London, Nov 5 (IANS): British reality show "The X Factor" boss Simon Cowell wants all the original judges back on the show to boost its ratings.

The singing reality show started in 2004 with Cowell, singer Sharon Osbourne and manager Louis Walsh on the panel. Later singers Dannii Minogue and Cheryl Cole also joined the group with following seasons.

"The first three series relied solely on genuine British talent and a chemistry between the judges that simply hasn't been there since Sharon left. By series three they had produced an international star with Leona Lewis and the show had real credibility," thesun.co.uk quoted a source as saying.

"Now it's just a circus freak show with the ringmaster trying to pull the strings on the other side of the Atlantic. If Simon can get the original judges and format back he will truly have pulled victory from the jaws of defeat," the source added.

The current lot of judges includes singers Gary Barlow, Tulisa Contostavlos, Nicole Scherzinger and Walsh.