Simon Cowell has reportedly turned to former Pop Idol judge Pete Waterman, with the hope of 'ensuring The X Factor is a success'.
Cowell believes the 72-year-old pop producer, who reigned supreme in the 80's as part of Stock, Aitken and Waterman, launching the careers of Kylie Minogue and Rick Astley among others.
Nicknamed 'The Hitman', Waterman is reportedly being put in charge of choosing the songs for the acts in the coming series of Celebrity X Factor and X Factor All Stars.
The Daily Star has reported that Cowell believes some acts have been eliminated from The X Factor due to 'poor song choices by the judges' rather than the acts themselves not being good enough.
Waterman has helped Kylie and Steps to reach the top of the charts and Cowell wants him to work his magic for the acts in his latest reincarnation of the singing contest.
This time, Cowell is breathing new life into the X Factor format by having celebrities perform before returning for another new series in which great acts from X Factor's past come back to battle it out for another shot at the limelight.
Waterman was a judge on Pop Idol in the 90's and also presented cult dance music show, The Hitman and Her, which had a special place on late night TV.
A source told the Daily Star: “Pete is the best in the business when it comes to choosing the right song for the right singer.
"He has an amazing musical brain. He will make a huge difference.”
With the likes of Britain's Got Talent judge David Walliams , former Strictly dancer Brendan Cole and The Chase's Jenny 'The Vixen' Ryan mooted to be taking part, Waterman could have his work cut out to provide songs that these celebrities can belt out without proving to be a turn off.
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