Will.i.am Page 4

After a number of months of speculation as to her future, Black Eyed Peas’ leader Will.i.am has confirmed that Fergie has indeed quit the group in order to focus on her solo career.

Fergie – real name Stacy Ferguson – joined the Black Eyed Peas back in 2002 for their breakthrough album Elephunk, in time for their worldwide hit ‘Where Is The Love?’. However, in a new interview with UAE entertainment publication Ahlan! this week, the 42 year old rapper will.i.am confirmed that they had parted ways.

“Since the beginning of Black Eyed Peas, we've always had amazing vocalists that appeared on the mic with us. People like Macy Gray, Esthero, Debi Nova, Fergie. On Elephunk, there were several females that appeared on that album,” the singer, a judge on ITV’s ‘The Voice’, said.

Continue reading: Will.i.am Confirms Fergie Has Quit Black Eyed Peas

Will.i.am has advised Charli XCX to sing ''random words'' in the versus of her songs.

The 'Boom Clap' hitmaker has teamed up with the 41-year-old musician - who is known for being in the band Black Eyed Peas - on her new album, and the 24-year-old singer has admitted she has been told to take will.i.am's advice and utter sheer nonsense because no one will notice.

Speaking to Q Magazine about her partnership with the 'Scream and Shout' hitmaker, she said: ''I love him.

Continue reading: Will.i.am Told Charli XCX To Sing 'random Words' In Her Songs

Jennifer Hudson wants to work with all three of her fellow 'The Voice UK' judges on music.

The 'Dream Girls' star has learnt a lot from watching Will.i.am, Gavin Rossdale and Sir Tom Jones on the ITV programme and says she and the Black Eyed Peas star are going to record together once filming for the spinning-chair show is complete.

Speaking to The Huffington Post, she shared: ''I do plan on working with will for my next album.''

Continue reading: Jennifer Hudson Wants To Work With The Voice UK Judges On Music

Black Eyed Peas are working on a new musical project featuring ''awesome tech''.

Frontman Will.i.am announced the group - also comprised of by apl.de.ap and Taboo - have been working with 50 creative people on the project, which he is refusing to label as an album.

The 41-year-old musician can't wait to share the new music with their fans and he says they will ''enter'' 2017 in a ''fresh'' way by addressing the changes in the music industry over the last five years, including the rise of streaming and the closing of record shops.

Continue reading: Black Eyed Peas Have 'awesome Tech' Project In The Works

Sir Tom Jones is set to return to the coaching panel of ‘The Voice UK’ for its first series on ITV, having been unceremoniously dumped by the BBC just over a year ago.

The 76 year old Welsh crooning legend will be one of the four coaches in the upcoming first series of the talent show at its new home on ITV, to which it’s moved after five seasons on the BBC where it enjoyed mixed fortunes.

“I’m looking forward to returning to my big red chair on ‘The Voice UK’,” Jones said in a statement. “I had some great times on the show and I can’t wait again to discover and help some brand new talent. And of course be back with my pal Will.i.am.”

Continue reading: Sir Tom Jones Returning To 'The Voice UK'

While Will.i.am seems desperate never to leave singing reality show, The Voice UK, the format can’t seem to keep anyone else whether on BBC or its new home ITV and one series wonder Boy George is the latest coach to call it quits.

Boy George is the latest coach to quit The Voice UK

The 55-year-old took to Twitter to reveal he would not be following the show across the television spectrum but wished Wiill.i.am luck on his continuing venture.

Continue reading: Boy George Will Not Be Returning To The Voice UK

‘The Voice’ coach Will.i.am has confirmed he’ll be staying on with the show when it moves to ITV next year. The Black Eyed Peas main man has been with the show since its first series in 2012 and has seen a revolving door of fellow music stars join him on the panel.

Will.i.am will be retuning to ‘The Voice’.

Will will also be a coach on spin-ff show ‘The Voice Kids’, which is aimed at 7 to 14 year olds. In a statement he said: “I’m delighted to be continuing ‘The Voice UK’ on ITV and being a voice of direction and guidance for the usual suspects, and I’m thrilled to add ‘The Voice Kids’ to the mix.”

Continue reading: Will.i.am Confirms He'll Be On 'The Voice' When It Moves To ITV

Black Eyed Peas frontman Will.i.am has given his opinion on friend Cheryl’s romance with One Direction’s Liam Payne. Will and Cheryl have been friends for years and were even once rumoured to be dating, but ‘The Voice’ judge says he just wants to see her ‘with someone constant’.

