Cheryl Cole And Will.I.Am 'Wanted For The X Factor'

Simon Cowell and the executives behind the UK version of Cheryl Cole back to the show - using Will.I.Amas bait.

The Mirror newspaper claims that SiCo wants to poach Will.I.Am from rival BBC show The Voice - hoping that the Black Eyed Peas star will then convince Chezza to forgive him for the way she was sacked from The X Factor USA.

A show insider told the paper: "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."

It is estimated that such a move would cost the show around £2m, but the producers seem to think the pair could be worth it.

The source continued: "One of the problems this year has been the judges so that's what we need to address.

"Will would be the best person on the planet to persuade Cheryl that one last hurrah could be fun. Though we realise it would be expensive."

And Chezza herself has hinted that she could end up working for SiCo again.

She says in her new book, Cheryl: My Story, that she would "never say never".

"We're 'frenemies'," she explained. "I've spoken to him many times since. If you are asking if there were interesting conversations – absolutely."

We told you this morning how Gary Barlow has reportedly threatened to walk off the show if there's any more funny business.