'X Factor' live shows will be "unrecognisable"

Simon Cowell has promised that this year's X Factor live shows will be "almost unrecognisable" from last year's.

The acid-tongued judge said that he was "upping the ante" and creating a final stage that would be "bigger, better and different" from before.

"I don't want to give too much away but there are going to be a lot of guests," he explained, speaking at the press launch of the new series earlier this week.

Cowell's American Idol colleague Paula Abdul makes a special appearance in the first episode, helping audition contestants in London. "She brought an American sensibility," recalled Cowell. "She liked most people. In fact, she liked everyone."

The X Factor returns tonight at 6.50pm on ITV1.