Will.i.am has commented on Cheryl’s romance with Liam Payne.

Speaking to the Daily Star at Capital FM's Summertime Ball on Saturday (June 11) Will said: "Cheryl is the best, I love her a lot. I would like to see her happy, steady, with someone constant. Cheryl's the kind of person that will always be happy if she has someone forever.”

Continue reading: Will.i.am Speaks On Cheryl And Liam Payne's Romance

Former ‘The Voice’ judges Kylie Minogue and Tom Jones could be set to return to the show, when it moves to ITV for it’s sixth season. According to The Mirror, the two former judges are set to join a revamped line-up which is also rumoured to include Jennifer Hudson and Will.i.am.

Kylie Minogue is rumoured to be making a return to ‘The Voice’.

A source told the newspaper that Black Eyed Peas star Will is the only current coach ITV are hoping to hang on to. “They’ve pushed the boat out to get Will to stay and are very much hoping he’ll say yes,” the source said. "He loves the show and he’s actually a bigger star here than he is in the US.”

Continue reading: Are Kylie Minogue And Tom Jones Set To Return To 'The Voice'?

‘The Voice’ finalist Lydia Lucy has joined her mentor Will.i.am on stage with his group Black Eyed Peas at the Royal Albert Hall. Lucy filled in for singer Fergie at the show, but reports now say she could be about to join the group full time.

Continue reading: 'The Voice' Finalist Lydia Lucy Joins Will.i.am's Black Eyed Peas

Kevin Simm has been crowned this year’s winner of BBC talent show ‘The Voice’, beating rival Jolan to take the crown. The 35-year-old is a talent show veteran, having previously appeared on 2001 BBC show ‘Popstars’, where he formed group Liberty X with Michelle Heaton, Tony Lundon, Jessica Taylor and Kelli Young.

Kevin Simm has won ‘The Voice’ 2016.

After his victory was announced, the father of two said: "I can't believe it. I'm so grateful to everyone who has voted for me. I couldn't have dreamed this would happen, especially at my ripe old age.” In the early 2000s Simm had enjoyed 10 consecutive top 20 singles with Liberty X. But after the group split in 2007 he had been reduced to £100 a night gigs to provide for his family.

Continue reading: Former Liberty X Singer Kevin Simm Wins 'The Voice' 2016

Will.i.am has confirmed that The Black Eyed Peas will be reuniting for a new album. The group, which consists of Will, apl.de.ap, Taboo, and singer Fergie, released their last album in 2010, before announcing their hiatus during a concert at Alton Towers in 2011.

Will.i.am has confirmed that The Black Eyed Peas are reuniting.

Speaking to Capital FM Will said: “There will be a Black Eyed Peas reunion. It breaks my heart that I even have to say that because really we should just always have been doing Black Eyed Peas actually.”

Continue reading: Will.i.Am Confirms Black Eyed Peas Will Reunite For New Album

Cheryl Fernandez-Versini might be done with ‘The X Factor’, but her days as a talent show judge may not be over. Odds that Cheryl will now jump ship to rival show ‘The Voice’ have gone from 5-1 to 8-11 since yesterday, despite the singer saying she now wants to concentrate on her music career.

Is Cheryl Fernandez-Versini about to move to ‘The Voice’?

A spokesperson for Ladbrokes told The Daily Star: "Cheryl says she wants to concentrate on the music but plenty of punters expect her to jump ship to The Voice instead.” If Cheryl does move to ‘The Voice’ she could be sitting next to longtime friend Will.i.am.

Continue reading: Will Cheryl Fernandez-Versini Jump To 'The Voice' After Quitting 'X Factor'

‘The Voice’ judge Will.i.am has hit out at rival talent show ‘The X-Factor’, by criticising the way it treats its contestants. Speaking to the Daily Star, the Black Eye Peas singer said no amount of money could ever persuade him to defect to the rival talent show.

Will.I.Am has hit out at rival talent show ‘The Voice’.

“I fell in love with ‘The Voice’ because of what it stands for. I couldn’t go on 'X-Factor' because they don’t have the same principles. It’s the total opposite,” he said. “On ‘The Voice’ I’m not judging you with my opinion, I’m judging you with my ears."

