Simon Cowell is lining up Tommy Mottola as a judge on the US version of 'The X Factor'.
The music mogul met with the record executive - ex-husband of Mariah Carey and former boss of Sony Music - at exclusive Hollywood restaurant Cecconi's last night (01.03.11) where they discussed the possibility of working together on the TV talent show.
A source told the Daily Mail newspaper: "Simon and Tommy have known each other for years since their days at Sony and Simon has wanted to get Tommy on board one of his shows for a long time.
"They get on extremely well and this could be the moment where they finally get on screen together. Tommy's from the Bronx in New York, he's tough talking, doesn't pull any punches and will make great TV."
Simon is to launch the show later this year and while he is confirmed as a judge, the rest of the line-up remains a mystery.
It had been assumed British singer Cheryl Cole - who appears alongside Simon on the UK edition of the show - would be joining him, but bosses at Fox are said to be unsure because she is not well-known in the States and has an accent viewers may not be able to understand.
The source added: "Cheryl was a shoo-in up until a few weeks ago when Simon appeared in the Superbowl advert that was watched by billions.
"It was the first taster of 'X Factor America' and since then big names have been coming forward, which means that everyone is now taking their time about making decisions - they don't want a celebrity just for the sake of it."
Other people rumoured to be in the frame include Nicole Scherzinger, Mariah Carey, and Jessica Simpson.