Barry Manilow has been invited to appear on the X Factor by judge, and creator, Simon Cowell.

Simon hopes Barry’s appearance will boost the show’s ratings, after the ‘Copacabana’ singer drew in 35 million viewers in the US when he appeared on ‘American Idol’.

A source said: “Simon thinks Barry will be a huge ratings hit in the UK as well. He is a firm favourite with the grannies.”