Continue reading: 'The Voice' Judge Will.I.Am Blasts Talent Show Rival 'The X-Factor'

Rita Ora’s cleavage has triggered a deluge of complaints to the BBC after the pop star appeared on ‘The One Show’.

The 24 year old singer was a guest on the primetime evening programme on Monday (5th January) wearing a plunging white suit that, with nothing underneath, veered a little too much to the risqué side for some people’s tastes. The BBC confirmed that it received 424 complaints from the viewing public, most claiming that Rita’s revealing outfit was not appropriate for family tea-time viewing.

Rita Ora pictured with fellow 'The Voice' judge Will.i.am, both of whom appeared on Monday's 'The One Show'

Continue reading: Rita Ora's Wardrobe Choice Sparks Complaints

Will.i.am is dominating the music charts once again.

The US music star has just scored his tenth No.1 U.K. single with the newly released 'It's My Birthday,' which features vocals from 17 year-old US singer Cody Wise.

Just over ten years ago in 2003, Will.i.am earned his first chart topper in the U.K. with the Black Eyed Pea's hit track 'Where Is The Love.'

Continue reading: Will.i.am Earns Tenth U.K. No.1 Single With 'It's My Birthday'

Signing up Kylie Minogue for The Voice was the BBC's way of proving that this singing contest - with its spinning chairs and blind auditions - could pack as much of a punch as The X-Factor, despite losing Danny O'Donoghue and Jessie J following its second season. The Australian was certainly a marquee signing, and alongside Tom Jones and Will.i.am (and the fella from Kaiser Chiefs), the BBC show had a judging line-up that could rival that of its ITV rival.

Jermaine Jackman Won 'The Voice'

Now, The Voice executives are on the hunt for another big name  to fill the gap left by Minogue, who has quit the show after just one season to focus on her live touring. 

Continue reading: Kylie Minogue Quits 'The Voice', Leaving BBC In A Pickle

At Friday night’s MusiCares gala, Carole King was most definitely the star of the night – and the year, as she was honored with MusiCares’ Person of the Year award. More than 2000 admirers filled the Los Angeles Convention Center to pay tribute to King. Past MusiCares honorees Bonnie Raitt, Gloria Estefan and David Crosby were also in attendance along with the likes of Yoko Ono, Ciara, Diane Warren, Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson and Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, USA Today reports.

King joins the likes of Bonnie Raitt and David Crossby in winning the honor.

The ceremony kicked off with host Jimmy Kimmel paying tribute to King’s five-decade career and the 1971 album that started it all. “That cat from the Tapestry album must be dead, right?” Kimmel quipped in his opening speech. He was followed by renditions of King’s most popular songs, performed by some of the biggest names in music today.

Continue reading: Carole King Named MusiCares Person Of The Year, Honored By Fellow Musicians

The Voice is back, and with an almost entirely new line-up too, as the BBC's returning singing contest hopes to come back with a bang and establish itself as a favourite with the British viewing public. Having suffered in the ratings in the last season, BBC bosses are hoping that the shake-up on the show will reinvigorate it's formula and turn the show into the country's top-rated reality contest.

The new judging panel [L - R]: Will.i.am, Rick Wilson, Kylie Minogue and Sir Tom Jones

Kylie Minogue and Ricky Wilson join the judge's panel, taking up the spots vacated by the departing Jessie J and Danny O'Donoghue, and previous hosts Holly Willoughby and Reggie Yates have been replaced too, with Emma Willis and former JLS star Marvin Humes fronting the show this time around. The question is, will this shake up be enough to see the show surpass The X Factor as the nation's favourite singing contest? And can the show actually produce any stars this time?

Continue reading: 'The Voice' Ready For A New Era, With The New Season Kicking Off Tonight

This week marks a special event in music – Britney Spears, queen of pop, has unveiled the cover art for her seventh studio album, Britney Jean. It seems that Britney meant for this one to be more personal than any of her previous work, and so the cover is fairly simple – a black and white picture of Brit herself, with the title spelled in blue and pink neon – perhaps a reference to her Vegas connection and upcoming residency?

A personal letter from me 2 u http://t.co/QeImnjcxuL & the cover 4 my most personal album ever #BritneyJeanAlbumCover pic.twitter.com/qAKDWpXBLA

— Britney Spears (@britneyspears) October 25, 2013

Continue reading: Black, White And Neon Britney Jean Cover Art Meant To Show Off Another Side Of The Pop Princess

Ricky Wilson, the frontman of The Kaiser Chiefs, has been chosen to fill the remaining seat on The Voice judging panel for the next season of the BBC talent contest. Wilson has been brought in to replace the departing Danny O'Donoghue of The Script, as he joins one of four new faces joining the show.

