Britney Spears to be axed from `The X Factor`?

London: Singer Britney Spears might be fired from "The X Factor" because she`s too expensive.

The 30-year-old, who currently sits on the judging panel alongside Simon Cowell, Demi Lovato and LA Reid, is reportedly under threat because producers are eager to dramatically reduce the show`s budget next season. "Producers were hoping to pull in between 15-20 million viewers but the show hasn`t reached those expectations and in a recent episode that clashed with the World Series only 5.7 million watched," showbizspy.com quoted a source as saying. "Those numbers add up to cost cutting and Britney will be expendable. So, considering Fox has already renewed The X Factor for a third season, producers will be looking to spend less on the production of the show, including the judges` salaries. "Britney, who was signed on a one-year deal, is the first person who will be expected to have her salary chopped. She is on a $15 million contract, which is absurd given that there`s been no huge surge in the ratings," the source added. IANS