George Michael to join X Factor panel?

George Michael is set to become an 'X Factor' judge for one night only.

The 'Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go' singer is to become the first celebrity guest lined up to appear alongside the ITV show's regular panel, in a move to shake up the format of the series.

Simon Cowell and Cheryl Cole are widely rumoured to be leaving the show this year to work on its US version, which would leave just Dannii Minogue and Louis Walsh as full-time mentors to the singing show's acts.

However, Simon is believed to have approached former Wham! hitmaker George about becoming a full-time addition to the team, offering him a deal worth £1 million, but he claimed he wasn't ready for such a big commitment.

Instead, it is thought the panel will be joined by celebrity judges, with insiders claiming George, 47, has been offered a whopping £75,000 to make a one-time appearance at the show.

A source told The Sun newspaper: "If Simon and Cheryl decide not to take part it will give people something to talk about."

George has previously appeared on 'The X Factor' to sing a duet with 2009 show winner Joe McElderry.

A whole host of celebrity judges - including Katy Perry, Pixie Lott and Nicole Scherzinger - sat in on the panel during auditions for the 2010 series of the show while Dannii was on maternity leave.