Cowell demands extra £3m

The judge has threatened to axe X Factor if ITV don't pay out...

14:12 11 December 2009

Simon Cowell has threatened to axe The X Factor unless ITV pay out more money.

The show judge and producer is refusing to sign another deal with the broadcaster unless they pay an additional £3 million, according to the Sun.

Speaking at the press conference ahead of this year's final, Cowell said: "Where we stand next year, we have no deal in place for The X Factor.

"Until that's concluded I can't really tell you about changes at the moment, because we've got to get that sorted first of all.

He added: "We always said that we'd stop making the show when people don't want to see it.

"But it's been very successful because ITV have invested a lot into it to make it better.

"I think there is genuine interest from the people behind the show to bring it back - but if we do, it needs to be better than this year."

The 50-year-old's request for additional funding is likely to hold weight if this weekend's final draws in the expected 20 million viewers.

ITV already pay out £1.7 million each weekend on the shows.  

Cowell recently announced plans to take the talent show to Las Vegas in a global pay-per-view joint internet venture with Topshop tycoon Philip Green.