Simon Cowell has reportedly been holding crisis talks with the The X Factor judges - and there claims he may even fly back to the UK to take charge of the show. According to the People, the mogul has ordered head judge Gary Barlow to "sort this mess out" amid claims that finalists Marcus Collins and Misha B threw tantrums over the decision to vote in a previous reject to replace Frankie Cocozza. There have also been reports of tension behind the scenes after both Craig Colton and Janet Devlin allegedly threatened to quit. "As far as Simon is concerned it is D-Day for The X Factor," a source told the paper. "He wants Gary and the rest of the judges to get a grip and, as he puts, it, step up to the plate big time from now on." Meanwhile an insider told the Daily Star that Simon planned to return to the UK in the coming weeks to sort out the show's problems. "Simon's furious about what's happening to The X Factor," the source said. "He loves nothing more than the show being on the front pages every day but is worried it's for the wrong reasons this year. "His main worry is the show is now being seen as a talentless pantomime rather than a serious talent contest. He has vowed to save it by flying back to take charge." Meanwhile, there are also reports that Simon has begged Cheryl Cole to return to the show. The Daily Mail reports that he contacted the Girls Aloud singer and former X Factor judge when Kelly Rowland missed a recent edition of the show due to illness and tried to persuade her to take her place. And although Alexandra Burke ultimately stepped in, Simon is said to have made Cheryl "an offer she can't refuse" to come back on board, possibly to hold a masterclass for the remaining finalists. A source close to Simon said, "The X Factor UK team and Cheryl did discuss her coming back on the weekend when Kelly was ill. She was up for it but it didn't quite work out - it was very amicable. "Everything is very friendly and I'm sure they will work together on something in the future, but nothing is being discussed at the moment." A spokesman for Cheryl denied she was interesting in returning to the show, saying, "She is over The X Factor. It's behind her, she is moving on with other projects."
