Jesy Nelson is ‘at the top of Simon Cowell’s wish list to become an X Factor judge’ in 2022

Just three months after quitting Little Mix, Jesy Nelson is said to be on Simon Cowell’s radar to fill one of the judges’ seats on next year’s X Factor panel.

Jesy, 29, found fame on the talent show in 2011 when she and Little Mix became the first-ever band to win the competition, under the tutelage of mentor Tulisa.

And with the show set to be rebooted in 2022, after taking a three-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and a four-year break from its usual civilian format, it seems Simon has ideas to bring Jesy home.

New job? Just three months after quitting Little Mix, Jesy Nelson is said to be on Simon Cowell’s radar to fill one of the judges’ seats on next year’s X Factor panel

A source told The Sun: ‘It’s a no-brainer for Simon to have someone as successful as Jesy, who the show made, back on the panel.

‘She knows the ups and downs of the music industry inside out, and what it takes to be a successful pop star.

‘Her name has been banded around by Simon and his team as someone who could breathe a bit of new life into the show when it’s back next year.’

MailOnline has contacted reps for Jesy and ITV for comment. 

Eyes on the prize? It seems Simon has ideas to bring Jesy home

Eyes on the prize? It seems Simon has ideas to bring Jesy home

Winners! Jesy, 29, found fame on the talent show in 2011 when she and Little Mix became the first-ever band to win the competition, under the tutelage of mentor Tulisa [pictured in 2011]

Winners! Jesy, 29, found fame on the talent show in 2011 when she and Little Mix became the first-ever band to win the competition, under the tutelage of mentor Tulisa [pictured in 2011]

Jesy has already appeared as a judge for Little Mix’s talent show, The Search, which has to date aired only one season.

Production on the series – which looks for a new band, rather than an array of categories like X Factor – was also interrupted by the pandemic. 

She quit the band in December 2020, shortly after The Search aired, following the release of Little Mix’s sixth studio album Confetti.

Remaining members Perrie Edwards, Jade Thirlwall, and Leigh-Anne Pinnock will continue in the band – which celebrates 10 years this year.

A source told The Sun: 'It’s a no-brainer for Simon to have someone as successful as Jesy, who the show made, back on the panel!' [pictured in 2011]

A source told The Sun: ‘It’s a no-brainer for Simon to have someone as successful as Jesy, who the show made, back on the panel!’ [pictured in 2011]

Four become three: Jesy quit the band in 2020 [pictured that year], shortly after talent show The Search aired, following the release of Little Mix's sixth studio album Confetti. Remaining members Perrie Edwards, Jade Thirlwall, and Leigh-Anne Pinnock will continue

Four become three: Jesy quit the band in 2020 [pictured that year], shortly after talent show The Search aired, following the release of Little Mix’s sixth studio album Confetti. Remaining members Perrie Edwards, Jade Thirlwall, and Leigh-Anne Pinnock will continue

While Simon is set to reprise his place as head judge on the X Factor panel, the remaining seats – of which there will be presumably three – are yet to be officially confirmed.

When the show aired its last ‘regular’ series in 2018, Simon was joined by Robbie Williams and Ayda Field, as well as Louis Tomlinson.

Louis was also a former contestant, as part of band One Direction, who, although failing to win the 2010 season of the show, went on to global success, before splitting in 2015.

X Factor: Celebrity aired in 2019, which saw famous contestants battle for a record deal. The panel for this comprised of Simon, Louis Walsh and Nicole Scherzinger.

The insider causing the rumours added: 'She knows the ups and downs of the music industry inside out, and what it takes to be a successful pop star' [pictured in 2011]

The insider causing the rumours added: ‘She knows the ups and downs of the music industry inside out, and what it takes to be a successful pop star’ [pictured in 2011]

This was paired with a brief spin-off, X Factor: The Band, which only featured Simon and Nicole.

It was also suggested last month that Cheryl – who has been a judge on the show several times on and off over the years – could be back for a third tenure.

Similarly to Jesy, she found fame on a talent series and went on to be part of a chart-topping British girl group – Girls Aloud.

An insider said the star could be set for a TV comeback, telling The Mirror: ‘Cheryl is still very much in the Cowell fold. She trusts him and he enjoys working with her.

Time for a comeback? Cheryl has reportedly also been tipped for a return to The X Factor when the show returns to screens in 2022  [pictured on the singing show in 2015]

Time for a comeback? Cheryl has reportedly also been tipped for a return to The X Factor when the show returns to screens in 2022  [pictured on the singing show in 2015]

‘He brought her back on TV with The Greatest Dancer and could do the same with the new series of X Factor.’

MailOnline contacted Cheryl and The X Factor’s representatives for a comment at the time. 

The singer, 37, quit the singing competition in 2016 to focus on her own music career but did make a few guest appearances after stepping down from the panel. She also judged on another of Simon’s shows, The Greatest Dancer, on BBC One.

Prior to this, Cheryl was a judge from 2008-2010, mentoring two winners, Alexandra Burke and Joe McElderry.

Judging panel: The singer, 37, is thought to still be 'very much in the Cowell fold' as the TV mogul plans his show's return [pictured: Louis Walsh, Dannii Minogue and Cheryl in 2010]

Judging panel: The singer, 37, is thought to still be ‘very much in the Cowell fold’ as the TV mogul plans his show’s return [pictured: Louis Walsh, Dannii Minogue and Cheryl in 2010]

She was transferred over to 2011’s debut series of X Factor USA, but was famously replaced mid-way through shooting with Nicole Scherzinger.

Cheryl, who shares her three-year-old son Bear with former X Factor star and One Direction member Liam Payne, then returned to the British version for series 11 and 12, after healing her feud with Simon over the USA incident.

Series 12, Cheryl’s final judging series to date, aired in 2015 and Cheryl was joined by Simon, Nick Grimshaw, and Rita Ora on the panel.  

That season was considered somewhat of a disaster, with Olly Murs and late Love Island presenter Caroline Flack stepping in for usual host Dermot O’Leary.

Some time to wait! The X Factor will reportedly not return to screens until 2022 at the very earliest after halting this year when Covid hit, rendering it impossible to produce the show

Some time to wait! The X Factor will reportedly not return to screens until 2022 at the very earliest after halting this year when Covid hit, rendering it impossible to produce the show

Recovering: Simon, 61, is recovering after undergoing surgery after breaking his back in a terrifying electric bike accident back in August but was recently seen in London

Recovering: Simon, 61, is recovering after undergoing surgery after breaking his back in a terrifying electric bike accident back in August but was recently seen in London

An infamous slip-up during that year’s series saw Olly tell one contestant that she was eliminated before she actually was – live on air. 

In April 2016 Cheryl confirmed she had quit The X Factor in order to focus on her music career, telling MailOnline that her boss Simon supported her completely.

She said: ‘I have had such an amazing experience being a judge on The X Factor. I have learnt so much and enjoyed nurturing talent but I’ve missed making music and am excited to be recording again.

‘I want to thank everybody I have worked with along the way, especially Simon who I love to bits. I hope the show continues to produce stars and I wish them all the best.’