Start of 'X Factor' U.K. Auditions Canceled After Death of Simon Cowell's Mother

The auditions were set to begin in Manchester on Monday.

Monday's planned start of auditions for the new season of The X Factor U.K. on ITV has been canceled after the death of Simon Cowell's mother.

Julie Cowell died on Sunday. She was 89.

Auditions for the 12th season of the singing competition on ITV were scheduled to start in Manchester on Monday. "Auditions have been canceled for today due to the sad news," a spokesman for the show said.

Decisions for coming days weren't immediately made.

The judges for the U.K. show are Cowell, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, Rita Ora and Nick Grimshaw.

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