Mel: I wanna B better paid

The 42-year-old, currently locked in a bitter divorce battle, is hoping to see 1.8 become 2.2 – millions, that is – as she haggles for a 22 per cent rise to return to America’s Got Talent.

Pop mogul Simon had promised to “look after” Mel, who faces financial trauma over her split from Stephen Belafonte.

And a source tells me the singer is looking for more money due to her mounting legal costs.

They reveal: “Mel feels she’s in a very strong position to wrangle a pay rise. She was an integral part of the success, with so much being written about her life and then talked about after the broadcasts. “Not only did her pick win the series, but she and Simon dominated the show’s dramatic moments. “NBC know they have a great judges formula, which is key to most of these shows. “She’s not signing on straight off the bat – she feels she is in a great position.” Simon and NBC were delighted the AGT finale pulled in 15 million viewers for two nights – a six-year high. Insiders at the network’s media team Singer Mel say no season has ever generated more press. And even Simon has admitted Mel is making chase

The source added: “She’s confident she can get it as Simon wants her back too.

“She feels the longer she keeps them hanging on the greater the chance of landing the hefty rise.”

Asked if Mel and fellow judges Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel will return, Simon has confessed: “I never know.

“I have to chase them all over the world. We want to continue what we’ve got because it works.”

Mel was ordered by a judge in August to fork out more than €100,000 for Belafonte’s legal fees – as well as €11,000 in monthly maintenance.

An extra €400,000 will come in handy…