It has been confirmed that Simon Cowell will be back on the X Factor this year ‘in some guise.’

The music mogul left the UK series last year, to concentrate on his US version of the talent show and didn’t make an appearance at all in 2011, except for a satellite link up on The Xtra Factor on ITV2.

However, he is planning to take part in some way later in the 2012 series and ITV boss Richard Holloway revealed that he would be back “in some guise, somewhere.”

When questioned on how, when and why the star would return, the executive producer remained tight lipped and simply teased:

“Ooh, that would be giving it away, wouldn’t it?

“That’s all I’m prepared to say – it’s not a hologram.”

For now we know that Simon has already been filmed assigning the judges their categories and informing Gary Barlow that he’s working with the overs, Louis Walsh that he has the groups, Tulisa that she will be mentoring the girls and Nicole Scherzinger that she is coaching the boys this year.

It is rumoured that Simon will appear on one of the live shows, either in person or via video link from his studios in LA.

An X Factor source told The Mirror:

“Simon’s return is being looked at, certainly.

“Elements of that have already been filmed and he will definitely appear at the stage where the judges find out which contestants they will be looking after. We hope there will be more.

“The only difficulty is with Simon being based in the US. The plan is for him to be a significant on-screen part of the show. He’s a big favourite with viewers.”

Cowell will return to American screens next month, when his US series launches on the Fox network. However he is staying involved with his UK acts and this week wished former winners Little Mix luck with their new single ‘Wings’ which was released on Sunday.

He tweeted:

‘Good Luck to @LittleMixOffic this week – very proud of you girls’

It is thought that bosses are hoping an appearance by Simon will help them increase ratings on the series, which have been at a low for the last two episodes. Only 8.7 million people tuned in for Saturday’s installment, in comparison to 10 million for the same week last year.

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