Harry Styles 'for sensational X Factor return' as Simon Cowell looks to boost ratings

Harry Styles is set to make a sensational return to The X Factor in the coming months as Simon Cowell desperately tries to boost the ITV talent show’s ratings, it has been claimed.

According to insiders, Harry has been lined up to return to the show that made him a household name as a guest, with Simon keen to have the One Direction star perform during the live shows.

Simon is keen to boost ratings. Copyright: [Rex]
Simon is keen to boost ratings. Copyright: [Rex]

Speaking to The Sun, a source explained: “Harry could very well be back on the X Factor stage this year. Simon has made it clear he is very keen to have him on in a guest slot.

“He sees him as a major ratings boost for the show and it’s also a chance for him to publicly show his support for Harry as a solo artist.

“Meanwhile, Harry is incredibly loyal to his roots and knows the show is a great platform to showcase his material. Discussions are ongoing but things are looking positive.”

Harry has had huge success as a solo artist. Copyright: [PA]
Harry has had huge success as a solo artist. Copyright: [PA]

Harry shot to fame when he auditioned as a solo artist on the X Factor in 2010, aged just 16.

Simon then put him into the band One Direction alongside Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Liam Payne and Zayn Malik, with the fivesome going on to have unprecedented success across the globe.

At the end of 2015, One Direction announced that they were going on hiatus, with Harry landing a role in Christopher Nolan’s Hollywood was epic ‘Dunkirk’, which opened to rave reviews earlier this year.

His debut solo album also shot to the top of the charts following its April release and Harry is set to go on his first sold-out solo tour later in the year.

Louis Tomlinson made his solo debut on The X Factor. Copyright: [ITV]
Louis Tomlinson made his solo debut on The X Factor. Copyright: [ITV]

If he does perform during the X Factor’s live shows then Harry will be following in the footsteps of his bandmate Louis Tomlinson, who made his solo album debut during the X Factor final last year, performing chart-topping single ‘Just Hold On’ alongside Steve Aoki.

Although he no longer works for Simon, Harry remains on good terms with his former boss, recently saying in an interview: “He’s wonderful.

“It’s been cool to go from working with him to have him call as a friend.”

Here’s hoping that we’ll be seeing some more of Harry during this year’s season of the show.

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