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Gary Barlow is reportedly refusing to return to The X Factor UK unless drastic changes are made.


The Take That star is widely expected to be back this year, but apparently won’t sign a contract until producers improve the show’s format after last year’s ratings decline.

“Gary has made it clear that he will not be on the show unless the problems from last year are corrected and something fabulous is offered for the viewers,” a source told the Daily Mirror today.

A rather interesting statement, given that a lot of viewers would claim that the judging panel was the biggest problem.

The supposed insider continued: “He knows the risks, The X Factor could easily struggle against the competition if things aren’t done right this time around.

“He knows what he wants to see so he will fly back from Los Angeles at the end of the week for a presentation.”

The source also claimed that Gary also wasn’t ready to sign up until he knew who the other judges will be.

“He wants to know that they’re going to stop poking fun at the show, he wants serious singers and to know who will be on the judging panel,” the source added. “It’s crunch time at the end of the week and you just can’t call what it he is going to do. If he doesn’t sign the deal it could leave Simon and his team with a huge problem.”