Simon quits X Factor?

Filming UK and US versions 'too much' for judge...

08:51 12 April 2011

Simon Cowell has reportedly told ITV bosses that he will not be appearing as a judge on this year's X Factor.

Network executives had been desperately trying to keep the music mogul on the show, after he said that filming both the US and UK X Factor at the same time would be too much.

Bosses even offered to fly him back and forth across the Atlantic every week.

However, an insider told the Daily Mail that the balancing act is "not feasible".

Sources close to Cowell have also admitted that his decision to leave the UK version of the programme was partly down to health concerns, with one friend saying:

"Everyone in his family is worried about his stress levels; he barely sleeps and has got a lot to juggle at the moment."

Simon is currently involved with five major television shows, X Factor, US X Factor, Britain's Got Talent, America's Got Talent and a new game show fronted by Ant and Dec, Red or Black.

The news comes after weeks of speculation regarding this year's X Factor judging panel.

Judges Dannii Minogue and Louis Walsh are expected to return, but Cheryl's appearance is yet to be confirmed.

An ITV spokesman has said that plans for this year's show "will be announced in due course".