Music mogul Simon Cowell wants to make a return to the X Factor UK as he feels it's been the "worst series ever".

Cowell is currently sitting on the panel of the American version of his hit TV show alongside Britney Spears, Demi Lovato and L.A. Reid.

The UK version - whose panel is headed up by Gary Barlow, along with Tulisa, Louis Walsh and Nicole Scherzinger - has faced dwindling ratings and a barrage of criticism for controversial acts including Rylan Clark and Christopher Maloney.

The show was thrown into further disarray last weekend, when fan favourite Ella Henderson received the least number of public votes and was sent home from the competition.

Cowell's friend Sinitta has explained to the Sunday People: “This has been the worst series ever and Simon wants to come back. He has so much affection for the UK show, he is the boss and he wants to be back on UK TV.

She added: “I think there have been moments when Simon has thought, ‘Oh My God, what is going on?’ He is a control freak. He has his ways and his methods to his madness. Only he will think something and only he will understand it and he is able to see what is missing. But it’s hard to steer a ship from the other side of the world."

Sinitta says Cowell is desperate to return after feeling frustrated so far away from his home country.

She added: "You can’t teach someone what to think or what to do. I can feel his frustration. He misses the banter from the British fans, he misses the set-up and the team. In my view it has been the worst show yet in terms of watchability. There has been some great talent, some great singers but there is something missing. Simon says X Factor is his first baby. He worries about the show and there is a lot for him to worry about at the moment. The wrong people are going. He finds it frustrating. He doesn’t want the whole thing to fall apart.”

A spokesman for Cowell last night confirmed: “He has not ruled out returning to the show as a possibility in the future.”

Earlier this week chart-topping boyband JLS called for Cowell to make a return to the show.

Marvin Humes said: "He has to return, definitely. He still does Britain's Got Talent. Obviously with the schedule of the US X Factor it's very difficult, but he has to come back."