With things being given a shake-up on The X Factor, Simon Cowell’s looking for a new face to replace Mel B on the judging panel before the ITV singing competition returns later this year. And he’s looking to a rival talent show for his new judge…
According to The Sun, a source has told them that the music mogul and head judge on The X Factor is hoping to poach Rita Ora from The Voice.
The newspaper also reports that Cowell has clashed with bosses at ITV over his plans to replace Mel on the judging panel.
"It's a real battle of wills," the source told The Sun. "ITV sees The X Factor as vastly superior to The Voice. They don't want a judge who they see as a cast-off. As far as they are concerned, Rita's now out of the picture."
However, the source added that Simon is more determined than ever to get Rita to sign up for the new series. It was reported last year that she had turned down the chance to join the show, after appearing as a guest judge back in 2012.
Last week, Simon revealed that he would like to get Rita Ora on the show after being a hit with viewers on the most recent series of The Voice which ended earlier this month.
"I saw Rita on The Voice and I thought she was very good,” said Simon. “When it comes to asking her over, you know, it's fair game."
Now the bookies have made her the favourite to replace Mel, with ex-judge Tulisa Contostavlos and One Direction singer Louis Tomlinson on evens to join the new series.
