Music mogul Simon Cowell announced he was leaving the US singing contest after its current ninth series earlier this year. His decision left show bosses clambering to sign up a big-name celebrity to take his place, with radio DJ Howard Stern, Harry Connick Jr. and Jamie Foxx previously said to be in the running.
It has now been claimed American Idol producers want singer Madonna to take Simon`s seat on the judging panel. "Simon is going to leave a gaping hole. Not only is he an expert, he?s also a big star in the States," a source told British newspaper The Sun. "Everyone agrees Madonna would be great and they want her as a full-time judge. But if that fails they`d at least like her as a mentor."
If she wins the role, Madonna will sit alongside Randy Jackson, Ellen DeGeneres and Kara DioGuardi.
The current series of the programme is not doing as well as previous versions, so bosses are keen to shake it up as much as possible. They have decided to start shooting later than normal, in September, so they can find the perfect replacement for Simon.
Simon has admitted he is not looking forward to waving goodbye to the show as he knows it will be upsetting. He has also warned whoever takes his place needs to "actually know what they`re talking about", when it comes to signing new acts.
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