X Factor guru Simon Cowell cannot decide between Mel B or Sharon Osbourne for a place of the show's judging panel.
Cowell has started negotiations with the pair and he is expected to name one of them as a replacement for Tulisa - who has reportedly been axed from the panel - but it is proving to be a tough choice.
A source said: "Sharon is seriously back in contention, as is Mel - it could go down to the wire."
Osbourne was a judge on the show from 2004 to 2007 and she recently dined with Cowell and also had dinner with his former flame Mezhgan Hussainy on a separate occasion, while Mel B is still thought to be among the frontrunners for the job despite signing up for America's Got Talent in recent weeks.
Louis Walsh and Gary Barlow look set to return to the panel, but Nicole Scherzinger's place looks to be in doubt as sources revealed Simon has not been in touch with her even though she won with James Arthur last year.
An insider added to The Sun: "It is about getting the right chemistry on each panel and the best dynamic. Simon's focus is getting the American X Factor right then he'll sort out the British show.
"While Louis and Gary are pretty certain to return, it is still all to play for for the women."
