The power of US X Factor - Would it work for Cher?

Things are still very hush-hush about the US Factor. We don't know the full line-up of judges, we don't know the presenters, we don't even know the format. Will it be similar to the UK version or try to do something bold and new? With rumours flying left, right and centre it's hard to know what to trust, but as the days pass by, we are surely drawing closer and closer to the inevitable confirmation of everything. The show must go on after all.

Which draws us to another inevitability. As seen in the UK version of the show, Simon was always keen on getting back old contestants - now signed to his record label - to perform on the show - it was an instant boost for their sales. It's his show after all, he has the power to do this.

So imagine now, if he were to do the same on the US version of the show. With a potentially immense audience, the prospect for boosted sales for Simon's UK-based artists is immense. An artist does well on the UK show? Bring them over to America and voila, an instant platform for them to perform on.

Today, we hear reports of X Factor darling Cher Lloyd being lined up to appear on the American show. How would she go down over there? It's impossible to know. On one hand she's very distinctly British, but equally, with her rapping and love of American artists like Nicki Minaj, she could be a surprise success. Let's not forget the mega-popularity of her debut Turn My Swag On performance at the UK auditions. Uploaded on YouTube, the clip was already being shared around the world. The US X Factor would see this same platform for exposure, but on a larger and far more concentrated level.