With the numbers for X Factor flagging show boss Simon Cowell is pulling out all the stops – he is reportedly planning on enlisting One Direction star Louis Tomlinson to help him at judges' houses.
According to reports the 55-year-old music mogul has high hopes that adding Tomlinson to the X Factor line-up will bring a huge boost to the ratings.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "Simon is pulling out the big guns as he is still determined to make this series a huge success.
"One Direction have always been big ratings winners and Louis is the most outspoken of the band. He won't be afraid to tell people if they're terrible, which Simon loves."
A representative for The X Factor told the MailOnline: "It is too early to confirm guest judges for Judges' Houses - any reports are purely speculative."
If Tomlinson does join Cowell's team he will be replacing his regular mentor Sinitta at the Judges' Houses stage, which this year, for the first time ever, will be broadcast live from four locations around the world.
Speaking about the possibility of the 1D star replacing her Sinitta said: "He spent a lot of time with us last year, mentoring the talent and watching rehearsals.
"I could definitely see him going into music management and production so it's a good place to start."
