COULD Jessica Mauboy be joining the judging panel on The X Factor in 2014?
Industry speculation suggests Seven executives are keen to have the pop star involved in some way.
Although they're restricted by the current four-judge panel structure, producers are looking at ways to bring her into the established format.
Early speculation was that Mauboy would replace Natalie Bassingthwaighte but Confidential's calls yesterday confirmed Seven is keen to have her return with Redfoo, Dannii Minogue and Ronan Keating.
"There's nothing to say Jess can't come in as a fifth judge, it's just a matter of getting that approved from Simon Cowell's camp overseas, as they own the rights," says a production source.
Mauboy, 24, would be an obvious choice to bring into the format, which is already the top-rating show for Seven and one of the highest-rating programs of the year.
"Executives are really impressed by Jess and they'd love to have her involved in some way, it's just a matter of how to fit her in," says another well-placed source.
At rival Nine, there's talk Seal is a definite non-starter to return as a judge on The Voice. Meanwhile, Bassingthwaighte is a last-minute option in the mix to take over from Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O on the 2Day FM breakfast shift.
While most talk has been of Sophie Monk taking up the plumb job, Nat Bass is understood to have trialled for the gig alongside Jules Lund and Merrick Watts with contracts yet to be signed.
and apparently she has more than just that one cos there's more than one on US spotify.