Pop Idol judge Simon Cowell is planning to make Jordan the new queen of Saturday nights on ITV.

The Sussex glamour girl, real name Katie Price, is set to be the star of Cowell's latest reality show.

Details of the project are being kept strictly under wraps.

But Cowell said: "It's an interesting show. I'm very excited about it and Jordan will be perfect for it. She's going to play a great role."

Jordan, who lives in Maresfield, near Uckfield, has yet to sign on the dotted line but Cowell is confident she will agree a deal.

He said: "I desperately want her to do it."

Explaining why he wanted her on the show, Cowell said: "I like her. I like her honesty."

Jordan has already appeared on ITV1 reality show I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!

If Cowell's project is Jordan is approved, she could end up going head-to-head with BBC1's Graham Norton.

The Irish comic's prime-time Saturday night entertainment show goes out in the autumn.

Cowell will not appear in the programme, which he said would not be music-based.

Instead, he will produce it through his new company Syco.

The first project from Syco is talent show The X Factor.

Featuring Cowell, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh as judges, it is open to anyone over the age of 16.

Contestants will be divided into three categories - 16 to 25-year-olds, over-25s and groups.

In the final stages, each judge will be assigned to look after one of the categories. The hopefuls will be whittled down to nine finalists - three from each group - who will go to a public vote. The winner will be signed to Cowell's BMG label.

As there is no upper age limit, some of the hopefuls who have got through to the later stages of the contest are over 80.

Cowell reckons one of the older singers could win and become the new Cliff Richard.

He said: "I would like someone who sells as many records as Cliff. We have seen some real talent in the older age group.

"Louis and Sharon have sent through 81-year-olds. One woman was very sweet but she was just too old. She couldn't get up the stairs without three people giving her a hand."

The first episode of The X Factor is on Saturday.