Simon says all four judges should be back

Simon Cowell has said that it is likely all four X Factor judges from last year will remain on the 2012 panel.

According to The Sun, the Syco boss believes that Gary Barlow, Kelly Rowland and Tulisa Contostavlos “should” return for a second year alongside veteran Louis Walsh.

When asked about the panel, Cowell is quoted as saying: “My gut feeling is all four should come back.”

Irish mogul Walsh last week said that Rowland is the only panellist whose position he was “not sure about”.

The 59-year-old seemed to suggest Nicole Scherzinger, who recently announced her exit fromThe X Factor USA, as a possible replacement.

Meanwhile, Barlow and Contostavlos have consistently outlined their desire to stay on the ITV talent show.