Gary Barlow 'not enjoying' the X Factor

By Jenna Gregory on Friday 2 December 2011

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Rex Features

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Take That judge, Gary Barlow, has revealed he is 'not particularly enjoying' his time on the X Factor panel.

SEE BEHIND THE SCENES PICTURES OF THE X FACTOR

The Take That singer - who took over from Simon Cowell as head judge on the ITV1 show earlier this year - admitted he has struggled to get his head around the intensity of the competition.

Blaming Twitter and gossip as the main reasons why he isn't enjoying the singing contest, Barlow revealed he feels he has lost control of the show - if he ever had it.

The 40-year-old singer told Esquire magazine, 'I’ve got to get my head around it, learn to enjoy it. It’s so intense. All those people out there watching every move you make and analysing it and talking to their friends about it and tweeting and gossiping.

'I think at this point the reason I'm not particularly enjoying it is I don't feel I'm in control of it. Maybe I'll never feel like that. It's a totally bloody new thing for me.'

Gary's comments have sparked rumours he will leave the X Factor at the end of the series.

Insiders are claiming that the show boss Simon Cowell is already making plans without him next year, with his chances of returning next year 'beyond slim'.

With viewing figures plummeting to a four-year low, and with more people watching BBC One rival Strictly Come Dancing, Cowell is reportedly keen for two of the current judges, either Gary, Kelly Rowland, Tulisa or Louis Walsh, to be replaced.

Despite Gary's chances of returning to the X Factor not looking promising, he recently told Esquire he has a desperate hunger for the fame.

He said, ‘Once you’ve tasted it, especially once you’ve tasted it a number of times, you never want to lose it.

'I recognise in me what I see in Elton and all those people. We’re chasing the buzz.'

SEE BACKSTAGE PICTURES OF THE X FACTOR

X FACTOR FASHION: 2011