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.

Top British fashion designer Julia Clancey hit the town in Los Angeles earlier this week for a fashion soiree thrown by well known boutique – Church.

The trendy’s including former American Idol judge Paula Abdul and troubled wild-woman Lindsey Lohan turned out in their droves to peep at the highly conceptual store on Santa Monica Boulevard that stocks Miss Clancey’s incredibly stunning gowns.

Lohan was so in awe of Julia’s creations often worn by Hollywood’s A-list that she forked out $2,400 on the spot for one of them then literally raced to the changing rooms to kit herself out in the fancy Clancey frock.

Um, Talk about a touch of impulse shopping…

If you ask me it looks as if Miss Lohan is in danger of being labeled a shopaholic, er, among other things!

Victoria Beckham (or as I call her – Vic-bore-ria) made her anticipated guest appearance on American Idol last night and managed to hold her own against Simon Cowell – but critics weren’t impressed.

Posh was brought in as one of a few guest judges who filled Paula’s slot during the audition stages and actually contributed well to the panel, even giving Simon some stick at one point.

When Simon branded one performer’s audition ‘dull’ Victoria was quick to disagree, and then told Simon off for rolling his eyes.

She scolded him: “Why do you do that?’ He said: ‘Do what?’ She replied: ‘That thing where you roll your eyes. It takes so much nerve to stand there and do that.”

But fashion designer Posh’s appearance didn’t win her any fans and I’ve got to say I half agree. On the second day of auditions in Boston her navy dress was classy and her hair looked cute, but on day one, her dodgy lace headband was BIG fashion faux pas. And what’s with the overly made-up, tanorexic look? She made sun-worshipping Simon look pale and wan.

New York paper, The Village Voice, called her face “too crazy for the close-up” while the LA Times said her “gaunt appearance was so off-putting it might have cost her the slot DeGeneres eventually won”. Harsh, but her arms were so skinny you just wanted to force-feed her a burger.

Vickie B did, however, bond well with fellow female judge Kara DioGuardi and they both took a shine to one of the charming male auditionees and told another off for being rude.

They even had a laugh together when one hopeful identified Posh as “David Beckham’s wife”.

Kara giggled to Victoria: ‘That’s all you are honey, sorry’.

Needless to say, that auditionee received a resounding NO.

Just as I reported, um… a while back… Simon Cowell is definitely going to be bringing X-Factor to the US in 2011, which means he will almost certainly be saying ta-ta to his judging spot on American Idol after this season.

Now I’m hearing Simon has been negotiating with Fox execs this week, who are desperate to keep him on Idol, but apparently Simon has already made up his mind to leave and concentrate on X-Factor USA. If any of these execs actually watch the show, they’ll know that Simon’s decisions are usually final!

Cowell produces and judges X-Factor in the UK whereas on Idol he’s simply a judge. Bringing X-Factor over will mean more control (and more money) for the sharp-tongued mogul.

And while Fox are trying to assure audiences that Idol will go on without Simon, everyone knows that Simon is Idol and it wouldn’t be the same without him. Ellen’s going to have to make a big impression to convince me that it will still work if Simon goes.

Luckily, we’ll still be able to get our Cowell fix when X-Factor starts in autumn 2011!

The news that comedian Ellen DeGeneres is replacing Paula Abdul may not have pleased the majority of American Idol fans, however I think Simon Cowell made a pretty smart move if you ask me.

Don’t get me wrong, I loved Paula on Idol, those glassy eyes and slurred words of support to its contestants was most entertaining, but if the rumors were true then sadly too many egos clashed behind the scenes leaving Abdul to stupidly Twitter herself out of a deal, and a big one at that!

In this pic: Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell

On Thursday night the question on host Ryan Seacrest’s mind (and mine actually) was what on earth was up with judges Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul? The pair are well known for their past “on and off” screen scraps, but the other night we were seeing a very different story… Perhaps…?

When Seacrest addressed the judges’ odd behavior during the previous night’s show, pointing out the fact that Simon and fellow Idol judge Paula “couldn’t keep their hands off each other,” newly single Simon who recently split with Extra’s Terri Seymour completely surprised the audience with a two word answer…