Sir Elton John ‘turned down judging role on The X Factor’

Sir Elton John previously turned down a judging role on The X Factor, it’s been reported.

The music icon is said to have been approached in the past – although show sources say it wasn’t for this year’s series.

Elton’s husband David Furnish revealed that talks had previously taken place in a chat with The Sun newspaper.

He spilled: “There was talk about the possibility of a judging role for Elton.

“But he does 100 shows a year and he doesn’t have time for X Factor judging roles. We’re too busy with Elton’s tour, which is starting in September.”

An X Factor source informed the tabloid: “Elton has been approached to be a judge in the past – but wasn’t this year.

“It must be a case of crossed wires although he’s always welcome to come on the show because we are big fans and he has performed before .”

Currently the judges for this year’s X Factor have yet to be officially announced.

ITV confirmed last month (June) that alongside Simon Cowell, three new judges will join this year’s series while Sharon Osbourne will act as a fifth judge for the live shows.

Both Nicole Scherzinger and Louis Walsh have quit the series, the channel confirmed.

As yet, the names of the new judges have not been confirmed but Robbie Williams is heavily tipped to be one of them.

Speaking about the rumours recently, Robbie said coyly: “There’s a lot of me that would love to do it too but there’s nothing there. Me and Simon and Lauren and the kids and little Eric hang out an awful lot and talk about a lot of things.

“Nothing’s signed but watch this space and I guarantee you will be the first people I speak to about it.”

As for who else could join the show, favourites include former judges Rita Ora and Dannii Minogue, plus current Britain’s Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon and One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson.

Craig David, Kylie Minogue and Mariah Carey are also touted as potential new faces to the ITV show, as well as former contestant and one-time host Olly Murs.

The X Factor will air on ITV later this year.