HARRY’S LINKED TO X FACTOR ROLE

HARRY Styles is being lined up to help Simon Cowell at this year’s X Factor Judges’ Houses. Simon and ITV bosses want One Direction’s breakaway star to be a mentor on the singing competition. Harry has become the top choice after his debut single and album both topped the charts. I can also reveal all the 1D boys will be invited to perform their solo material on the live shows, despite falling out with their former boss. King Cowell was initially furious that Harry, Liam Payne, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik all signed with rival “Nothing has been signed yet but Cowell and Co want to make it happen if schedules allow.” Harry’s former bandmate Louis Tomlinson has previously helped at Judges’ Houses and could return if Harry is unavailable. He is the only band member to sign a solo deal with Cowell’s label Syco. Louis is expected to perform on the live shows but, unlike last year, his former bandmates will also be offered a slot. My source added: “Louis was the only one to perform on X Factor last year but all the boys could potentially sing this year. “Simon was hurt the others signed to rival labels but at the end of the day he’s a businessman and knows it would be good to have them appear.” An X Factor spokesman said “It is far too early to be speculating over live shows or Judges’ Houses when we haven’t even begun the judges’ auditions as yet.” Meanwhile, Liam is set to miss out on top spot with his new track Strip That Down, meaning only Harry and Zayn have managed to land a No.1 with their debut solo singles. I’VE heard that Nicole Scherzinger is “days away” from re-signing as an X Factor judge.

Sources on the show claim the popular judge and former Pussycat Doll will put pen to paper next week.

Nicole’s place on the panel looked in danger when US superstar Mariah Carey’s name was thrown into the mix.

But I can reveal Mimi was ruled out when her expenses bill came to 10 times that of Nicole’s – and that’s before the bigger salary.

My source said: “Nicole is just days away from signing. It’s not yet a done deal but everyone is expecting it to happen.

“Mariah is one of the biggest selling artists in history and her expense bill for her and her huge entourage was just too high.”

That means Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh, Sharon Osbourne and Nicole are now all but certain to be back this year.

An XF spokesman said: “No formal decision has yet been made regarding the full judging panel for The X Factor 2017.”