ITV 'close' to new Cowell deal

ITV is poised to announce a new deal that will keep Simon Cowell with the broadcaster for three more years.

The contract will also ensure that his two reality shows, The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent, will remain on air until 2013.

Speaking to advertisers yesterday, ITV's director of television Peter Fincham said that they were in the final stages of reaching an agreement.

"I had been hoping to be in a position to say we had done long term deals for The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent," he said. "There has been a lot of talk and speculation but I don't think I am being too confident to say we are almost there."

The future and timing of both series have been called into doubt in recent months after Cowell announced plans to launch The X Factor in the US in September 2011.