[Me. I Am Salman]

Simon Cowell has reportedly blamed Gary Barlow for The X Factor's drop in ratings.

Barlow, who sits alongside Tulisa Contostavlos, Nicole Scherzinger and Louis Walsh on the judging panel, is apparently being singled out as a reason why the current series has seen its worst viewing figures since 2006.

Cowell is now reportedly planning on replacing 41-year-old Barlow for next year's series after deciding that he takes his judging role "too seriously".

The 53-year-old has allegedly said that he has "another man in mind" to take the Take That star's place.

It has also been reported that Cowell did not want Barlow to return to the show this year, but ITV overturned the decision.

The Times quotes a source as saying: "Cowell doesn't think that he knows enough about who to choose from the auditions. The one thing he did after the 2010 show was to create One Direction, who are now the biggest pop group in the world."

This year, the ITV show has been consistently beaten by BBC's Strictly Come Dancing in the ratings. Some 19.4 million viewers tuned into the 2010 final, but only 8.2 watched last Saturday's episode.

Barlow's final act Christopher Maloney is up against James Arthur and Jahmene Douglas in tonight's final.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s103/...ry-barlow.html

I agree that he's crap judge but I find Simon's reason stupid, that Gary "takes things too seriously". That's the only good thing about him.

But Tulisa is worse.

[Saph]

he has "another man in mind"

If its someone like Paul McCartney then ill cry. Simon should just get rid of Gary and Tulisa and replace them with himself and Sharon so we have Simon, Sharon, Louis & Nicole

[King Gizzard]

Gary is a bit annoying yes but he is the most controversial judge, Fag ash breath-gate wouldn't have happened without him, just replace Tulisa and we'll be alright

[King Gizzard]

Originally Posted by SaphLiike

If its someone like Paul McCartney then ill cry. Simon should just get rid of Gary and Tulisa and replace them with himself and Sharon so we have Simon, Sharon, Louis & Nicole

Macca or someone of that ilk would never do it

[Ramsay]

Yes we just need rid of Tulisa

[Munchkins]

Get rid of Gary and Tulisa imo, both terrible

[King Gizzard]

Nicole, Louis, Rick Astley, Sharon Osbourne

[MeMyselfAndI]

Put Ashley Roberts on the panel over Tulisa

[arista]

Originally Posted by Salman!

I agree that he's crap judge but I find Simon's reason stupid, that Gary "takes things too seriously". That's the only good thing about him.

But Tulisa is worse.

No Gary is the way he is.

Simon himself is to blame - He should return
Feck the americans.

[Princess]

How the feck is it Gary's fault. And 'too serious', more like the only judge who knows what he is talking about. I don't want him next year anyways cos I'd rather he was with Take That but he's not been bad.

[Brother Leon]

Probably been the best judge this series. Nicole was amazing at furst but has faded away slightly.

[Apple202]

ahhahahhahaha yes please

[GiRTh]

Originally Posted by MeMyselfAndLeona

Put Ashley Roberts on the panel over Tulisa

[Jordan.]

It's his own fault for leaving...