Demi Lovato Reportedly Leaving The X Factor—but Is There a Show Left to Leave?

Fox reality series is poised for yet another judging shakeup ... if it even comes back for a fourth season

Looks like Simon Cowell is losing one of his angels: Demi Lovato is leaving The X Factor, according to People.

But is there even a show left to leave? While a source at People says Lovato is hoping to return to music full-time, a source close to the show told E! News exclusively that there might not even be a fourth season of the Fox reality series.

It's no secret that X Factor ratings have been down and despite judge/executive producer Cowell's instance that the series will return, Fox has made no such decision regarding The X Factor's fate and had no comment on Lovato's reported exit. "There haven't been any conversations about judges next year," a source close to the show told E!'s Marc Malkin. The source maintains everyone involved with the show is focused on the finalists, Alex & Sierra, Carlito Olivero and Jeff Gutt.

"We have to be more different next year than we were this year," Cowell said regarding the crowded reality competition arena during a recent conference call. "So, we're in the middle of a presentation to Fox to say this is what we think the show should look like, this is what we think the fans would like. And, yes, my role could change on that show. But, I can't say much more than that."

Lovato joined the show for season two alongside Cowell, Britney Spears and L.A. Reid. Spears and Reid departed following the second season, but Lovato stayed on board with Cowell and was joined by Kelly Rowland and Paulina Rubio.

News of Lovato's exit come on the heels of Cowell's instance that The X Factor will return for a fourth season despite falling ratings. Cowell has gone on record saying the show will return and he'd likely have a new role.

"We'll be coming back in the US next season, but my role on the show may change," Cowell told Mashable.

This isn't the only judging shakeup The X Factor has seen. Prior to even airing, the Fox series went through a panel shakeup when Cheryl Cole left as a judge and then-host Nicole Scherzinger was moved to the table. After season 1 of the series, Scherzinger and Paula Abdul left the series—as did host Steve Jones—and season 2 began with Lovato, Spears, Cowell and Reid, and hosts Khloé Kardashian and Mario Lopez. Kardashian left the show after the second season.

The season three finale of The X Factor airs on Thursday, Dec. 19 at 8 p.m. on Fox.