X Factor boss Simon Cowell may be in line to receive a Knighthood from the Queen, in return for the charity work he regularly undertakes.

Nearly 10 Facebook sites have been established to lobby for Cowell “Sir Simon” and a formal notification has reportedly been sent to Gordon Brown in Downing Street.

A source close to the PM told the Daily Star Sunday: “Gordon is a good friend of Simon’s and admires all the work he does.

“I’m sure he would back any attempt to get Simon knighted – if it’s not in June, then in the New Year’s Honours list.”

Cowell, who backed the Help for Heroes charity, is currently working on a charity single for victims of the recent Haiti earthquake.

On the subject Simon previously said: “I never did all this to get a knighthood.

“I am very lucky to do what I do and I feel privileged.”