Simon Cowell 'to launch BGT festive special'

Simon Cowell is set to launch a \'Britain\'s Got Talent\' Christmas special.

The 60-year-old music mogul will lead ITV\'s festive bonanza with a Christmas spectacular of the talent show, which see past contestants and winners, including Susan Boyle and Paul Potts, as well as judges Amanda Holden, David Walliams, Alesha Dixon and Simon - if he has recovered from his recent back injury - celebrate the festive season.

A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Simon has not done Christmas before and ITV jumped at the chance to put \'Britain\'s Got Talent\' at the very heart of their festive schedule.

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"It does huge ratings, so why not unleash it at a different time of year to mix things up a bit. The show will be a jam-packed full of Christmas cheer and music. It will not be a competition as such but a celebration of the show."

The episode is reportedly going to be pre-recorded next month after the main show wraps its finale.

It comes after Simon\'s ITV singing competition \'The X Factor\' - which runs up to December - was shelved for this year as the talent judge decided the series needed a break and would be returning in 2021.

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A TV insider said: "Simon wants to really think through the show and how to reinvigorate it for the future.

"Although The X Factor is contracted for one more series, ITV totally understand the rationale behind the idea of resting it this year and want to give Simon and the team the time to do what they feel is right."

However, ITV \'s director of television Kevin Lygo has admitted he isn\'t certain if boss Simon Cowell will bring his show back to screens next year, as there are no "definite" plans in place.

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Speaking at the Edinburgh TV Festival, Kevin said: "It\'s not definitely returning, it might return. The format will be tweaked. When we talk about format changes, it was our most successful entertainment show for a decade and you need to be wary of changes.

"I\'m sure \'X Factor\' will be back at some stage and it\'s really when is the right moment. Simon controls it - when does he want it to come back and how does he want it to come back? And hopefully we can be part of that."