Simon Cowell confirms role on UK X Factor

Simon Cowell will take part in this year's 'X Factor'.

The 51-year-old music mogul - who is launching the US version of the talent competition later in the year - has confirmed while he will definitely take part in the UK series, he is worried about the logistics of jetting across the Atlantic each week.

He told US TV show 'Extra': "We're in the process of building a rocket and it is literally going to fly us from Los Angeles to London in an hour. It hasn't been tested yet but that's the idea."

Although Simon will resume a role on the judging panel of 'The X Factor', it is unclear if he will take part in the entire show after reportedly telling ITV1 bosses he will miss the auditions and will only be taking part in the live show stage of the talent competition.

According to an 'X Factor' insider, network chiefs became so desperate to keep their biggest star they even offered to charter a private jet to whisk him across the Atlantic each week.

The source explained: "Simon's biggest priority is the US 'X Factor' at the moment - he has got a lot to prove and he has to make it a hit."