[Callum]

Britney Spears is keen to join the panel of the US X Factor.

The Toxic hitmaker - who suffered a public meltdown in 2007 - thinks it's the "perfect time" to become a judge so she can prove to her fans she has put her troubles behind her.

A friend said: "She's a huge fan of The X Factor and thinks it's the perfect time for her to be a judge. She wants to show her fans she is back to her best and where better to do that than on national TV every week?

"She knows all about the ups and downs of pop fame. And with her schedule relatively clear she has the time to dedicate to a different project."

Show boss Simon Cowell has already axed Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger from the judging panel, but is said to be locked in discussions with Fox producers over who will be given the remaining two spots alongside him and record label boss L.A. Reid.

The insider added to The Sun newspaper: "Britney has had a tough few years but this would put her back at the very top. She would be great for the show and it could be great for her.

"In terms of excitement and intrigue Britney would top them all."

When pressed on speculation that Spears was a possibility, Cowll would only say: "I couldn't comment on it. Are we flattered that there could be interest? Yes. Other than that, there will be a lot of twists and turns over the next few weeks and a lot of things we will announce."

He added: "While we have Idol and The Voice competing against each other, I've learned one lesson - keep your mouth shut and don't give it all away!

"These are the auditions which aren't filmed, these are the open auditions, so we probably don't need to confirm the new judges by then. That will happen over the next few weeks."

However, the 30-year-old singer isn't the only star who is keen to bag a place on the panel of the US 'X Factor', as LeAnn Rimes has also reportedly been meeting with show bosses about the job opportunity.

The Can't Fight The Moonlight hitmaker is said to be in talks with FreemantleMedia North America - the co-producer of 'The X Factor'- and believes she could be the perfect judge after getting her big break on reality show Star Search, PerezHilton.com reports.

Would love this to be true, I think she'd make a great judge. She has a whole lifetime worth of experience in the music industry and she's a huge name who's still a big seller in the US.