Mel B on standby for 'X Factor' hotseat
Mel B is being lined up to replace Nicole Scherzinger on 'The X Factor'.
The former Spice Girls singer is reportedly on standby to step in if contract talks between the 'Poison' hitmaker and programme bosses break down and she decides not to return for a second series on the judging panel.
While Gary Barlow and Louis Walsh are said to have agreed deals for the new series, along with returning former judge Sharon Osbourne, Nicole is said to be hesitating over her £1m (€1.2m) contract because she has a new album to promote in November and show bosses don't want to risk having to bring in guest judges if she backs out at the last minute, as Dannii Minogue did last year.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "Nicole is causing some worry. Bosses want her after her success last year, but she doesn't know if she can give all her energy to the show.
"Producers don't want to be left in the lurch like last year so Mel is being lined up in case talks fail."
Mel was previously linked with Tulisa's vacant slot on the panel, but the way was paved for Sharon to return when the 'Say You'll Be There' singer signed up as a judge on 'Australia's Got Talent'.
However, a court recently banned her from the programme because of an exclusivity deal she has with a rival TV channel Down Under, where she was previously a judge on the local version of 'The X Factor'.
Mel is also a judge on 'America's Got Talent'.
