Will Young thinks "it would make brilliant TV" if he joined 'The X Factor'.

Will Young

Will Young

The former 'Pop Idol' winner has revealed he would love to join the judging panel of the ITV singing competition as he thinks his rivalry with former boss Simon Cowell would make for excellent viewing.

He told The Sun newspaper: "It would make brilliant TV.

"We'd just argue all the time! Can you imagine?"

Will is one of a number of stars to be linked to the job after Simon hinted only he and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini would be returning from last year's line up, with Louis Walsh claiming his time on the show is over while Mel B is reported to have been sacked after just one year.

Meanwhile, Simon's former 'Pop Idol' and 'American Idol' colleague Nigel Lythgoe has admitted he thinks his pal needs to slow down and quit smoking.

The 65-year-old producer now wears a pacemaker and defibrillator after suffering a heart attack and claims he's worried the same could happen to Simon.

He told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "I really worry he will end up like me. He works too hard. Simon needs to calm down and give up smoking.

"He will still manage to take over the world but it will just take him a bit longer.

"He is a remarkable man. I have known him for many years but I had a heart attack while I was editing the second series of 'American Idol'. It made me realise how vulnerable I am.

"Hopefully the pacemaker and defibrillator will keep me alive. And I don't smoke any more. But I do hope Simon slows down and takes it a bit easier."