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Los Angeles - Simon Cowell is reportedly in talks to return to American Idol.
The music mogul - who left his judging role for The X Factor USA in 2010, which was cancelled this year after just three seasons - has been offered $15m to appear alongside his former colleagues, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson, on the panel of the upcoming final season of the FOX series, in a desperate attempt to boost ratings.
A source told the National Enquirer: "In the past, the producers had always pooh-poohed the idea of asking them back. But after last season's ratings debacle, execs felt they had to do something drastic. So they're going with the tried-and-true threesome in hopes that the show can go out with a bang."
All three original judges worked on the show for eight seasons during the height of its popularity.
A number of celebrities have appeared on the panel in recent years, including Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, Stephen Tyler and Harry Connick Jr.
However, Simon - who welcomed his first child, son Eric, into the world in February - is currently busy with his own shows Britain's Got Talent and The X Factor in the UK, as well as juggling his new life as a father.
