Simon Cowell 'could give up' British X Factor

Simon Cowell's new X Factor US series starts next September in America

Simon Cowell has said he could ditch next year's X Factor. He only has a contract with ITV1 for this year's series.

He is also signed up to make the US version of the show. But that's all.

He said: "There has got to be a mood here for these shows and I have always been very conscious of that.

"You can't force anything. At the moment you are going to see me doing one show, and not in England."

Switch dates

There's speculation in the US that when the American X Factor starts it will get an autumn slot.

That would force ITV to switch the dates for the UK version.

If that happened, then Cowell's appearance on Britain's Got Talent could be in doubt.

The 50-year-old said: "I haven't decided if I am doing BGT... [but] X Factor will have to move and we have to decide whether we can make the show better. Do people want it back?

"Even though I have got some plans, I'm going to have to wait a few more weeks before I make a final decision."

The comments will make worrying reading for ITV executives as the channel tries to negotiate a deal with Cowell.

Last weekend's X Factor pulled in 12.5 million viewers with his shows making millions through advertising.

New panel

Simon Cowell said it's likely that Britain's Got Talent will have a new look panel when it returns in 2011.

It's thought Piers Morgan may leave to host a US chat show.

Cowell himself has hinted that he may only appear as an extra judge on the live finals and act as executive producer.

At the moment the X Factor judge is in Spain where he's filming with this year's groups.

He's also choosing the new judges for the US version of The X Factor with Cheryl Cole hotly tipped for a place on the panel.

One thing is sure, Strictly Come Dancing won't be clashing with X Factor this week.

Strictly's hour-long launch show this Saturday (11 September) will end at 7.25pm with The X Factor beginning over on ITV1 at 7.45pm.