Simon Cowell is considering having five people on the 'X Factor' judging panel after Cheryl Tweedy expressed an interest in returning to the show.

Simon Cowell

Simon Cowell

The 'Crazy Stupid Love' hitmaker made a brief return to the show for Simon's Judges Houses this year and wants her seat on the panel back permanently but Simon is a little torn as he really likes the current judging line up, which includes himself, Louis Walsh Nicole Scherzinger and Sharon Osbourne.

He told The Sun on Sunday newspaper: "Nothing's a done deal and I do like this panel. But the good news is that now more people want to do the show than before. Is Cheryl keen to come back? She is, yes - I guess she is.

"I think I'll go into the New Year and then see how everyone feels. In the past, I've had to beg ­people to do the show, and it wasn't always that easy. People would do it for a ­season, and say, 'Right, I'm not coming back.' But now it's easier to do the show, it's much more fun. Maybe I'll have five people on the panel."

It comes after Nicole revealed she has been asked to return to 'X Factor' next year.

She said: "I've been asked to return and hopefully we can make it work. I love it so most likely I will come back. I never know what's going to happen but 'The X Factor' feels like family to me. The show is too much fun for me not to come back. I love this job and I love this country."

Cheryl's partner Liam Payne - who was also a contestant on the show as part of boy band One Direction - previously revealed Simon was "desperate" for Cheryl to come back.

He said: "Cheryl and Simon spoke about her going back next year. Obviously Simon is desperate to get her back. Cheryl and Simon have such a lovely relationship.

"Obviously she's been off for quite a long time with Bear but it was great for her to get back out and do the Judges' Houses."