SIMON COWELL LAUNCHES THE SEARCH FOR NEXT BIG BOYBAND

Simon Cowell has launched the search for the next big boyband. The process will be filmed and broadcast on a "global entertainment service." More details can be found here.

A source told The Mirror: "Previously Simon has looked to ITV for his projects, but he now feels global streaming platforms are the way forward. He wants to find the next 1D and use one of these platforms and launch them to the world...

"This is effectively X Factor 2.0. Simon has the biggest songwriters in the world on standby holding massive hits, and is in talks to try to find the right partner to stream the project."

The Mirror's source continued: "X Factor enjoyed extraordinary success over many years, and was responsible for discovering stars that are still in the charts today. So unsurprisingly there’s been a lot of interest in this project and several streaming giants are keen to snap it up."

More details will be revealed in due course.