With just days left before the winner of this year's X Factor is announced, it's a nail-biting time for finalists Joe McElderry, Stacy Solomon and Olly Murs. But Simon Cowell had some words this week that may make the contestants feel more jittery than they already are.
"I won't make any commitment to anyone other than the winner," said the judge. "Particularly this year, it is more important to win than any other year. I don't want to pile any more pressure on them but it's fame or obscurity."
The music mogul is looking to the future with his hit show, and has hinted that he may take the programme elsewhere unless he can secure more money to invest on production.
"We've got to make sure that if we do bring it back it's going to be better than this year," said the 50-year-old, who is believed to be seeking an increase on the £1.7 million he currently receives from ITV.
Simon also spoke out about an internet campaign to prevent the X Factor single reaching number one this Christmas. Miley Cyrus track The Climb will be recorded by the eventual winner, but a group set up on Facebook is trying to get Rage Against The Machine's 1992 song Killing In The Name Of to the top of the festive chart.
"I think the campaign's aimed directly at me. It's stupid," he explained. "Me having a No1 record at Christmas is not going to change my life particularly. It does however change these guys' lives and we put this opportunity there so that the winner of the X Factor gets the chance of having a big hit record."
