X Factor judge Gary Barlow has decided that he won’t fly to Spain for this year’s Judges’ Houses round as planned, and has instead asked the show’s producers to allow him to stage the round near to his home.

That is of course so that he can continue to support his wife Dawn, given that the couple are still coming to terms with the tragic death of their baby girl, Poppy, who was stillborn on August 4th.

Originally, Gary had asked that he and his acts remain in Europe for Judges’ Houses, given that he didn’t want to be more than a couple of hours away when Dawn went into labour, but of course, tragically, Poppy was born two weeks early and couldn’t be saved by doctors.

A show insider told the Sun, “The Majorca plan has been ditched. Gary is in no fit state to be out of the country…

“Everyone is completely behind whatever he wants to do.

“He has said that he will stick to the planned September 10 and 11 dates, but now we are looking for a suitable venue near London.”

Gary’s Take That bandmate Robbie Williams is still lined up to be his assistant at Judges’ Houses, and of course, he himself is an expectant dad as his wife Ayda is due to have their first baby any time soon.

With regard to the other judges, Nicole Scherzinger will apparently have Ne-Yo helping her at Judges’ Houses, while it’s believed that 50 Cent will assist Tulisa.

It’s been speculated that former judge Sharon Osbourne will help Louis Walsh, though Simon Cowell’s former sidekick Sinitta is also in the frame.

The X Factor 2012 begins on ITV1 this Saturday at 8pm.