Ricky is the final new face to be added to the show.

As the frontman of the three-time BRIT Award winners, Wilson garnered a reputation as one of the most energetic frontmen in popular music and recorded such hits as 'I Predict A Riot,' 'Oh My God' and 'Ruby.' He will join fellow newcomer Kylie Minogue, who has been chosen to replace Jessie J, as well as show stalwarts Sir Tom Jones and Will.i.am. But it isn't just Wilson and Minogue who will be joining the show for the first time, as The Voice will introduce two new hosts following the departure of Holly Willoughby and Reggie Yates. JLS singer Marvin Humes and Big Brother presenter Emma Willis have since been hired to present the show when it returns next year.

Continue reading: Kaiser Chiefs Frontman Ricky Wilson Completes 'The Voice' Judging Panel

Holly Willoughby and Reggie Yates have become the latest names to jump ship from the BBC talent show, The Voice. The presenters join the show's judges Jessie J and Danny O'Donoghue who also revealed they wouldn't be signing up for a third series, despite the second season outperforming the first in ratings for its final episode.

Presenter Holly Willoughby Won't Be Returning To The Voice.

The remaining judges Will.i.am and Tom Jones were also reported to have been considering an exit and underwent extensive talks with the show's bosses to negotiate a contract for a third stint. Kylie Minogue and Big Brother presenter Emma Willis have both signed up to be the new female faces on the show, in the wake of Willoughby and Jessie J's departure.

Continue reading: Anyone In Here? 'The Voice' Undergoes Overhaul After Judges' & Presenters' Exodus

The top eight singers on The Voice took their performances to another level on Monday evening (May 27, 2013), with fire, feather and cowboy boots playing prominent roles in a number of blinged up turns. Blake Shelton had kicked off the show with a rendition of his latest hit 'Round Here,' though things soon got serious, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

On Team Adam Levine, it was Judith Hill who seriously impressed with a reinterpreated rendition of Will.i.am and Justin Bieber's #ThatPower. "That hair is badass - I guarantee you, Adam has been on the phone with Cee Lo [Green] this week!" said Shelton of Judith's huge mohawk. Sarah Simmons struggled a little with Gotye's 'Somebody That I Used To Know' while Amber Carrington didn't quite manage to convey the majesty of Adele's Oscar winning track 'Skyfall.'

On Team Blake, Holly Tucker chose to perform 'Done' by the Band Perry and ultimately succeeded. "There were big notes in this song, and you hit them and took them up to another level," said Usher. Over on Team Shakira, Sasha Allen was assigned 'Without You' by David Guetta and Usher, "I started comparing myself to Sasha as a singer, and that's not good [for me]," said Shelton. "I think you bought Shakira another week, for sure."

Continue reading: Warfare On 'The Voice' At Top 8 Pull Out All The Stops

Justin Bieber, booed at the relatively mainstream Billboard Music Awards? Surely not? Only, yes, it's true. It was sweet, sweet, sound of success for the Justin-bashers who have campaigned tirelessly to educate on the 19-year-old's arrogance and petulance, though spare a thought for the true, paying fans of Bieber who have read nothing but negative headlines in recent months.

As the booing rang around the MGM Grand, a clearly stunned Bieber offered a half-defence. "I'm 19 years old. I think I'm doing a pretty good job. And basically, from my heart, I really just want to say it should really be about the music. It should be about the craft, the craft that I'm making,"

"This is not a gimmick," he announced. "I'm an artist and I should be taken seriously and all this other bull should not be spoken of. I want to thank my manager, Scooter Braun. I want to thank my family at home. I want to thank my mother, my father. I want to thank Jesus Christ." Though it was perhaps presumptuous for Bieber to label himself an artist, though Kid Rock appeared to sum up the tone of the evening while presenting the award for Top Rap Song, telling the gathered audience, "Let's give it up for people lip-synching under pre-recorded music."

Continue reading: Is The Booing Of Justin Bieber More Important Than We Think?

Taylor Swift at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards

The 2013 Billboard Music Awards looked to be one of the most celeb-filled events of the year with some of the music industry's biggest stars making their glamorous arrivals. 

