Simon eyes Mariah Carey for US X Factor

Los Angeles - Simon Cowell wants Mariah Carey to join the US X Factor.

After announcing on Tuesday that he had axed presenter Steve Jones and judges Nicole Scherzinger and Paula Abdul from the show, the 52-year-old music mogul is reportedly determined to persuade the Hero singer to get on board for the new series.

A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: ''Simon wants nothing but the best for the X Factor and Mariah is the best.''

Last April, Simon spoke of his admiration for Mariah, and although he insisted she would be "involved in some form" it never came to fruition.

He said at the time: "I think Mariah will have a role on the TV live shows. I met her recently and she was on great form. And her idea was to be the judge of the judges, which only Mariah could come up with.

"She'll be involved in some form. I literally adore her. I love her to bits."

However, Mariah's husband, America's Got Talent presenter Nick Cannon, has claimed the role would be a step down for his superstar spouse.

He explained: "Why would my wife want to be on a show like that? For somebody who has a legendary career I don't know why they would."