Simon Cowell is said to be keen to land Jessica Simpson for the US version of ‘The X Factor’.

Speaking in an interview with Fox News, the 51 year old star admitted that he has been in talks with the blonde singer and actress and insiders say that she is at the top of his list to take on one of the coveted judge-and-mentor roles on the show when it launches this September.

A source told People: “There [are] loads of conversations happening at the moment. No one has been offered a judging role yet as new names keep coming forward who want the role, but there are some frontrunners and it’s fair to say Jessica is one of them. She’s very keen.

“She knows what she is talking about [and] is talented and likable. But Simon’s not in a rush to decide. The judges have to mentor on ‘The X Factor’ – it’s more than just turning up for a few hours a week to appear on TV.”

Simpson certainly has industry experience. She has achieved seven Billboard Top 40 hits, three gold and two Multi- Platinum RIAA certified studio albums, four of which have reached the top 10 on the US Billboard 200. The blonde bombshell starred with her then-husband Nick Lachey in the MTV reality show Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica. She later ventured into the country music market in 2008 and released Do You Know.

However, Jessica is not the only person in the frame for a role, it was revealed yesterday that record executive Tony Mottola – ex-husband of Mariah Carey and former boss of Sony Music – is also being considered.

An insider said: “Simon and Tommy have known each other for years since their days at Sony and Simon has wanted to get Tommy on board one of his shows for a long time.

“They get on extremely well and this could be the moment where they finally get on screen together. Tommy’s from the Bronx in New York, he’s tough talking, doesn’t pull any punches and will make great TV.”

Other people mentioned as possibilities include Nicole Scherzinger, Mariah Carey, and Cheryl Cole.