Simon Cowell 'Holding X Factor Yacht Summit'

Simon Cowell will summon the judges on The X Factor to his yacht at a crucial stage in this year's series, The Sun has reported.

The reality TV tycoon in claimed to be keen to get more involved in this year's show - and will apparently  be welcoming Gary Barlow, Nicole Scherzinger, Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne aboard his luxury vessel in the Med.

The paper claims that the judges' summit will come at the end of the "boot camp" phase of the contest - when SiCo will reveal to the judges which groups they are mentoring.

It also suggests that the show boss will have some input into which acts will progress to the "judges' houses".

A source said: "Simon wanted to be involved on screen this year.

"We originally intended to do the Boot Camp stage in Miami and he would likely have had a much bigger role. But that plan didn't work out so it will again take place at Wembley Arena next month.

"We decided it would add extra glamour — and not interrupt Simon’s holiday too much — if we took the mountain to Mohammed.

"The judges will get on a plane to his yacht wherever it is in the Med. He'll chat through the acts and then dish out the categories."

A special "mash-up" video featuring the show's biggest stars was released yesterday.

SEE PICS FROM THE X FACTOR 2013