Michael Jackson could appear on X Factor Michael Jackson is being lined up to make a guest appearance at the final of television talent show, The X Factor. Michael Jackson is playing a 50 date residency at the O2 arena in London from July Photo: PA
by Alastair Jamieson
10:21AM BST 20 May 2009
Executives from the programme's production company Talkback Thames have been in discussion with the pop star's manager Frank DeLeo in a bid to thrash out a deal.
It would see the King of Pop, who is playing a 50 date residency at the O2 arena in London from July this year to February next year, appear on the final show
as a mentor to one of the three finalists and perform live singing in a duet with his contestant.
Last year's winner Alexandra Burke sung with Beyoncé and other superstar guests from other series include Mariah Carey, Kylie Minogue and boy band Take That.
A programme source said: "As soon as it was confirmed Jacko would be in London performing at the O2 at the same time of the X Factor final, Simon [Cowell] saw a golden opportunity. Talks are at an early stage but progressing well. Jackson's representatives are open to negotiations and Jackson himself is said to be keen on the idea.
"Simon's priority is to get bigger and bigger guests on the show each year and they certainly don't get much better than Michael Jackson. It would be a real coup for the show."
The source added: "Simon [Cowell] desperately wants this and we are pulling out all the stops to make it happen. It will be the best series of them all and there is a real buzz building about this."
Auditions for X Factor 2009 are already under way with the show beginning in late autumn.
Tens of thousands of applicants will bid to make it to the show's final, held live on ITV1 the week before Christmas. The winner receives a one million pound recording contract.
The source added: "A starring performance on the X Factor Christmas final, watched by millions of viewers, just weeks before his residency is due to end in London, will no doubt be as beneficial to Jackson as much as it would be for the X Factor."
Meanwhile, it has emerged that Jacko's stage show dancers have been asked to commit to his tour for two years, sparking speculation the singer may play more than 50 dates at the O2.
Twins Maya and Nandy McClean auditioned in Los Angeles to take part in the O2 shows and said they could not sign a contract for two years because they had other commitments.
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LoginMichael Jackson could appear on X Factor
And we all know Michael keeps his promises... better a bit later than never