The three other X Factor judges, ie, the ones that aren’t Simon Cowell are said to be stalling on signing their contracts for this years series, as they are all hoping for a pay rise from ITV.

Last week news emerged that the X Factor would be going all Strictly Come Dancing and having a live Saturday night performance show followed by a results show on Sunday night.

Sharon Osbourne, Louis Walsh and Dannii Minogue, who are rumoured to have been offered £1.5 million, £800,000 and £500,000 respectively are now holding out for more cash because they will have to work one more night a week.

An ITV source told The Sun: “We are working everything through now and just waiting to dot the Is and cross the Ts.

“We’re very nearly there, but now that the judges have heard about the new show they want a bit more cash.

“And once one asks, then the rest of them ask. We’ll get there in the end.”