Simon Cowell wants the current 'X Factor' judges to return next year.

Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman

Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman

The 57-year-old music mogul has said he is hoping Sharon Osbourne, Louis Walsh and Nicole Scherzinger will remain on the panel on the ITV talent show for next year.

Asked by Digital Spy at the Pride of Britain Awards on Monday night (31.10.16) if he'd like all four of them to come back next year, Simon - who attended the bash with his partner Lauren Silverman - said: "I hope so, yeah. Will you invite them?"

The hunky star previously said that a shake-up of the judging panel, which last year featured Rita Ora, Nick Grimshaw, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and himself, was needed because the previous line up didn't go down to well with viewers.

He said previously: "The fans didn't like last year's panel, you can't ignore them."

Meanwhile, when quizzed on he would like to see win this year's contest, Simon was keeping tight-lipped and said he is constantly changing his mind.

He said: "It's gonna change - I thought I knew but I've changed my mind."

Nicole, 38, previously admitted they're all like family and like to sit down to have a meal together after every Sunday show.

Talking about the bond between the four of them, she explained: "I didn't see the show last year but that's just because I don't watch TV ... I feel like what is so great about this panel is that the relationships speak for themselves. Everything just feels really natural and organic ... We're like a little family, we all hang out. Actually, every Sunday we used to have a family dinner together and we're gonna bring it back."