The rumour mill is spinning with reports that Simon Cowell has asked Cheryl Cole to join the judging panel of X Factor America.

The ‘Three Words’ singer currently judges on his UK version of the show and is something of a favourite of Simon’s. The Daily Mail reports that Cowell is now encouraging her to buy property in LA and so that he can help her crack America.

‘Simon has asked Cheryl to join him on the panel for the debut of American X Factor and she’s delighted,’ says a source.

‘He has told her she will be an enormous hit and Cheryl is very keen as she wants to crack the States both as a singer and a TV personality.

‘She plans to travel to LA in the early summer and Simon will introduce her to a lot of influential people in the industry.’

A source close to Cowell said: ‘Simon thinks Cheryl is really warm, honest and funny and that she will be a huge success. Her name is definitely in the hat.’

The insider also denied rumours that Victoria Beckham was being considered for the job.. ‘It is about as likely as her winning the lottery,’ the source added.