Cowell jets back to rescue X Factor

Simon Cowell has reportedly dashed back to the UK to rescue The X Factor by giving the show a quick revamp.

The music mogul - currently working as a judge on the US version of his talent show - is reportedly overseeing a re-edit of this week's auditions shows, following a slump in ratings and complaints from viewers, the Daily Mirror reported.

Simon has flown in from the US and a source said he is sitting through the rough edits and making changes where he feels they are needed.

This is the first week the show will air on both Saturday and Sunday night and the first time this year that the TV mogul has been so hands-on with the UK show.

The show launched this year with 8.1 million viewers tuning in, three million less that the opening night last year.

The average viewing figures for the third show last Saturday was 8.6 million, much less than the figures for the early audition stages in 2011.

There have been complaints from fans that there has been too much reality drama in the X Factor auditions this year and not enough singing.

On hour-long slot had just eight minutes of singing, among the advertising and back stories that filled the show.