LONDON, UK (X17online) - Simon Cowell will return to Britain’s Got Talent.

In the most recent season of ITV’s reality competition, Cowell judged the show's live portion only, as he focused primarily on the launch of X Factor in the U.S. This time around, however, he’ll be back in full force.

“I miss Britain and I miss the British public and I miss judging them. I want to find the next generation of talent in 2012,” he said. “By coming back in 2012, it's the year of the Olympics, it's a big year for Britain, we are going to be in the world's spotlight and I want this show to be back in the world spotlight.”

The notoriously snarky judge has also announced that he’s adding £250,000 of his own money to the show’s £250,000 prize for a grand winning total of £500,000.

Live auditions for the next season of Britain’s Got Talent will begin on Jan. 22.