[Arneldo]

Simon Cowell will expand the X Factor live shows next year with 16 finalists, say reports.

The 50-year-old judge and SyCo boss also wants to host the 2010 final at Wembley Arena, according to the Daily Star.

"The minute you start assuming that the audience is very happy to see the same show again, you're dead," said Cowell.

Proposed changes include having 16 contestants reach the live show stages and switching the mentor system so that each judge gets an act from the four categories - boys, girls, groups and over-25s.

Cowell is also reportedly considering having a rotating fifth judge, with a different celebrity guest working with the panel each week.

The X Factor final begins on Saturday at 7.30pm on ITV1.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/xfactor/...2010-prog.html