Simon Cowell's publicist, Max Clifford, has said that the 'X Factor' boss "definitely wanted" Dannii Minogue to return as a judge next season.
Minogue will not be part of the judging panel next season and has blamed scheduling conflicts, saying that the 'X Factor' audition dates clash with her live shows of 'Australia's Got Talent'.
However, reports have claimed that Cowell wanted to change the judging panel.
Clifford told ITV1's 'This Morning': "He [Cowell] definitely wanted to keep her in because she was very popular and has worked very well.
"But in the last few months, because of the American 'X Factor', this 'X Factor' has had an awful lot of juggling going on and it's a question of getting the best possible combination.
"A lot of critics are saying that the show won't be as popular and it won't work but they also said that when Sharon Osbourne went and Cheryl [Cole] came in. They said that was a ridiculous choice."
Clifford said of fans not being happy about Minogue's departure: "I do think that Simon took that on board.
"But I think it was a question of trying to get the combination where he could get all of the people at the same time."
He said of Minogue's decision to leave: "I think it was more of a question of going backwards and forwards to Australia doing 25 hours all the time when you've got a baby. So I do think that would've had a big impact on her."
