X Factor fans to cast Facebook votes?

Fans of 'The X Factor' may soon be able to vote for their favourite acts on Facebook.

Bosses of the ITV1 show are believed to be in talks to put the format in place, which will allow users to cast their votes through the social networking site rather than calling a premium rate number, in the hope of making the process easier for young viewers.

A source explained: "Details are still being ironed out, but everyone's incredibly excited. It makes perfect sense as 'The X Factor' has one of the youngest, most media-savvy audiences of any show in the world."

Organisers hope to have the system ready for the next series of the show - headed by music mogul Simon Cowell - in the UK, and for its Stateside launch later this year, in place alongside more traditional phone voting.

It is hoped the move may also help to increase the number of votes cast, as Facebook has some 550 million members worldwide.

The source added to The Sun newspaper: "For Simon it makes voting easier for millions of fans. And for Facebook, it encourages millions more to join and get involved in the interactive aspect of the show.

"TV and social media are overlapping more and more. This takes it to a new level. In the UK, you will buy Facebook credit like you can now for games on the website, and use that to vote.

"In America, you don't pay to vote because of broadcasting laws. So viewers will vote through an app, or in the way you 'like' a celebrity's page now. It's a huge, game-changing move."

'The X Factor' will return to UK TV in the summer.