'22' singer Taylor Swift clutched eight accolades to her chest as she posed on the red carpet having won Top Billboard 200 Album and Top Country Album for 'Red', Top Country Song with 'We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together', Top Artist, Top Female Artist, Top Billboard 200 Artist, Top Digital Songs Artist and Top Country Artist. Carly Rae Jepsen was another young female star to land a prize winning Top Digital Song and Top Pop Song for her massive 2012 hit 'Call Me Maybe'. Queen of Pop Madonna scooped up three well deserved awards including Top Dance Album for 'MDNA', Top Dance Artist and Top Touring Artist after her controversial 'MDNA' tour which landed her amidst a handful of lawsuits. There was no sign of letting up on the controversial front either as she donned hotpants, suspenders and fishnets at the Billboard event. Top Streaming Artist, Top Rap Artist and Top Rap Album with 'Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded' went to Nicki Minaj while Top EDM Artist was none other than David Guetta who brought his wife Cathy Guetta along with him to the awards show.

Continue reading: Star Frenzy At The 2013 Billboard Music Awards With Arrivals From The Likes Of Taylor Swift To Jennifer Lopez [Photos]

All Your Favorite Characters Are Back In 'Rio 2'

The sequel to 2011's 'Rio' is getting closer, with the return of Ice Age director Carlos Saldanha and a new trailer looks like the new movie has just as much feathery fun to offer as the original. It once again follows Blue and Jewel, the two macaws living a pretty idyllic lifestyle with their caring owners Linds and Tulio, who seek to keep them safe from smugglers.

The pair frequently throw bird parties for their pals, Pedro, Nico, Toco the Toucon and Luiz, but when the free spirited Jewel wishes to venture into the wilderness of the Amazon rainforest to raise the couple's children amongst normal birds, their steady lives begin to unravel. Blu is used to being domesticated and he struggles to adapt to his new surroundings  - something not helped by the return of the evil Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Nigel whose sole aim in life is to make Blu's life anything but easy. 

Watch the Rio 2 teaser trailer here!

Continue reading: 'Rio 2' Sees Blu Revisit Battle With Nigel The Evil Cockatoo [Trailer And Pictures]

Will.i.am has admitted that he breached copyright on the track Let’s Go, then super defensively went on a long explanation as to why he did so.

Glamour reports that the producer was on Kiss FM and responded to the reports that his track, which features Chris Brown, used parts of Arty & Zo’s track Rebound. "So this song by Chris Brown 'Let's Go'. Arty is a dope producer so I wrote this song to rebound this last year,” Will.I.Am said, with the air of a high school kid who knew he’d done something wrong but couldn’t bring himself to admit it properly. "I got in touch with Arty and showed it to him, did a different version to it 'cause I asked him [to] make it newer 'cause I don't just wanna take your song and rap over it. But we did that, we collaborated.”

Continuing, he added "But in a year's time, time's gone by [and] we preferred writing over and using the [original] rebound. Something happened and the clearance… hopefully we resolved the issue. I'm a fan of Arty; I think he's great and the world needs to know about how talented those guys are. It's sad that it's turned into a fiasco but hopefully it's resolved because I'm a fan of those guys to the point where I wrote to their instrumental." Sure, that’s it Will, keep on brown-nosing.

Continue reading: Will.I.Am Admits He Stole A Song For Chris Brown Hit

This may be hard to believe, but Will.i.am's latest track isn't completely his own! The Black Eyed Peas man admitted that he is collaborating with Chris Brown on the track, 'Let Go,' but it turns out the backing track he came up with breaches copyright laws, but don't worry though because he has claimed that he is "fixing it."

Will.i.am plans on having his legal troubles sorted out soon.

Whilst speaking to KISS FM, Mr Am explained that he and his creative team are trying to “fix” the situation after admitting that the track with Breezy, that appears on his new album #willpower, samples parts of the song 'Rebound' by Arty and Mat Zo, a song he didn't have clearance to use. The Voice judge said: “I got in touch with Arty and showed it to him, did a different version to it 'cause I asked him to make it newer 'cause I don't just wanna take your song and rap over it. But we did that, we collaborated."

Continue reading: Will.I.Am Admits To Copyright Infringement On Chris Brown Featuring Track

The Voice didn’t exactly have the huge success in the UK that its format has been enjoying in the USA, where it’s emerged as a considerable rival to both American Idol and The X Factor in the reality singing stakes. We can’t even remember the name of last year’s winner, and with good reason, given that their winning single didn’t even make the UK top 40 singles charts. Meanwhile, the proposed finalists live tour – a staple for the likes of the X Factor after their series has finished – never materialised after a slow take-up in tickets meant they had to cancel all the dates. Embarrassing.

