My phone has not stopped ringing this morning with the news that my mate Simon Cowell is hot-tipping Russell Brand’s fiancé, Katy Perry to become a judge on his new up-coming US talent show X Factor.

My inside spies hinted that the Hot ‘n’ Cold singer who previously stepped in as a judge on American Idol after former judge Paula Abdul exited the show, impressed Cowell that much that an offer could be going out to Perry very soon.

I’m told the sexy singer, who is set to wed funnyman Brand in October is secretly thrilled, and I hear the paycheck isn’t half bad either… If a deal is struck Katie could receive as much as $300,000 a show.

I can totally see Katie doing this job after she won the UK public’s approval as a judge on X Factor UK, and though there a many names currently in the frame, my money is on Katy landing this one!

Simon certainly knows how to pick em, but does that mean Cheryl Cole is out of the running? I wonder… !

Mariah Carey’s husband Nick Cannon has recently revealed that the world famous singer would very much like to be one of the new judges on American Idol.

The so-called Mr. Mariah Carey said: “You know what? She talks about it. She says, ‘I would love to do that.’ She is one of the greatest singers of our time; she would be great. I don’t know if she has enough time, though, but if they could work with her schedule, I know she would love to do ‘Idol’”

Cannon, who hosts America’s Got Talent alongside Brit judges Piers Morgan and Sharon Osbourne, might be able to pull some strings for Carey due to the fact that his boss is former influential American Idol judge Simon Cowell, who continues as executive producer of AGT.

To The Hollywood Reporter, Cannon said: “Simon Cowell was the anchor of the show. And when he stepped out, it’s like, now what? But as long as Ryan Seacrest and Randy Jackson stick around, I’m watching.”

Considering her reported mental instability, tremendous popularity, and extensive industry experience, I say Mariah is the perfect person to be the new Paula.

‘Nasty’ Nigel Lythgoe might be able to add yet another string to his director/presenter/producer/dancer bow – psychic!

He told newspapers months ago that if he had his eay he’d completely overhaul the American Idol judging panel if he returned to the show as Executive Producer, and it looks like it’s going to come true.

Rumours are flying that judge Kara Dioguardi has been axed and with Ellen DeGeneres and Simon officially off, there’s a pretty gaping gap on each side of Randy Jackson!

TMZ is reporting that Nigel is officially BACK and now we just have to wait and see who ends up in the hotseat.

Currently everyone from J-Lo to Steven Tyler is being bandied about, but who would you like to see on the AI judging panel?

My dream team would be: Madonna, Dolly Parton, Jay-Z and Elton John – you know, nothing too intimidating for the upcoming wannabes!

Piers Morgan has reportedly signed a £5.5 million deal with US cable television news channel CNN to replace renowned talkshow host Larry King, who will be retiring in a few months. Apparently executives at CNN are fans of Piers Morgan’s Life Stories on ITV. US broadcast television network NBC, home of America’s Got Talent on which Morgan is a judge, is rumored to have agreed to share him with CNN. It is not clear whether Morgan will continue as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent.

First Simon Fuller and Simon Cowell captivated America with American Idol and now Piers will be replacing one of the highest profile talk shows in the United States – the Brits really are taking over American telly! Congratulations Piers!

Simon Cowell has admitted that even his hard-as-nails exterior will be shaken when he makes his final Idol appearance.

TV’s Mr Nasty will become TV’s Mr Softy when he takes his panel seat for the last time – and I bet Ryan Seacrest will LOVE it if he sheds a tear. Come to think of it, so will I!

Simon told Oprah: “The final night will be quite emotional. I’ve had a great time” and added, “I love working over here [in the US] and never thought I would.”

He also admitted that the reason he was moving on was because he was bored, and that it wasn’t fair on the audience to stay on the show.

He said: “After a while, you start to go on automatic pilot. And there were too many times, Oprah, where I was sitting there bored, and I thought, ‘The end of the day, the audience doesn’t tune in to watch me being bored. They deserve more than that.’ But I can’t hide it when I’m bored. I just can’t fake it.” I wonder if that’s something Opes can sympathise with – after all she’s been doing The Oprah Winfrey Show since 1986 and is moving on next year too!

The American version of X-Factor will be up and running soon enough so it’s not like we’ll have time to forget about him, but it’s nice to know Simon’s not as tough as he makes out. I’ve got a hankie if you need one Si!

Dear ol’ Cat Deely answered the question on everybody’s lips on Saturday night, as she revealed she didn’t have a job (as yet) judging the X Factor when it starts here in America next year.

The stunning telly host arrived at an event in Hollywood to celebrate her good friend Matthew Williamson, who was being named ‘Designer Of The Year’, as part of BritWeek.

All sorts of rumors have been flying around since Simon Cowell announced he was quitting American Idol to launch X Factor in the US, with former Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Cole apparently being one of Si’s favorites.

But singer Sinitta let slip recently that Cowell was considering a number of big names, including Mariah Carey. She said: “It’s amazing that so many people want to do it… it’s huge. Everybody is up for it, Mariah… ok I’m not saying anymore!”

But Cat certainly didn’t rule out the possibility of being part of the new show, she said: “You never know, providing I’m not chatting to someone else.” Oo-er, what could she mean by that?

Well, I think Cat DOES have the ‘X Factor ‘ and would make a great judge, but when you think that she’s up against the likes of Mariah, Gaga and even Madonna’s name has been whispered in my ear a few times, you can see why she might have her doubts…

However, Tinseltown has been kind to Deeley so far, so you NEVER know!

Other guests included, Jewelry designer Zeta Graff, Lord Frederick Windsor and Lady Sophia Windsor, actress Jacqueline Bisset… Oh, and me…

BritWeek is an annual celebration of British people and business’ contribution to the Californian economy.

One of the latest Tinseltown-tales is that singers Leona Lewis, winner of Britain’s The X Factor, and Jennifer Hudson, American Idol finalist, will be hitting the recording studio together for the upcoming Sex and the City movie sequel.

Whether or not Hudson will reprise her role of Louise in addition to her vocal contribution has yet to be confirmed, but this news certainly can’t hurt chances.

Other female singers rumored to appear in the sexy sequel include: Vic-Bore-ia Beckham, Mariah Carey, Miley Cyrus, Bette Midler, and Liza Minnelli. Perhaps some of these divas will contribute to the soundtrack alongside Leona and J-Hud.

The idea of a Lewis-Hudson duet is literally music to my ears, especially when compared to Snoop Dogg’s recently planned collaboration with Susan Boyle, which is more like, I’m sorry to say, finger nails on a chalkboard to my ears.

SuBo with gold teeth and gold chains!?!? Well, she might not go that far, but a duet featuring Scottish singer Susan Boyle and American rapper Snoop Dogg is reportedly in the works.

On working with SuBo, Snoop said: “She’s a great artist. I’m looking forward to going into the studio with her. Why not? We’re going to get our minds together and figure out what we’re going to sing about. I’m down with that. There isn’t much I can’t do.”

Snoop also appears to be eyeing Simon Cowell’s job on American Idol. On replacing Simon, the Doggystyle rapper and father of three said: “I think I would be perfect. I understand the dynamics of music and see stars before they are made.”

Forgive me for being skeptical Snoop, but we’ll have to wait and see just how well you understand the dynamics of music, as a SuBo/SnoDo combo isn’t exactly the best duet idea I’ve ever heard.