[Locke.]

....On Skype.

When Simon Cowell broke the news to ITV top brass that he would not be a regular judge on The X Factor this year, he assured them he would try to stay involved with the show.

And, just one day before the biggest final yet, at Wembley Arena, he is planning to make his presence felt.

While he cannot make the 24-hour round trip across the Atlantic because of his commitments on the U.S. version of The X Factor, Cowell has asked for a satellite link so he can watch the final live in his home in Los Angeles tomorrow.

And he is also planning a surprise live appearance, either via satellite or the internet video service Skype, to comment during or after the final.

The symbolic gesture is seen as a way for Cowell to acknowledge senior production staff on the show who have endured a torrid few months of controversies and an embarrassing three million drop in viewers.

My source in LA says: ‘Simon has stayed abreast of the show from America and has continued to have daily conference calls with his staff in the UK.

‘But he didn’t want to appear in the early weeks because he needed to concentrate on his day job. There was also no point in him overshadowing Gary Barlow and the other judges.’

Meanwhile, I am pleased to report Louis Walsh has pledged to return next year if he is wanted. The only original judge had been considering bowing out after this weekend.

But now Louis says: ‘I’d like to come back. I love the show 90  per cent of the time.’

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz...#ixzz1g3hwfJRQ

Great news about Louis there aswell

[reece(:]

louis is the best judge so great and will be good to see simon, hopefully overshadow gary