Ananova:

Pete Waterman is reported to be ready to sign a £1 million deal to join Simon Cowell as a judge on American Idol.

Waterman is said to be getting ready to follow Cowell to the US for the third series of the hit show.

The Sun says he's been in talks with Fox Television and hopes to sign a contract within a few weeks.

The last American Idol series was watched by 50 million people earlier this year and turned Cowell into a huge US star.

The third series of American Idol will start on January 20 with a two-hour special focusing on the auditions.

Cowell has signed for three more series in a £30 million deal. Producers are said to be eager to land Waterman to bolster their judges, which also include singer Paula Abdul and producer Randy Jackson.