The Axe Factor: Will Cowell scrap the UK show? Pic: TalkbackThames
ITV bosses are said to be concerned that Simon Cowell may be planning to scrap the UK version of The X Factor, according to a report.
TV executives are worried that the entertainment mogul may ditch the singing contest to focus his efforts on launching the show franchise in the US.
Sources told a tabloid newspaper that channel chiefs have been "searching for a replacement" for The X Factor.
An insider told the Daily Mirror that ITV has been considering making a project with Jonathan Ross to fill the potential gap.
An ITV source told the newspaper: "Despite their public assurances that X Factor will be back next year, bosses are increasingly uneasy that they could be mistaken and their most successful and profitable show will vanish until 2012 and may not even come back at all.
"They can't take anything for granted and that's why they have decided to draw up these contingency plans."
They added: "The fact that Simon hasn't signed the deal yet has made everyone very jittery indeed - especially in these lean financial times."
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