Millionaire music boss Simon Cowell reckons he could turn Prince William into a pop star.

The Pop Idol favourite said the dashing prince would be a huge hit if he was let loose on a ballad.

Cowell, whose mother Julie lives in Ovingdean, told celebrity magazine Heat, which is published today, it did not matter whether the royal heartthrob could sing or not.

"Prince William would make a great pop idol. He's got the looks and class of a true star," said the music guru.

Cowell found notoriety as a judge on ITV1's hit show Pop Idol - with a series of barbed putdowns which left wannabe music stars reeling.

But he said he would not expect William to queue up with the other contestants for the show, which propelled Will Young and Gareth Gates to stardom.

Cowell said he would be happy for him to audition in private.

"I don't know whether the prince can sing or not, but let's face it, that's not always a problem."

Cowell, who has found fame in the US as a judge on American Idol, said he could see William being marketed as a "tortured" soul.

"I'd love to see him sing a ballad reflecting on the troubles in his life," he said.