However, rather than retreating, the BBC has had a tweak of the format and announced that the show will be returning for a second series. The show’s highest ratings came during the ‘blind’ auditions, with judges picking singers for their teams based only on hearing them. To maintain interest in the live shows, the BBC have announced that judges (called coaches, remember) will be allowed to ‘steal’ a losing member of others’ teams if they think they still see something in them. Additionally, each coach is going to have 12 contestants in their team. Two more than last year. All four of last year's coaches, Will.i.am, Jessie J, Tom Jones and Danny O'Donoghue will return.

So will it make a difference? We’re not too convinced, but executive Producer Moira Ross is. According to The Independent she said: “We can’t wait for The Voice UK to return to Saturday nights. With our four global superstars back on board, an unrivalled standard of vocal talent and the added excitement of the “Steals” and “Knockouts”, it’s set to be an extraordinary series.”

The next season of The Voice will see all of the players from the last - thats Tom Jones, Jessie J, Will.i.am and Danny O'Donoghue from the Script - return to their posts on the show for another run, a new trailer by the BBC reveals.

In the trailer, which aired on the BBC earlier today, all four of the judges appear together in a sneak peak of things to come in the new year. The trailer, imaginatively called 'Love 2013,' also treats fans of Doctor Who and Miranda by showing sneak peaks at those shows too, promising a rather compulsive viewing period for license payers next year.

The Voice is expected to return to screens in the spring, with the show's producers hoping it can reach the standard set by fellow BBC compatriot Strictly Come Dancing, rather than it's musical talent show rival The X Factor, which suffered a massive ratings drop during its last season, whilst Strictly's viewer figures went up.

Continue reading: Jessie J, Will.i.iam And Co. To Return To The Voice Next Season

The four judges from The Voice will be returning for the second series, which means fans of the show will once again be treated to Will.i.am saying "dope" a lot, Danny O'Donoghue talking drivel, Jessie J telling people she knows what it's like to be a female in the record business and Tom Jones generally looking bemused.

The BBC were probably most keen to sign Jessie J on for the second series, and the 'Do It Like a Dude' singer initially said she wouldn't be returning to the show. There were also rumours that Sir Tom might quit the show, while O'Donoghue is presumably just happy to be there. Audience figures for the first series began strongly, beating ITV's behemoth X Factor before dropping off monumentally. Leanne Mitchell won the first series. That's Leanne Mitchell. Anyone?

Anyway, they're all set to do it again, with O'Donoghue saying he has high hopes for the spring return. "The level of singers auditioning has gone through the roof", he told the BBC. The programme's format is likely to change slightly to keep viewers more interested in the latter stages of the competition. The blind auditions are a unique aspect of the show, though after that, it essentially follows the same tried and tested format of X Factor and Pop Idol. Speaking at the Edinburgh TV Festival in August, BBC controller of entertainment Mark Lindsey hinted at more use of the "spinning chair" segment. 

Continue reading: No Surprises: The Voice Judges Confirmed For Series Two

Cheryl Cole could be heading back to the UK X Factor permanently, and in further surprising rumours she could be taking her good friend Will.i.am with her. The rumours come in spite of the fact that Cole and show boss Simon Cowell have a rather frosty relationship these days, whilst Will.I.am is currently contracted as a voice coach on rival BBC show The Voice.

Despite those slight obstacles, Cowell is apparently keen on the idea, given that ITV are getting alarming slumps in ratings for the new series of the show. According to The Daily Mirror, the show has lost three million viewers since last year, and the mogul is already thinking ahead for solutions in how to arrest the slide for next season. The pair would cost at least $3 million, but according to an insider, "We need to do something dramatic and this would be a coup. It would give us the best judging line-up in X Factor history."

Cole has returned this season already, albeit just in a mentor role, but she's still remembered fondly for her judge's run in the UK. Those on the way out may well be Gary Barlow and Nichole Scherzinger should such a move happen. The belief is that Will.I.Am - good friends with Cowell still - would be able to convince Cole. "Will would be the best person on the planet to persuade Cheryl that one last hurrah could be fun" the insider said. "Though we realise it would be expensive."