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SIMON Cowell last night said he may be ready to QUIT X Factor after the next series—admitting it was exhausting to do the show plus American Idol and Britain’s Got Talent.

The X Factor boss said: “It looks like I’m only going to be doing it until 2010. I’ve really felt it this year. When you do three shows a year it’s tiring and something’s got to give.

“I’m contracted to do one more series and then I’ll make a decision. I’ll see how I feel in the New Year.”

The music mogul also hinted fellow judge Dannii Minogue may choose to walk after this series—and hailed Cheryl as “this year’s real winner”.

Rumours have been rife over Simon’s clashes with Dannii, with accusations flying that she is jealous of his friendship with new judge Cheryl.

Meanwhile Dannii embarrassed Simon by claiming on live TV that she “discovered” last year’s winner Leon Jackson. Simon told News of the World: “It was stupid. There was no need to have said that.”

When asked if Dannii would be back next year, Simon said: “I’m going to sit down in January and ask everyone if they want to come back on the show—because I’m not sure everyone does.

“Dannii and I have genuinely never discussed her coming back. I’ve not sat down with anyone and discussed coming back—including her. If Dannii says no then there’s always someone new, and that applies to everyone.”

He said about Dannii’s alleged jealousy of Cheryl: “I don’t think she was hurt about me sitting next to Cheryl. I think with the new person you’ve got to sit next to them and guide them through the show—that’s the only reason I sat next to Cheryl.
Energy

“Dannii has been incredibly emotional and has cried a lot but I think there’s nothing the show has done that’s driven her to that. She’s just an emotional person. I think she gets very stressed about the artists but I like that. I think you should care about your artists.”

About Newcastle girl Cheryl, he gushed: “There’s no doubt that when she came onboard the show changed. It just became exciting, it felt different. She bought a different energy to it, she made us better and it felt like the show was starting again.

“I think it’s very important that when you’re making a show in London that you remember a vast amount of your audience live in the north of England.”

Last year Simon sacked Louis from the judging panel–but brought him back after a public outcry. Yesterday he reassured X Factor fans that Louis’ job was safe because he couldn’t face going through that again!

He laughed: “I don’t think I would ever sack Louis again–it was too stressful.”