Will Simon agree?

We know that Louis Walsh is returning to The X Factor for two more years but we're still not sure about the rest of the judging panel. Presumably Simon will but it's unclear whether Nicole and Sharon will return. Louis seemed to think they would in a recent interview when he gave out to a journalist for asking if Cheryl would ever return saying, "we have Sharon and Nicole, why would we need Cheryl?" When it comes to Nicole though, she's made it perfectly clear that she will only return on one condition - that the panel stays the same. She told the Digital Spy, "I can't confirm that I'm going to [be back] but I think if I did return it would have to be with this panel because I'm really close with this panel." She added, "I've really enjoyed myself and we're really close. When Simon asked me back and tried to convince me, I said, 'I just want to have fun again'. And it's been fun and we all have respect for each other and relationships, and we have a natural chemistry." She also spoke about conflict of schedule saying, "I would love to come back again. I would love to but I'm in a difficult position that I'm signed to CBS in America and I've been doing [The Talk] for 7 years and I work with amazing women... it's up to Simon if I come back." That didn't stop Mrs O this season so who knows, Simon might be forking out for the extra air miles this time around.