You can really tell we’re approaching summer because all the X Factor rumours are starting to gain momentum.
Last week we reported that Mariah Carey was being lined up to replace Nicole Scherzinger on the judging panel, while she ‘greened-up’ for the big screen version of Wicked.
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Then the story changed and it turned out that Nicole had actually agreed to return to X Factor in the summer, though was yet to sign on the dotted line.
Well, now the latest whisper doing the rounds is that a certain chart-topping One Direction star has been enlisted to help Simon Cowell choose a star of the future.
Yes, following his chart-topping single and album, Harry Styles is being sought after by ITV to join the show supremo at this year’s X Factor Judges’ Houses.
“Everyone is in agreement that Harry would be a ratings winner,” a source told the Daily Star.
“His chart positions clearly show he is set to become the biggest solo star from One Direction.
“Not only does he seem to be a clear fans’ favourite he’s also being hailed by music critics as well.
“Nothing has been signed yet but Cowell and Co want to make it happen if schedules allow.”
Of course, Haz, who found fame on the X Factor in 2010, isn’t the first of the boys to lend a hand at discovering talent.
Fellow band mate Louis Tomlinson has previously helped in choosing talented hopefuls for the live shows.
But if the other fellas are miffed that they haven’t been asked to be mentors, they’ll no doubt be happy to hear that they are being lined up to appear on the show to perform their solo efforts.
This will come as a bit of a surprise no doubt, as Simon reportedly wasn’t entirely happy about the boys having launched solo careers away from Simon’s record label.
But clearly with the boys’ continuing worldwide popularity, Si probably realises he’d be a fool to ban them from the show and has offered them an olive branch.
“Louis was the only one to perform on X Factor last year but all the boys could potentially sing this year,” the source has revealed.
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“Simon was hurt the others signed to rival labels but at the end of the day he’s a businessman and knows it would be good to have them appear.”
But don’t get too excited about anything just yet, as an X Factor spokesperson has played down the rumours, saying: “It is far too early to be speculating over live shows or Judges’ Houses when we haven’t even begun the judges’ auditions as yet.”