Lionel Richie is reportedly in talks about joining the UK X Factor lineup.

The ‘Dancing On The Ceiling’ hitmaker is thought to be a favourite of Simon Cowell’s to join the judging panel of the ITV1 talent show as the TV boss is keen to get the final line-up sorted before auditions start in earnest next month.

Dannii Minogue and Louis Walsh have both been told to keep their diaries clear, though have not yet signed their new contracts and neither Simon Cowell or Cheryl Cole are expected to return, as the will most likely be caught up in the US version.

Simon is set to meet ITV1 bosses today (01.04.11) to decided on the four judges, with Nicole Scherzinger, Lily Allen, Michael Buble and Gary Barlow also in the frame.

A source told The Sun newspaper: “It has reached crunch time as we need to start announcing UK judges. Simon is coming in to talk. We’re confident we’ll have it wrapped up by next week.”

Bosses are keen for Simon to play some part in the UK version of the show and have reportedly asked if he would agree to judge the programme’s live stages via satellite link.

However, a source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: “There’s less than a 50 per cent chance he’ll agree. It’s looking more as though he won’t be heavily involved. It’s frustrating for them but Simon can’t clone himself to be in two places at once.”

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The live finals begin on Saturday at 5.50pm with a marathon two-hour ITV1 show.

The result of the public vote follows at 9.10pm – revealing the name of the first act to leave.

View the original post Lionel Richie To Appear On X Factor This Week. on Unreality TV