• Diets
• Bingo
• Subscribe
• Give a gift

Monday, 24 August 2009

• Prev
• Next

Simon Cowell: New X Factor is tougher than ever

Judge believes in raising the bar

Simon Cowell is also a judge on ITV1 show Britain's Got Talent

Simon Cowell thinks the The X Factor is even more demanding this year.

The judge wanted to make the competition more challenging.

‘I believe in constantly raising the bar,’ he says. ‘[This year’s show] is bigger, better, faster and tougher.’

Simon, 49, has transformed the format of the first round for the new series.

‘It was time to change things, make it different,’ he tells Now Online.

‘Holding auditions in front of live audiences is testing but allows real talent to shine through.’

The X Factor returned to ITV1 on Saturday.

SEE PICTURES SNEAK PEEK at The X Factor auditions >>

SEE PICTURES The X Factor: Where are they now? >>

SEE PICTURES The X Factor live shows 2008 - best moments >>

Claire Slobodian