Love Hewitt may fill X Factor seat

Jennifer Love Hewitt may be bound for X Factor. Source: News Limited

JENNIFER Love Hewitt, Reba McEntire and Kelly Rowland are rumoured as possible replacements to fill Britney Spears' seat on the US X Factor.

So far, the only confirmed season three judge on the X Factor panel is Demi Lovato, returning from last season.

Simon Cowell announced last month the singer would be back to (presumably) join him for a new season of talent searching.

The latest tip is that actress Jennifer Love Hewitt is high on Cowell's list to take the empty Britney Spears seat.

Us Weekly reports that Cowell "is very interested" in J Love.

The actress, 34, is currently starring in the series The Client List. Hewitt's singing career peaked in 1999 with her most popular single, How Do I Deal.

An X Factor representative told Us Weekly that the Hewitt story was "pure speculation."

Also allegedly in the running for X Factor gigs, are Reba McEntire and Kelly Rowland, who judged 2011's UK X Factor.

Mario Lopez is set to return for his second season as host of the show. But his co-host, Khloe Kardashian, was not invited to return.

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Murphy's law the X Factor

Eddie Murphy / Pic: AP Source: Supplied

Mel B / Pic: Cameron Richardson Source: The Daily Telegraph

HOLLYWOOD actor Eddie Murphy refused to sign a visa consent form allowing his child with Spice Girl Melanie Brown to come to Australia, a Sydney court has heard.

The Seven Network is battling in the Supreme Court to retain what it claims is an exclusive Australian television agreement with the singer known as Mel B until January 31, 2014. The network took Brown to court after it was announced earlier this year that she would be appearing on Nine's Australia's Got Talent.

Brown's lawyers told the court last week Seven had no plans to use her this year and simply wanted to stop her appearing on the rival network. But Seven's director of production Brad Lyons said yesterday Seven "really wanted" Brown to appear on its successful X-Factor series for a third year running and so had secured her for the 2013 series. "She was a very good judge. That's why we exercised the option to have her return. She is outspoken and a big international star," Mr Lyons said.

Brown's husband and manager Stephen Belafonte said in a phone call earlier this year Brown would not be able to come to Australia because they were having consent problems with the fathers of her children, Mr Lyons said.

Brown has three children - one from her first marriage to dancer Jimmy Gulzar, one with ex-boyfriend Murphy and one with Belafonte.

"(Mr Belafonte said) 'we're fighting custody battles in LA and London. It's looking increasingly likely Mel will have to live and work in LA'," Mr Lyons said.

Seven production lawyer Jane Oswald said she was told the problem was with Murphy.

"Eddie Murphy ... wouldn't sign the documents, and (they said) they would have to take him to court to get the documents signed," Ms Oswald said.

Mr Lyons said he was upset that Mel B needed to live and work in LA but told Mr Belafonte: "We're not going to tear her away from her kids."

He said he started "working towards a solution" to use Brown in the show, including possibly making her a fifth judge who would fly in and out.

Under cross-examination, Mr Lyons agreed he did not specifically tell Mr Belafonte that Seven and Brown "have an existing and continuing agreement".

But Mr Lyons said he was convinced the agreement was in place. The hearing resumes today.

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Demi Lovato to stay on X Factor panel

Demi Lovato will return to "The X Factor" but without Britney Spears and LA Reid. Source: AP

FOX network says Demi Lovato is returning as a judge of The X Factor.

The singer-songwriter will be back alongside series creator Simon Cowell when the singing competition begins its third season this fall.

Although calling Lovato "really, really annoying," Cowell said he enjoys working with her. She joined the panel of judges last year.

The announcement comes as the panel is being revamped. Britney Spears and record producer Antonio "L.A." Reid departed after Season 2.
 

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X Factor set for stage debut

Simon Cowell is co-producing a spoof musical of the X Factor show called, "X Factor - It's Time to Face the Musical!" Picture: AP/Jordan Strauss Source: AP

SIMON Cowell is bringing a spoof version of "The X Factor" to the London stage in early 2014.

The acerbic judge's firm, Syco Entertainment, is co-producing a musical sending up the popular televised singing contest and written by British comic Harry Hill and directed by Sean Foley.

Syco and Stage Entertainment say that "X Factor - It's Time to Face the Musical!" will be an "affectionate poke" at the talent show.

The firms said on Friday that the show will include 19 new songs, and that casting and the theatre have yet to be confirmed.

The X Factor launched in Britain in 2004 and in the US in fall 2011.

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Khloe Kardashian fired from X Factor

Khloe Kardashian won't be back as co-host of The X-Factor, as Simon Cowell revamps the struggling comp. Picture: AP Source: AP

KHLOE Kardashian has been axed as co-host by the struggling US version of The X-Factor.

Following in the footsteps of departed judge Britney Spears, Kardashian has not been asked to return to Simon Cowell’s struggling reality TV singing competition, the New York Post reports.

Kardashian, who had no previous hosting experience, often appeared unprepared and nervous on camera, struggling to develop a rapport with super-smooth co-host Mario Lopez and deliver her lines on cue.

Kardashian’s ability to draw fans of Keeping Up With the Kardashians wasn’t enough to overcome her inexperience, said LA hosting coach Marki Costello, who has worked with the US The Voice’s CeeLo Green told the Post.

"It was really hard for me to watch Mario with her,” she said. “It made me, as a viewer, almost uncomfortable.”

“I am sure there was a big percentage of Khloe’s fans who followed her to the X Factor. But at the end of the day, when she doesn’t know what she is doing, are you helping your show or hurting it?”

Lopez has been asked to return, the Post reports, and British pop star and UK X-Factor judge Cheryl Cole may return to the judge's table. Cole is suing the show for $US2.3 million ($2.2 million) after she was dumped just weeks into the US version, and her return could be part of a deal to settle the lawsuit.

“The producers have not yet made the talent decisions for this year,” a X Factor spokesperson said.
 

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