[Scarlett.]

Simon Cowell is to return as a judge on Britain's Got Talent next series, it has been confirmed.

ITV chief executive Adam Crozier made the announcement at a Broadcasting Press Guild lunch today (December 7).

Cowell, who served as a judge in the final week of live shows this year, will return to the next series following the recent exits of judges Michael McIntyre and David Hasselhoff, both of whom featured on the talent show panel for just one run.

Crozier went on to defend the decision to sign a three-year deal in 2010 for Britain's Got Talent and The X Factor which did not ensure Cowell's participation in the shows.

"It was a very important deal for us in lots of different ways," Crozier said.

"BGT and X Factor are two of the best known and best loved shows but we had only ever had them on annual deals. It was important to put them on a longer-term footing."

It was previously reported that Cowell was planning to rejoin the Britain's Got Talent lineup in a bid to improve viewer ratings.

"Simon wants to make it the biggest, most successful series yet," a production insider said at the time. "His presence will be a guaranteed ratings winner as he is so popular with viewers."

David Walliams, Dannii Minogue and Samantha Womack have all been linked with a spot on the judging panel for next year's Britain's Got Talent.

DS

[Jords]

Good news but BGT, meh.

[Kerry]

Better than Hassellhoff

[Visage]

I wouldn't be too bothered either way with Cowell, but I most certainly agree with this comment.

Originally Posted by Miss Elf

Better than Hassellhoff

[Scarlett.]

I'm looking forward to it now, with it having Dannii and Simon

[bbfan1991]

Not particularly bothered either way...

[Jordan.]

Wrong choice, he should be coming back for XF whilst people still care not ****ty BGT.

[Scarlett.]

Originally Posted by Jordan.

Wrong choice, he should be coming back for XF whilst people still care not ****ty BGT.

Who said he wont be?

[_Seth]

Well I hope the judging panel stays as 3. Just ****ing bring back Piers and it'll all be good.

[Mystic Mock]

I cant believe im saying this after some of the terrible stuff that he did to it last year,come back to X Factor Simon Cowell? it misses you and Dannii.

[Callum]

Great news, hope he returns to XF too next year. Gary Barlow was such a poor replacement for him.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by Jordan.

Wrong choice, he should be coming back for XF whilst people still care not ****ty BGT.

BGT gets more viewers

Its been rubbish since series 3 but I still prefer it to X Factor

[Mystic Mock]

I honestly dont get the point of BGT,its just X Factor but with more clowns.

[Harry!]

I hate Simon but as long as Dannii Minogue appears I am happy. Team Minogue <3

[reece(:]

ant and dec + simon cowell = ratings winner