FOX Boss Open To Seeing Britney Spears Return As A Judge On The X Factor Season 3

FOX boss Kevin Reilly said he is open to seeing Britney Spears return to “The X Factor” for Season 3.

Reports emerged over the holidays that Britney would not return to the show, which suffered a ratings decline during its second season, but the FOX Chairman of Entertainment, suggested on Tuesday he was pleased with her performance as a judge.

“I actually thought it went very, very well. I mean, it was sort of fraught with unknowns. And I think Britney did a really good job,” Reilly told reporters at the FOX portion of the Television Critics Association Winter Session 2013 in Pasadena, Calif.

“People remain fascinated with her and always will be,” he continued. “She’s just an interesting figure who’s lived a unique life and I thought she brought some of that and people got to know her a little bit. Maybe some people were waiting for… more drastic displays of some nature that never came, so for those expecting that, it didn’t happen, but I think pound for pound… ‘The X Factor’ was excellent this year.”

Reilly said he hasn’t been part of discussions with “X Factor” Executive Producer Simon Cowell regarding the judges’ bench in Season 3 just yet.

“For next year, I don’t know. Simon’s been on vacation. He’s was exhausted. He hasn’t even talked about any of this going forward,” he said.

When asked if he would be open to having her back though, Reilly replied, “yeah.”

“The X Factor” will return next fall on FOX.

— Jolie Lash