Music mogul Simon Cowell is said to have offered the former Wham! star a £1million deal to appear alongside Cheryl Cole.

"George is going to take the job. It's an amazing opportunity to get back in the limelight and reverse his recent bad spell,” a source told The Sun.

“Simon knows that Americans love him. He is as big in the US as he is over here."

Michael’s rumoured involvement follows reports that former Oasis star Noel Gallagher has also been approached about the job.

The American X Factor is due to begin next year.

(by Jason Gregory)