Simon Cowell has reportedly already started lining-up the new star-studded cast for the return of The X Factor.
The music mogul, 59, confirmed earlier this year that there will be two versions of the ITV singing competition - an all-star edition with former contestants and one for celebrities.
According to The Sun, Simon is reportedly 'spending all his time sourcing contestants' instead of 'finding replacements for former judges Robbie Williams and Ayda Field'.
Bringing back the stars: Simon Cowell has reportedly already started lining-up the new star-studded cast for the return of The X Factor, after confirming earlier this year that there will be two versions of the ITV singing competition
With the publication claiming that the show boss has already lined-up the likes of Leona Lewis, Chico and Shayne Ward for the all-star edition.
MailOnline has contacted Simon's representative and ITV for comment.
If the reports are true, joining Leona, Chico and Shayne could be the likes of Rhydian Roberts, Diana Vickers, Jedward, James Arthur, Wagner, Honey G, Katie Waissel, Christopher Maloney and Sam Bailey.
Recruiting former favourites: According to The Sun , Simon is reportedly 'spending all his time sourcing contestants' instead of 'finding replacements for former judges Robbie Williams and Ayda Field'
Already snapped up? With the publication claiming that the show boss has already lined-up the likes of Leona Lewis, Chico and Shayne Ward (pictured) for the all-star edition
It's unlikely that former X Factor star Stacey Solomon will be joining the show as she is currently pregnant with her third child, while former previous contestant Rylan has just landed a new job on BBC's It Takes Two with Zoe Ball.
It has also been reported that X Factor superstars One Direction, Little Mix and Olly Murs are unlikely to appear on the series.
The X Factor judging panel is also up for speculation too after Robbie Williams and Ayda Field quit The X Factor after just one year.
Walking away: The X Factor judging panel is also up for speculation too after Robbie Williams and Ayda Field quit The X Factor after just one year
No wiggle room: The singer, 45, and his actress wife, 39, apparently walked away from their £10million pay packets after they were refused a pay increase, The Sun reports
The couple took to Instagram to share the announcement as they wrote: 'A quick update from Team Williams… it's been a very busy year so far and Vegas has been incredible - we cannot wait for June and July to do it all again...
'We've got some very big announcements coming soon - but we can't reveal all yet. Sadly as it's impossible to do everything, we're gutted to tell you we won't be able to return to The X Factor this year.
Including ITV+1
2018 5.70 million
2016 6.80 million
2014 9.50 million
2017 6.20 million
2015 7.65 million
2013 8.78 million
'We will be working on projects with Simon going forward - and as huge fans of the show, we will still be tuning into The X Factor, voting and winding Simon up!'
Simon revealed his plans for two new formats of the show in February, in an interview with The Sun he insisted that the 'time feels right' for the massive shake-up, but is still in the process of ironing out the details.
He explained: 'The time feels right, and it will be a huge change... essentially there are going to be two versions of X Factor running this year.
’I'm waiting for confirmation this week on some dates and clarification on the second show, but all we’re trying to do is upgrade and glamorise the show.
'Then next year the main X Factor show will change again and we’ve got something very, very exciting, that I can’t get into yet, but it’s a four-year plan.'
X Factor has lost 3million viewers in five years while last year's edition of Britain's Got Talent saw an average of 8.7 million viewers tune in, 500,000 more than 2017.
Despite the dip in ratings, however, The X Factor's initial audition show remained the most watched programme on TV on Saturday night across all channels.
Ratings don't take into account viewers who watch The X Factor via repeats, online and on mobile - and the launch show pulled in a staggering 5 billion viewers on YouTube.
It launched with 5.7 million viewers and a 34 per cent share of viewing,
