Simon Cowell is reportedly lining up Mariah Carey's ex, American record executive Tommy Mottola, to star on the US X Factor.
According to the Daily Mail the two music titans wined and dined at Hollywood restaurant Cecconi’s last night and were beaming as they left.
A Fox source said: "Simon and Tommy have known each other for years since their days at Sony and Simon has wanted to get Tommy on board one of his shows for a long time.
"They get on extremely well and this could be the moment where they finally get on screen together. Tommy’s from the Bronx in New York, he’s tough talking, doesn’t pull any punches and will make great TV."
However, if Mottola takes the role, it could scupper an appearance by Carey, his ex-wife.
Heavily pregnant Carey, who is expecting twins next month with her husband Nick Cannon, had made clear her interest in joining Cowell, 51, on the judging panel of the new talent TV show – and was certainly a name on Fox executives’ wish list.
However it may not be possible for the ex-couple to appear together
Mottola, 61, is one of the most high-profile record executives in the industry and throughout his 15-year tenure at Sony was responsible for launching Carey’s career as well as discovering Jennifer Lopez.
Ironically, Lopez, 41, is now a judge on 'American Idol' after Cowell quit the show to launch 'The X Factor' in the States.
Meanwhile, Cheryl Cole is still very much in the frame to join Cowell on 'The American X Factor' in the autumn – despite the fact that some Fox executives are believed to be less than keen after audience focus groups showed that she was not that popular.
Auditions for 'The American X Factor' will not start until May – where producers will whittle down contestants - with judges coming on set shortly afterwards.
Cowell will apparently not make an official announcement about who will join him on the show until next month.
