Simon Cowellis claimed to have a radical solution for the show's waning popularity up his sleeve - getting the original judging panel back.
Sharon Osbourne back on the show with Louis Walshand himself.
And Dannii Minogue is apparently another target, even though she refused an offer to come back for this year's show.
SiCo is reportedly planning to make a number of guest appearances on the show himself next year, which is its 10th anniversary.
A source told the paper: "The first three series relied solely on genuine British talent and a chemistry between the judges that simply hasn't been there since Sharon left.
"By series three they had produced an international star with Leona Lewis and the show had real credibility.
"Now it's just a circus freak show with the ringmaster trying to pull the strings on the other side of the Atlantic. If Simon can get the original judges and format back he will truly have pulled victory from the jaws of defeat."
Sharon O has been [uuid=17f6930a-12fc-4bb9-8fd9-3fe191043edc]publicly lobbying for a return to the show[/uuid], urging her Twitter followers to tell SiCo to hire her back.
It is still unclear whether [uuid=1a50afd5-e92d-4eb5-b52f-0fb36c5a4705]Lucy Spraggan[/uuid] or [uuid=a05731b4-064e-43c6-84e1-eee6b0f42009]Josh from Union J[/uuid] will appear in this evening's show.

[uuid=52440b59-a391-4181-80ec-003ec4154c8e]THE X FACTOR IS BACK FOR 2012! CHECK OUT PICS HERE[/uuid]