Look who's back! Simon Cowell surprises judges making his big return on U.K. X Factor... but will he be staying as a mentor?

By SARAH FITZMAURICE

Look who's back! Simon Cowell surprises the judges on the U.K. version of the X Factor making a return earlier today


He quit the U.K. X factor to launch the U.S. version of the show but today Simon Cowell made his return.

The media mogul found himself in front of the judging panel desk, rather than behind it as he popped in to see just how things were getting on without him.

The new judges, Tulisa Contostavlos, Kelly Rowland and Gary Barlow seem to have settled in just fine, alongside veteran judge Louis Walsh.


Sharing a joke? Louis laughs at the music mogul while Gary and Kelly looked on


But the gang may have been surprised to see Simon who approached the judges desk before placing his hands down, to tower above the seated panel.

And he joked to the 10,000 strong crowd at the 02: 'Shall I take Louis seat?'

And it seems that may not won’t be the last we see of Mr Cowell on the U.K. version of the show as Xtra Factor host Olly Murs has suggested that Simon will be called in at the judges houses stage to help his replacement Take That’s Mr Barlow.


Staring out overseas: Simon left the U.K. judging panel to launch the contest in the states seen here the other judges and host Steve Jones before Cheryl Cole was fired from the lineup


Former X Factor contestant Olly was speaking to Alex James on his In Demand radio show earlier today where he revealed who would be acting as a mentors on the show.

He said: 'I'm really intrigued to know who are going to be the mentors this year.


In the know? Xtra Factor host Olly Murs has said that he thinks Simon Cowell will be act as Gary's mentor


‘You can kind of guess, but I kind of have a theory on who it will be. I think Gary is going to have Simon, possibly. I just feel that Simon will want to come back at some point, just to show his face.’

He added: ‘If he [Simon] doesn't then I think it will obviously be Robbie or the Take That Boys. He might get the groups. Imagine being in a group and then singing in front of the judges and it is Take That.’

The 27-year-old Essex lad also said he thought Kelly Rowland’s Destiny’s Child band member Beyonce would also take on the role as a mentor.

Simon left the U.K. version of the X Factor to launch the show stateside alongside Paula Abdul, L.A. Reid and Cheryl Cole.


Across the pond: While Simon was visiting the judges on in the U.K. Cheryl arrived into L.A.X. with her bandmate Kimberley Walsh


But just three days in to the auditions Cheryl was dropped from the lineup and replaced by Nicole Scherzinger, who was originally set to host the show alongside Steve Jones.

After keeping a low profile for the past month the Girls Aloud singer has jetted back to L.A. with her bandmate Kimberley Walsh.

And after she was left humiliated by the X Factor sacking and said to be furious with Simon the pair are said to have patched things up.

A source told Heat magazine:'Cheryl and Simon had a long conversation and they’ve agreed to patch things up. Simon had texted Cheryl numerous times with no reply and Cheryl finally called him and broke down about everything that had happened.'

source: dailymail