Rita Ora is in talks with Simon Cowell to move over to 'The X Factor' from 'The Voice UK'.

Rita Ora

Rita Ora

The 55-year-old music mogul is said to have held secret talks with the 'Poison' hitmaker and is eyeing up Rita - who was a judge on 2015's 'The Voice' and has acted as a guest judge on 'X Factor' - as a replacement for former Spice Girl Melanie Brown. However, ITV bosses are "keeping options open" in case she decides to decline signing a contract and stick with the BBC.

A TV insider told The Sun newspaper: "Re-signing Cheryl and getting Grimmy changed everything. Rita really wants to be on that panel now so it's a matter of making the logistics work. There's a lot to work through. Show bosses are keeping options open in case Rita is unable to sign."

Cowell is shaking up the judging panel for the next series with Nick Grimshaw set to replace Louis Walsh - who was axed from the show after 11 years as a judge - and Caroline Flack and Olly Murs will official take over as hosts in replacement of Dermot O'Leary.

The show insider has said the full line-up is not set in stone.

The insider added: "There is particularly intense speculation over the judging panel this year. No formal decision has been made on the full line-up as yet."

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