Simon Cowell ‘desperate for Rita Ora to ditch The Voice and join X Factor as judge’

Rita Ora is reportedly set to quit The Voice after just one series on the show but it seems there may be more to her rumoured departure than meets the eye – Simon Cowell is said to be desperate for her to sign up for the X Factor.

The ITV talent contest is currently undergoing a shake-up after Dermot O’Leary left as host and long-standing judge Louis Walsh said he wanted to return to his music management roots, and Simon apparently wants Rita to replace Spice Girl Mel B.

However, programme bosses are said to be less keen for Rita to join the panel as they don’t want a former judge from The Voice to appear.

A source told The Sun: “It’s going to be very interesting to see how this all pans out but it could get extremely messy.

“It’s a real battle of wills. ITV see X Factor as vastly superior to The Voice. They don’t want a judge who they see as a cast-off. As far as they are concerned, Rita’s now out of the picture.

“Simon and Syco are determined to push ahead with their plan and still think they can sign her.”

Simon is said to think she will be a great addition to the next season to sit alongside returning judge Cheryl Fernandez-Versini.

The source added: “Rita’s young, she’s sexy, she’s outspoken and she’s current. He tried to get her last year but she turned him down. That has just made him more determined.”

Good luck, Simon!

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