[Red Moon]

Who could replace Simon Cowell?

If The X Factor kingpin is driven from the show by media attention and tracking devices, who do you think would best fill his shoes?

Pity poor Simon Cowell. For years he has been forced not only to endure the media spotlight but also to sit on judging panels, without anyone ever asking him if he really actually wanted to be famous.

Still, thank goodness he's finally found the nerve to stand up for himself. He's even suggested that he might step down as an X Factor judge in 2009. Who could replace him?

1) John Sergeant. He's wise to the wiles of politicians, so sussing out the tactics of his fellow judges should be simple. More than that, after his Strictly Come Dancing saga, he's had a personal taste of the whimsical Great British public exerting their democratic right, and knows what it takes to win their hearts and votes – and it's not talent.

2) David Van Day. He's desperate for fame, desperate for air-time and desperate to win – perfect for the panel. His spell in the I'm a Celebrity jungle has shown us that he's ruthless, manipulative and outspoken, and he'd revel in crushing the dreams of arrogant teenagers and deluded senior citizens.

3) Roy Keane. Not a man you'd like to get on the wrong side of – he's admitted that he deliberately seeks vengeance against those who cross him. If the former Sunderland manager decides on a new career, Louis Walsh had better curb his tendency to gloat and rejected auditionees would have to watch the backchat. The rowdy X Factor studio would be a much more orderly place.

4) Gary Barlow. He knows about the audition process, he knows about songwriting and he knows about longevity. He's also unafraid to speak his mind; he took Cowell himself to task in the 2006 X Factor final when Take That were the special guests, warning him not to palm the usual talent show tat off on Leona Lewis. Barlow informed him, "You've got a big responsibility because this girl is probably 50 times better than any contestant you've ever had on this show and it's your responsibility to make her the best record you can. So please do that." On the downside, he's never been much of a dancer, and Brian Friedman's over-the-top creative direction might just be too much for him to put up with. Mind, it's a lot to put up with for most people.

5) Gordon Brown. Now, admittedly he might have other things to do than mentor a bunch of wannabes, but why else is he showing such an interest in this series' contestants, their charity single and the public's voting patterns? Perhaps the prime minister is looking for a nice cushy job for a bit of pin money in the autumn of next year. He could take advantage of his Celtic heritage by appealing to the regional voters, and years of practice in parliament would help him to shout down the baying mob in the studio audience.

In the unlikely event that Simon Cowell really does retire from our screens, who do you think could take his place?

Source: The Guardian

[Wildcat!]

Mel B Scary spice.

[Locke.]

Me

[Adamw92]

I'd like Gary Barlow as a judge

[Jackie]

I don't think anyone could replace him people watch it for him.

[rayheartbliss]

posh spice

[kevinyeah]

emma bunton

[supernoodles!]

Originally posted by jackie46
I don't think anyone could replace him people watch it for him.

[Mark]

Piers Morgan?

[Noel]

Whoever it is would need to be just as honest and truthful as Simon. If we get another person who is just like "You owned the stage, you did your thaaaang.", then it'll just be boring. Piers Morgan would be honest, but I don't like him that much. I like the sound of Gary Barlow though.

[Callum]

Len Goodman.

[Spike]

Its impossible to replace him
The best person would be Randy Jackson who would add something to the panel which we haven't seen before or maybe Mel B

[Tom]

Simon = irreplaceable