Rita Ora ‘offered £1.5 million to join X Factor’

Unlimited clothes, luxury travel and a £1.5 million contract are all said to be part of the improved offer to entice Rita Ora away from The Voice.

Show boss Simon Cowell is said to have stepped up his game when it comes to trying to lure Rita into signing for this year’s X Factor line-up.

Cowell, 55, is reportedly in ‘advanced negotiations’ with the 24 year-old to replace Mel B and Louis Walsh, after her close friend Nick Grimshaw joined the panel.

Head judge Simon, who rejoined the panel last year, has launched a three-prong attack (according to claims) which prioritises Rita’s international career by offering to lend her his private jet, among other tempting treats.

An ITV source told The Daily Mirror on Tuesday: ‘He has launched an extreme charm offensive. He says she can spend what she likies on dresses for the series so she looks great. 

‘His final part to offer a huge money deal. He upped the contract to £1.5 million,’ said the source before adding, ‘The deal is massive compared to what the BBC can pay her.’ 

An X Factor spokesperson told MailOnline on Tuesday morning: ‘There is a great deal of speculation over the judging line-up for this year’s series. 

‘However, no formal decision has been made regarding the full judging line-up for this year’s X Factor.’

A representative for Rita Ora refused to comment when contacted by MailOnline.

Rita, who has released just one studio album, joined the The Voice in early 2015 but came fourth in the competition alongside vocal coaches Will.i.am, Tom Jones and Ricky Wilson.

Speaking to the newspaper back in April, Simon said he thought Rita ‘was very good’ on The Voice and hinted: ‘When it comes to asking her over, you know, it’s fair game.’

But Rita claimed to have turned down a heavy cash offering from The X Factor in favour of The Voice for her first TV role and later slammed the ITV show, saying the BBC’s singing competition was more entertaining and that she had more ‘respect’ for the latter.

She told Radio Times: ‘We’re definitely more entertaining as individuals! And the singers are better. And to answer bluntly, it’s about music. It’s a good show, a great formula, and there’s no illusions.’

The Mirror’s source claimed the offer will make Rita the highest paid judge, although Cheryl was reportedly offered a £500,000 pay rise this year to reprise her role on the ITV panel for a second year in a row.

The former Girls Aloud star was said to have inked a deal for £2 million – just more than reports for Rita’s pay packet – to continue her 2014 comeback after a four year hiatus. 

Simon, the big boss in charge of hiring and firing, is expecting to cause a sensational shake up this year and has already secured Radio 1 DJ Nick for one spot on the panel. 

A judge from the start, Louis Walsh was the one in the firing line this year and recently hinted that he’d lost his spot to BBC Radio 1’s ‘Grimmy’ – though the DJ is yet to confirm the news.

Mel B was also reportedly ditched for this year’s line-up with speculation surrounding Robbie Williams, One Direction’s Zayn Malik and Kate Moss as hot tips to join this year.

Big boss Simon is not in the business of sparing feelings since he famously made an enemy of Cheryl when he took away the Geordie’s spot on the US version of X Factor. 

Rita is already in demand all of the world, but has London-based boyfriend Ricky Hilfiger to keep her tied to the UK.