Simon Cowell 'to miss X Factor auditions'

Simon Cowell is reportedly set to miss the audition phase of this year's 'The X Factor'.

The 51-year-old music mogul - who is launching the US version of the talent competition later in the year - is believed to have told frantic ITV1 bosses he would only be taking part in the live show stage of the UK series as he concentrates on the Stateside launch.

According to an 'X Factor' insider, network chiefs became so desperate to keep their biggest star they even offered to charter a private jet to whisk him across the Atlantic each week.

The source explained: "Simon's biggest priority is the US 'X Factor' at the moment - he has got a lot to prove and he has to make it a hit."

Meanwhile, Simon's fellow judge Cheryl Cole - who is reportedly house-hunting in Los Angeles as she prepares to take up a job on the Stateside version of the show - is said to have been told she is "not famous enough" to be a judge on the US 'X Factor', with Rihanna and Katy Perry being more suitable choices for the job.

The insider added to the Daily Mail newspaper: "It was thought the American job was a done deal but it seems the US executives have had a last-minute change of heart. They are now questioning whether she's famous enough in America."