Beyoncé Knowles is been courted to join the US X Factor judging panel, according to reports. The TV talent show’s judges Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger, along with host Steve Jones, were recently axed in a massive shake up of the programme.

Simon is now keen to get some big names on board including Beyoncé and Mariah Carey. The Chicago Sun-Times claims that Simon is eyeing up the superstars after seeing the weight that musicians Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler have added to rival show American Idol.

“Simon wants nothing but the best for the X Factor,” a show insider added to British newspaper The Mirror. Simon is returning to the judging panel for the second series of the singing show with music producer L.A. Reid.

The British mogul yesterday thanked Paula, Nicole and Steve for their work on the first series. Paula also released her own statement saying that she totally understood the “business decision”.

“Simon and I, along with Fox and Fremantle, have been communicating about this for a while now, and I have absolute understanding of the situation. Simon is, and will remain a dear friend of mine,” she said.

However, the Chicago Sun-Times suggests the parting was “anything but amicable”.

“There were a lot of angry words. I know Simon and Paula say they’re still friends, and Simon’s claiming he and Paula will again work together, but there will have to be some time for that [rift] to heal after what went down the past few days,” a show insider told the publication.