REPORT: COWELL MAKING X FACTOR “TOUGHER”

Although Simon Cowell is not appearing as a judge on the British version of The X Factor next season so that he can devote his full attention to launching the American version of the talent contest, the London Star reported today (Wednesday) that Cowell is working on revamping the show and brought files of material with him while he vacations on his yacht in the French Riviera. (He’s the producer/creator of the series, which launches its season premiere in the U.K. later this month and its series debut in the U.S. in September.) The newspaper said that Cowell is planning a “tougher” series for next season, assigning the contestants to “grueling workshops, dance classes, songwriting sessions, masterclasses with special guests and ‘lightning auditions.'” The Star quoted a source as saying, “Simon may not be on X Factor U.K. this year but he is making sure it keeps its sparkle. He’s really putting the pressure on.”