Simon Cowell Hard at Work on THE X FACTOR Musical?

Michael Riedel reports that Simon Cowell is hard at work on THE X FACTOR MUSICAL, which just had an invitation only workshop in London last week, starring Alexander Hanson as the infamous reality show judge. The show, with a 16 million dollar budget is being co-produced by Cowell and Stage Entertainment, and features an original score by Steve Brown and a script by Harry Hill.

The story of the show, which invites comparison's to the Spice Girls'S VIVA FOREVER trails a young, black woman who lives in a trailer park and her rise to fame - via auditions for THE X FACTOR. The show is said to be closest in tone to Jerry Springer, THE OPERA.

In December, the second season of THE X FACTOR came to an exciting conclusion as Tate Stevens was crowned the winner during a special live two-hour season finale on FOX. Online auditions for the third season of THE X FACTOR are now open through June 15, 2013 at 11:59 PM PT. Solo artists and vocal groups 12 years old and over may submit their two-minute a cappella audition videos and check schedules at www.TheXFactorUSA.com.

Simon Cowell is an A&R executive, producer and star of some of the highest-rated television shows in the world. His discerning eye for talent and his candid remarks have made him a household name. In 2002, he founded his U.K.-based media and entertainment Production Company, Syco, which became a joint venture with Sony Music Entertainment in 2010.

Syco's television and music assets include the global TV franchises "The X Factor" and "Got Talent," as well as International Artists such as One Direction, Leona Lewis, Susan Boyle, Il Divo, Cher Lloyd, Rebecca Ferguson and Labrinth. Cowell has worked with artists who have sold more than 300 million records worldwide.

"The X Factor" has remained the U.K.'s No. 1 program since its debut in 2004, peaking with an audience of 21 million, with a 65% audience share for its 2010 finale. The 2011 finale, held at Wembley Arena in front of a live audience of 12,000, was the most-watched TV show of the year, with a bigger audience than the Royal Wedding.

Artists discovered by "The X Factor" around the world have earned more than 250 No. 1, 270 Top 10 and 501 Top 50 releases. Versions of "The X Factor" are now produced in more than 43 territories and the U.S. version airs in more than 162 countries. Around the world, "The X Factor" has increased the average demographic for most broadcasters by up to 250%.

"Got Talent," which first launched in the U.S. as "America's Got Talent," airs in 125 countries with original versions of the format now produced in 50 territories around the world. "Britain's Got Talent" is the highest-rated entertainment show of 2012 and has remained the U.K.'s most-watched format since it launched. "Got Talent" has boosted broadcasters' primetime audience shares by as much as 304%.

In 2009, "Britain's Got Talent" launched the global singing career of Susan Boyle. Her debut Syco album sold over eight million units in six weeks, making it the world's biggest-selling album of 2009 and the fastest-selling album in history, with 20 million records sold to date.