Simon Cowell signs deal with Netflix for new singing show Midas Touch

Simon Cowell has signed a huge deal with streaming giant Netflix for a new show in his bid to find the ‘next One Direction’. 

The music mogul, 64, said recently that he thought there had not been a band as successful as One Direction since, and had set about on a quest to replicate their fame.

It has now been revealed that he has signed a deal with Netflix for his new show and – clearly not afraid to shout about his talent scouting prowess – has called it Simon Cowell: Midas Touch.

A source revealed to The Sun that Simon is in the end stages of finalising the deal with the streamer.

They said: ‘Netflix is the perfect place for his new show and Box To Box, who are producing the series, have worked with them before.

‘Simon and his team have been working so hard on getting the show off the ground and a final deal is so close now.’

The name of the show has amused people behind the scenes, it has been said. 

The source added: ‘Simon knows he is the best at what he does and calling his show Midas Touch gives a new meaning to blowing your own trumpet.’ 

Simon’s search will consist of X Factor boot camp style auditions starting on July 4 and 5 in Newcastle, before he moves on to Liverpool, Dublin and London. 

It was revealed on Saturday that Simon fears the UK is not finding enough breakthrough talent, saying record labels are not signing enough new stars, who face too much competition online.

Simon, who had global success with One Direction and Westlife, is determined to change that with a new project in which he holds auditions for a new band.

He told the Daily Mail: ‘Right now record labels aren’t signing enough new talent.

‘So the amount of UK artists who are breaking worldwide has literally fallen off a cliff because I think there is too much competition online.

‘People don’t knock on your door saying, “I’ve got a new band”. It doesn’t happen. You’ve got to go out there yourself and do it. So that’s what we are doing.’

Simon was seen putting up a giant billboard of his own face in a bid to drum up publicity for his new show earlier this month.

He surprised passersby in London as he erected the mammoth poster to launch his nationwide hunt for the next big boyband.

Simon decided his star presence was needed to plug his next project after Britain’s Got Talent received the worst ratings in its 17-year history on Sunday night – despite the head judge claiming it was the best final he has seen in a long time.

Dressed in dungarees, the head judge got to work with a bucket and brush in hand. 

He left Londoners shocked as he proceeded to smooth out a giant poster of his own face alongside the words ‘Simon needs you. Future megastars wanted for new boyband. No time wasters.’

The last British pop act to find global success was Dua Lipa, who was signed by Warner Records in 2014. 

In contrast, in the 1960s, 70s, 80s and 90s there was no shortage of world-beating musical acts such as the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Wham! and Take That.

Music industry insiders said this was a contributing factor behind Glastonbury organisers’ struggle to find big enough headliners for this year’s festival.

Ms Lipa, 28, is top of the bill at the Pyramid stage on Friday, with Coldplay being the Saturday headliners – for the fifth time. 

The American artist SZA will headline on Sunday night.