Simon Cowell has this week signed a deal which sees him tied to ITV until at least 2008.

The deal was in no small way due to the huge success of the recent series of The X Factor, which ended on Saturday night with viewing figures of 9.2 million.

Simon said: “ITV gave me my first break on television and I’m incredibly grateful. This was a very easy decision to make.”

“We’ve had a fantastic relationship and I’m looking forward to another successful two years.”

ITV director of programmes Nigel Pickard said: “Simon Cowell is undoubtedly one of the biggest faces of ITV and we are delighted to have signed him exclusively as a performer for two more years.”