X Factor - Simon Cowell interview

Friday, 7 September 2007

With X Factor 2007 in full swing, we spoke to Simon Cowell about the show and his expectations.

Are you fired up about doing the fourth series of The X Factor?
Yes of course, every year we promise to make the show bigger and better than ever before and this year I believe will be the best series to date. We've had some of the best talent I've seen come through the doors, as well as some of the best worst auditionees we've ever had.

What's it like having Louis back in the fold and are you regretting your decision yet?!
It's great having Louis back, if I am honest Sharon and I did miss not having him on the panel.

Tell us a bit more about Brian's role on the show?
Brian will use his vast experience as a dancer and choreographer and will work in that aspect of the live shows, to choreographing the acts performances and styling the contestants.

How has having Dannii on board as a new judge changed the dynamic of the panel?
Dannii is a great addition to the show, she has been in the business since she was a child so has a lot of valuable experience she can pass on to the contestants, as well as bringing a new dynamic to the judging panel, plus she's far better looking than Louis!

Has having an extra judge intensified the competition between you all?
So far we have all been working as a team at the auditions, and this year for the first time we will be holding just one Bootcamp where we'll all work together to decide who gets through to the next round. But I am sure once we get to the live studio shows the competition between us all will increase, especially from Louis who is one of the most competitive people I've ever met! And Sharon has never won a series so I'm sure she'll be determined to get one over on me this year!

Any stand out moments from the auditions?
There has been so many, we've had a reformed lap dancer and a woman who did impressions of a horse plus some of the worst groups we have ever seen.

What made you decide to reduce the age category to include 14 year olds?
I have always thought that there is a market for younger acts to make an impression on the music industry, so we dropped the age range to accommodate this.

Will there be any further twists to the format this year?
There will be a few but you'll have to wait and see!

Which category are you hoping to mentor this year?
The winning one!

How important is The X Factor to you?
The X Factor is such a big part of my life, we all spend over six months of the year working on the show which can feel relentless at times, but when you get someone like Leona or Shayne walking into the room it makes it all worthwhile.

How have you upped the ante to ensure series four is bigger and better than ever before?
As well as having a fourth Judge and a new fourth category, which will add an extra dimension to the show, there will also be a few twists and turns along the way.

Image (C) ITV Plc