Both are acid-tongued, heavyweight personalities known for their biting turn of phrase. Now Simon Cowell and David Gest are poised to go head to head as judges on the new series of the X Factor.

Liza Minnelli's estranged husband Gest is being lined up to replace ex-judge Louis Walsh, who was sacked last week for being "too bland."

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Cowell is hoping his potential recruit's sharp tongue - combined with a fresh face in place of axed frontwoman Kate Thornton - will prove a winning formula to boost ratings.

But his surprise decision to drop two of the presenters on the ITV show has left them fuming at the snub.

Miss Thornton, 34, was said to have been in tears while Walsh was left furious after Cowell failed to tell him personally of his decision, instead leaving it to ITV producers.

It is hoped Gest - who was an unexpected hit on ITV's I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here earlier this year - will join Cowell, Sharon Osbourne and another new recruit on the judging panel when the series kicks off later this year.

Cowell was said to have been "very impressed" when he met Gest six weeks ago and immediately began mulling away TV projects he could be involved in.

A TV insider said: "Simon actually met him to discuss his new show Britain's Got Talent but was really struck by him.

"He found him witty, sparky and with quite a British sense of humour. He was looking for someone fresh to sit on the panel and thinks David could be the perfect person.

"Louis really was the weakest link and very predictable in an otherwise strong line-up. He is very upset about it, particularly as he was dropped shortly after seeing Simon, who did not say a word to him about it.

"Simon is equally keen to get someone more exciting and sparky to replace Kate.

"He isn't necessarily looking for someone younger, just someone who is going to add a bit more of a spark."

Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq, 31, is being tipped as the favourite to replace Miss Thornton.

Meanwhile Gest's celebrity credentials are thought to make him perfect fodder for the singing reality show.

He is best friends with Michael Jackson and managed Miss Minnelli - although his constant name-dropping on I'm A Celebrity bemused his fellow contestants.

A source said: "Simon is in discussions with David. He could be just what the show needs." The new additions could add millions to Cowell's already vast fortune.

His deal with ITV to judge the X Factor is worth £20 million over the next three years while the US spin-off American Idol will make him £60 million over four years.

The final of the last series, when 21-year-old receptionist Leona Lewis won the contest, drew 12.6 million viewers.

Walsh, who has judged on three series, quit the show briefly in November 2005 after a long-running feud with his fellow panellists.

The Irish music mogul walked out after Cowell called him "an idiot" and described him as "bland" while Mrs Osbourne threw three glasses of water over him.

The exchange of insults continued throughout the most recent series when Walsh was said to have described Cowell's protegee Miss Lewis as "boring."