Simon Cowell is going to be shot on TV by one of his famous co-stars who’s harbouring a deadly grudge.

No need to alert the police, it’s all a stunt for Ant and Dec’s new series of Saturday Night Takeaway, with Louis Walsh and Si’s former girlfriend Sinitta among the famous faces who could be the killer.

Simon Cowell
Simon will do his best impression of JR Ewing (Syco/Thames/Corbis/Dymond)

Good sport Simon apparently signed on straight away when Ant and Dec came to him with the idea, which echoes Dallas’s  Who Shot JR plot, according to The Sun.

The stars who could be wielding the gun when the show returns next month also include Sharon Osbourne and X Factor co-hosts Caroline Flack and Olly Murs.

Those with beef from Britain’s Got Talent are David Walliams, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon, former judge Piers Morgan, spin-off host Stephen Mulhern, and previous winners Diversity and even dog Pudsey.

Britain's Got Talent judges Alesha Dixon, David Walliams, Simon Cowell and Amanda Holden
His fellow Britain’s Got Talent judges are all suspects – and so are some of the show’s winners (Ian West/PA)

Noticeably missing is Simon’s close friend Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, who was in Barbados celebrating Kimberley Walsh’s wedding during filming.

But there should be enough mystery and intrigue with those egos in one room to give us plenty of good suspects for who guns Simon down during his birthday party.

Simon might have a reason to hold a grudge against Ant and Dec, however, if the rumours that they might not be coming back to host BGT are true.

Ant and Dec
The future of the NTA-winning duo is up in the air (Ian West/PA)

The presenting duo’s 10-year contract with ITV comes to an end later this year. It was reportedly worth £5 million each when signed in 2006.

They told the Mirror, “We’re not sure, because it’s the last year we’re contracted for. We’ll have to see. It’s been 10 great years. Well, nine great years – we’re hoping the 10th will be just as good as the rest!”

“There’s no reason why we should leave, but let’s do this series first and make it a good’un.”

ITV responded, telling the paper: “We have a fantastic, long-standing relationship with Ant and Dec and we are looking forward to that continuing well into the future.”