Mel B has been offered a six-figure deal to be a judge on 'Stepping Out'.
The 'America's Got Talent' panellist will fly back and forth across the Atlantic to appear on the new ITV dance show, which will launch alongside the new series of 'The X Factor' next Saturday (31.08.13), as bosses bid to dominate the autumn TV ratings battle against the BBC.
A source said: "Getting Mel B on board will be a huge coup for ITV. They desperately wanted her as a judge on 'X Factor' before Nicole signed up, but she couldn't do it because she was on 'Australia's Got Talent' at that point.
"ITV are really pulling out all the stops to sign her as they are determined to dominate the ratings battle this autumn.
"Launching such a big-budget entertainment show on the same night as 'X Factor' is a very ambitious move but they hope it will encourage more people to stay in and watch an entire Saturday night of television. If that happens they will blow the competition out of the water."
The 38-year-old singer is expected to live up to her moniker of 'Scary Spice' when critiquing the celebrity couples on the dance show as they learn choreography and perform live.
The source added to The Sun newspaper: "They definitely know what they're getting with Mel and that's an outspoken, feisty northern lass who doesn't mince her words. She won't be worried by the fact she is commenting on other celebrities. If she thinks their dancing is rubbish, then they are going to know about it."
ITV bosses are reportedly so keen to have the Mel on the show, they are willing to fund her expensive transatlantic trips.
The added: "They will be paying a lot of money for her services, but as far as they are concerned she's worth it. Someone's going to have to pick up her travel bill as well, although it will probably be NBC who broadcast 'America's Got Talent'."
Celebrity couples on the show include Denise Welch and her new husband Lincoln Townley, as well as JLS singer Oritse Williams and his girlfriend Aimee Jade.
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