"In a good place now": Gary Barlow set for X Factor return after feud with Simon Cowell ends

"In a good place now": Gary Barlow set for X Factor return after feud with Simon Cowell ends

Simon Cowell has ended his year-long feud with Gary Barlow â€" paving the way for the Take That star to return as an X Factor judge.

Insiders say the pair, who had not spoken since last February, have recently held peace talks to patch up their differences.

A source close to Cowell told the Mirror: “Simon and Gary are in a good place now â€" and Gary looks a good bet to be back on the show this year.”

The singer was strongly tipped to walk away after a string of bust-ups during his time on last year’s series.

Cowell had made it obvious that he was not a fan and did not see Barlow as an integral part of the set-up.

In a biography, Sweet Revenge, written with his blessing, he described him as “wooden”.

The book also reported that Simon was irritated over Gary being awarded an OBE last year â€" and expressed his delight when the singer was revealed to have used an allege d tax avoidance scheme in June.

Last time: Gary Barlow, Nicole Scherzinger, Tulisa and Louis Walsh

 

Gary has always insisted the tax scheme â€" also used by bandmates Howard Donald and Mark Owen â€" was not illegal and they only joined it following expert advice.

In December, Cowell, 53, is said to have hinted he “had another star in mind” and would ditch him from X Factor.

At the time Gary, 42, said: “I don’t talk to Simon, I talk to ITV.”

He also said of this year’s series: “To be honest, I don’t know if there is room in my diary for X Factor.”

But throughout the feud, ITV have remained big fans of Gary and are keen to get him back again this year.

As the Mirror reported yesterday, show bosses aim to revamp the show following flagging ratings â€" and are currently in talks with Spice Girl Mel B to replace N-Dubz singer Tulisa on the judging panel.

Feisty Scary is said to have mad e a big impression on Cowell and Barlow when she appeared as a guest judge last year.

A source said: “ITV, Simon and X Factor execs all met up in the last few weeks.

"They have come up with a list of judges they want â€" and Gary is one of them.”