[Jack]

SINGING legend Michael Jackson is to star on The X Factor, we can reveal.

He has agreed to be a mentor for the show broadcast on December 1.

It is a huge coup both for the talent search show and ITV.

The channel broadcast the Martin Bashir interview with Jacko, 49, that led to his court case for allegedly molesting a boy. The pop star was acquitted.

Girls Aloud will also be making an appearance – rumoured to be one of their last before an expected split.

The girls signed up despite member Cheryl Cole slating the show recently.

She said the age limit should not have been lowered to 14, adding: “To have someone criticise you when you’re that young is very hard. Give them a few years, a chance to finish school and they’ll be ready.”

Celine Dion, Rihanna, Kylie, Shayne Ward, Leona Lewis, Westlife and Mariah Carey have also agreed to appear.

They will spend several days with the finalists – helping them prepare their songs and fine-tune their voices.

They will also perform one of their own songs.

An insider said: “We’ve got some huge names but Michael Jackson really is a sensational signing. He is a truly global, worldwide superstar. And this will be his first TV appearance in Britain since the Martin Bashir interview. Given his background with ITV, it’s even more astonishing that he agreed to do it.”

Judges Louis Walsh, Simon Cowell, Dannii Minogue and Sharon Osbourne have all done their bit to persuade stars to appear.

Dannii has got big sister Kylie to be on the final show. The live programmes kick off on October 20 with Leona Lewis.

The source said: “There has been some top-level negotiating here. Everyone is absolutely delighted.

“The contestants are better, the judging panel is bigger and better, so the celebrity guests had to be.

“This is going to be the best show on TV.”

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...icle302684.ece