Simon Cowell has revealed he has a plan to take on Strictly Come Dancing during the festive season - by poaching Sir Bruce Forsyth for an ITV talent show.

The X Factor mogul could put together the Britain's Got Talent-style celebrity effort for ITV's fundraising appeal Text Santa, and has Brucie in his sights now that the entertainer has retired from BBC's Strictly.

He told the Daily Star: "We tried the whole X Factor Celebrity show one year but it was a nightmare.

"I kind of think it would be an idea to try it again. Maybe it would be a good idea for Text Santa but I think Britain's Got Talent might be the show - so you could have Bruce dancing.

"I wouldn't have Bruce as a judge but maybe as a contestant."

Despite The X Factor's ratings having slumped in recent weeks, Simon said he thought Sir Bruce's departure could be bad news for ratings rival Strictly when the competition gets under way later this month.

He told The Sun: "I think the show will miss him. I really do. I mean that's why they brought him out for that first show - because they know that he is ratings."

Simon also told The Sun he believed this year's crop of X Factor acts would make for a better contest: "Last year, the minute I saw the show it was just a one-horse race. I mean no one was going to beat that girl (Sam Bailey).

"I know who has gone through this year and I think it is going to be a proper competition again. I think people are going to be more invested in the contestants this year than last year."