Melvin Odoom and Rochelle Humes are determined to make Simon Cowell their "new best friend"

Rochelle Humes and Melvin Odoom

Rochelle Humes and Melvin Odoom

The 'Xtra Factor' hosts landed their new job by impressing the music mogul with their own audition tape, but now want to take their professional relationship further.

Melvin said: "We're plotting to make Simon our new best friend. We hustled hard to get this job, so we've impressed him a bit.

"We filmed our own audition tape to get the job and Simon liked it. He's such a cool boss - but I've yet to get his number in my phone.

"I think Rochelle's closer to getting it than I am."

And the presenting duo have even resorted to giving Simon gifts for his young son Eric, 18 months, in a bid to win him over.

Rochelle added: "We made a little bib for Eric to win over Simon. He seemed to like it, but I don't think he took it home..."

While Simon remains elusive, the pair are enjoying working with show judge Cheryl Fernandez-Versini.

Rochelle said: "Cheryl is a babe. I've known her for years through the industry and she's so down to earth."

Melvin added: "She's really fun and approachable. She's great fun to work with."