Simon Cowell jets in for 'urgent' X Factor talks

Simon Cowell is having "urgent" talks with ITV1 bosses over the future of 'The X Factor'.

The 51-year-old music mogul - who is yet to announce the line-up for the show's judging panel, despite the first round of auditions at London's O2 being just seven weeks away - is reportedly refusing to commit to the UK version of the talent show until he finalises the details of the US launch.

While Dermot O'Leary has signed a new £1 million deal to host the series, Simon's decision on the line-up of judges is believed to be largely based on whether Fox executives in the US choose to sign Cheryl Cole on the American show.

Fellow judges Dannii Minogue and Louis Walsh are yet to confirm new contracts for the upcoming series, while Konnie Huq's job as presenter of spin-off show 'The Xtra Factor' hangs in the balance.

An insider told The Sun newspaper: "Simon is cutting it really fine. ITV are desperate for some concrete news. All this dithering is seeing them break out in cold sweats. Simon's focus is on the US series, which has nothing to do with ITV.

"They don't even know if he will be back on the show - at the moment they are thinking he won't be. He's back in the UK now and they are hoping to get something from him this week so everyone can sleep at night."

Meanwhile, pop star Lily Allen has met with 'X Factor' bosses on two occasions to discuss the possibility of joining the judging panel, while Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger is also being touted for both the UK and US versions of the show.

An 'X Factor' source added: "The talks were mainly about the UK version of the show but Nicole is also a name in the frame for the American one. Simon loves her and wants her on the show one way or another."