X Factor boss Simon Cowell is reportedly looking into suing rival TV talent show The Voice.
The show, which has versions in 60 countries world wide, uses a knockout chair challenge in some of its European editions.
However the X Factor mogul is reportedly looking at taking action as the format is very close to Six Chair Challenge, where contestants on his show have to sing for a place on one of six chairs that guarantee them a place in the next round.
The UK version of The Voice doesn’t have the chair challenge after X Factor bosses reportedly sought guarantees from ITV when it moved over from the BBC.
A source at X Factor told The Mirror that Cowell was looking at potential legal action against Talpa, which owns the rights to The Voice.
The source was quoted as saying:
“Simon listened to advice but decided to continue with his action against Talpa. He is speaking to lawyers who specialise in format protection.”
A source close to Cowell in his production company Syco said: “Simon’s team identify what factors make any new shows different and what is intellectual property and copyright. This is normal practice.”
