executives from both sides of the Atlantic meet after the UK show's ratings fell by two million last year.
"There are a series of meetings taking place," Cowell said. "All the Brits are coming in, all the Americans, and we're gonna make some decisions then. We're going to mix it up.
"You've just got to try to make a better show than you did the year before. And if you do that , there's a good chance you can get the numbers up," he added.
But the talent show head honcho has already ruled out the possibility of him appearing on the UK show, saying he wants to continue appearing on the US version which airs at the same time.
The fate of all the judges is said to be in doubt
In a recent interview with Now magazine, Tulisa's dad revealed that the singer plans to leave the show for an N-Dubz reunion, saying she only did it for the money.
There have been suggestions that former Spice Girl Mel B might fill one of the slots on the judging panel, replacing either Tulisa or Nicole Scherzinger.
Shayne Ward also recently said he'd like to return to the show as a judge, saying he wants to be the 'new Cheryl Cole'.
Below: The Chris Maloney file: an X Factor series worth of gossip
