Celebrity X Factor could make a comeback – and Simon Cowell wants David Walliams to sign up

Simon Cowell is considering bringing back the CELEBRITY version of The X Factor amid talks with ITV over the show’s future.

Bosses launched an all-star edition of the talent contest in summer 2006, following the first two regular series.

EastEnders actress Lucy Benjamin was voted the winner, beating the likes of Chris Moyles, Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee and, er, Gillian McKeith.

Meanwhile, judge Sharon Osbourne caused controversy with her acid-tongued remarks about Rebecca Loos.

The X Factor: Battle Of The Stars aired over eight consecutive nights to decent ratings, attracting 6million viewers.

However, once it had ended, Cowell branded the show “pointless” and vowed it would never return.

At the time, he told The Sun: “The ratings were good but what we’re supposed to be looking for is a new artist.

“The only validity for my doing these shows is that I’m doing my day job on a TV – which is trying to find artists for the label.

“So when I’m judging celebs, I’m not actually doing my job. I’m just being on a TV show.”

Now, twelve years later, it seems the Syco chief has had a change of heart.

He told The Sun’s TV Magazine: “Celebrity X Factor wasn’t one of my favourite shows, but for some reason I do actually want to do it again.

Simon joked: “I’m hoping we’re going to do this soon. I’d like to mentor David Walliams!”

This news comes as a surprise, as ITV’s schedule is already full of talent shows.

The Voice UK leads in to Britain’s Got Talent at the start of the year. The Voice Kids then airs over the summer, followed by X Factor in the autumn and winter months.

ITV has reportedly agreed an extension of its deal with Cowell for both The X Factor or Britain’s Got Talent, however there is yet to be an official announcement.