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Gary Barlow broke the news last night on his twitter account “I’m so happy to tell you all that I’m back on the X Factor this year! See you at auditions."

Great news that Gary is back doing something that he clearly enjoys!



However it looks like Gary and Simon aren't seeing eye to eye:

ITV forced Simon Cowell into a humiliating climbdown yesterday – by securing the early X Factor return of Gary Barlow.

Cowell admitted he wanted to sack the Take That star, who proved hugely popular when he replaced the music mogul on the judging panel last year.

In his bombshell biography, he reckoned Barlow was “too scripted” and a “bit stiff” and had pledged to fire at least two of the judges.

Now executives – reeling this week after a string of controversies surrounding Cowell – have made it crystal-clear head judge Gary is the show’s star.

In a hasty statement, Cowell, 52, gushed yesterday: “It’s great to be able to confirm our first judge for this year’s show. Gary has earned his place and I’m excited to be working with him again.”

And the man deemed not good enough by Cowell will even secure a massive half a million pay INCREASE to come back on the panel.

ITV chiefs were angered in January when he arrogantly claimed he “hadn’t decided” whether Barlow would be allowed back or not.
And in a pointed dig at Cowell, ITV boss Peter Fincham said yesterday: “Gary quickly established himself as a key member of the X Factor judging panel, drawing on his years of experience in the music industry to help in the search for our undiscovered singing stars.

"I’m thrilled to welcome him back to the biggest show on British television.”

One senior ITV source said last night: “Everyone’s wondering what on earth he’s got against Gary Barlow. The fact is that he’s probably jealous of him. Gary is popular and wholesome – everything Cowell is turning out not to be.

“Last year was the first time Simon wasn’t on the panel himself and his ego very much wanted the British public to miss him. They didn’t.

“They took to Gary as head judge with open arms and welcomed him to the show. After week one it was a case of ‘Simon who’?

Barlow, 41, last night signed a lucrative deal worth as much as £2 million to return to the hit show – up from last year’s £1.5million pay deal.


Interesting stuff indeed. Not suprised Gary has signed up as he was by far the most popular judge last year according to all the polls that were carried out. Looking forward to seeing what will happen this year. Guess the media will have the knives out for Tulisa or the new judge if Kelly doesn't sign