Simon Cowell's 'X Factor' U.K. Looking to Book Olympics Stars for Live Show

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Simon Cowell's X Factor in the U.K. is reaching out to some of the stars of the London 2012 Summer Olympics to book them for a live show later this season, a source confirmed.

Amid British media reports that some Olympians could appear on the show as mentors or in other roles, a spokeswoman for the music competition show declined to comment.

But a source told THR that X Factor, in line with the national mood, wants to "celebrate the success of the British Olympians and the Olympics with [the hit show's] first live show." Olympians could give contestants a pep talk ahead of the first live show, and they would be invited to attend.

Such U.K. Olympics stars as runner Mo Farah, swimmer Becky Adlington and heptathlon expert Jess Ennis along with Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt are among the athletes expected to be approached.

Contestants could sing such songs as Tina Turner's “Simply the Best” and Queen's “We are the Champions.”

Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for X Factor declined to comment on a report in tabloid The Sun that Spice Girls member Mel B, who featured as a guest judge on the show's first episode of the season on Saturday, could become a full-time judge next season and replace Nicole Scherzinger.

But a source said the show would love to invite the star, who is currently a judge on the Australian X Factor, back in some form.

The report said that some fans liked her direct style better than that of new judge and Pussycat Dolls star Scherzinger and that Mel B could therefore replace her.

"Mel B did a great job, and we'd love to welcome her back to the show in the future," one person working on the X Factor said.

Email: Georg.Szalai@thr.com
Twitter: @georgszalai