Simon Cowell is reintroducing the live audience auditions on 'The X Factor'.

Simon Cowell

Simon Cowell

The 55-year-old music mogul plans to reintroduce the feature - and, in turn, scrap the one-on-one audition rooms in which contestants sing in front of the judging panel - as he plans to increase falling TV ratings.

The private rooms were a feature of the show until 2008 and they were later brought back in 2012.

Subsequently, fans have called for the return of the live audience auditions and Simon has heeded their pleas, as he's "determined" to make this year's series better than ever, The Sun newspaper reports.

As part of Simon's planned shake-up of the ITV show, the 'X Factor' supremo is also expected to rejig the judging panel, with rumours suggesting he has dispensed with the services of Mel B after just one series.

Meanwhile, it was recently suggested Demi Lovato is close to signing a contract for 'The X Factor'.

The 22-year-old star was a judge on the US version of the show for two years from 2012 and is said to have agreed to join the UK version.

A source said: "Simon's management phoned to see when Demi could sign her contract about a week ago.

"They both have busy schedules but she is planning to do it as soon as possible and Simon is eager to get the judging panel sorted."