Simon Cowell wants Rita Ora to join 'The X Factor' judging panel.

Rita Ora

Rita Ora

The 55-year-old music mogul is reportedly keen to recruit the 'I Will Never Let You Down' hitmaker but ITV don't want a "cast-off" from 'The Voice'.

A source said: "It's going to be very interesting to see how this all pans out but it could get extremely messy.

"It's a real battle of wills. ITV see 'X Factor' as vastly superior to 'The Voice'. They don't want a judge who they see as a cast-off. As far as they are concerned, Rita's now out of the picture.

"Simon and Syco are determined to push ahead with their plan and still think they can sign her."

And Simon is extra hopeful of recruiting the 24-year-old beauty after she turned him down last year.

The insider added to The Sun newspaper's TV Biz column: "Rita's young, she's sexy, she's outspoken and she's current. He tried to get her last year but she turned him down. That has just made him more determined."

Meanwhile, will.i.am - who judges alongside Rita on the rival BBC One show - has given his blessing for her to move to 'The X Factor' if she so wishes.

He said: "If it's the best thing for her career, then she should go."


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