LONDON, March 13 Actor David Gest reportedly is in negotiations to be a judge on the British talent show The X Factor, replacing Louis Walsh who was fired. Executives at ITV said they hope the I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here star can boost interest and raise sagging ratings in the talent project of Simon Cowell, the Mirror said Tuesday. X-Factor co-host Kate Thornton also was fired. Reports indicate talks between Gest and ITV are well under way, the Mirror said. It is hoped Gest will join Cowell, celebrity judge Sharon Osbourne and another still-to-be-named panelist for this summer's new series of the show.Copyright 2007 by UPI
