Simon Fuller was behind the Spice Girls' success

Fuller, who used to manage the Spice Girls, could make up to $50m (�35m) from the sale of the format, to be called American Idol, according to the Sunday Times.

The UK version, produced by Fuller's company, 19, was a huge hit with a final� that attracted more than 13 million viewers and a record 8.7 million phone votes.

Fox are expected to pay $1m (�700,000) per episode for 15 episodes of the show, in which budding stars are given no-nonsense assessments by expert judges and the public votes for the final winner.

Simon Cowell has become famous as a Pop Idol judge

Another $20m (�14m) could come from sponsorship and telephone revenues, the paper says.

Talent search shows have had success in the US before - pop group O-Town came out of the show Making the Band, but the groups formed on two series of Popstars have not yet made the big time.

The UK Pop Idol winner Will Young is currently preparing to release his debut single, Anything Is Possible/Evergreen, while his success is still fresh in viewers' minds.

Record-breaking

Two other contestants, Helen Farrar and Rachel Makins, who made it through to the final 50, have just signed a record deal and are working with Motown legend Edwin Starr.

Contestant Hayley Evetts now works for ITV1 show This Morning

Fuller is reported to be in negotiations to sell the show's format to more countries as well as the US.

Several countries have already screened their own versions - including Spain, where the show broke the record for the biggest ever TV audience last week.

France's Star Academy has also been a hit, while the third series of Popstars in Australia is currently searching for just one winner.