Paul Burrell is being lined up to host a television quiz show called What the Butler Saw, according to his agent.

The former butler to Diana, Princess of Wales, will front the American programme looking at newspaper stories, social history, scandal and the royals, said his personal manager Dave Warwick.

This programme will be bigger than Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and The Weakest Link put together

Dave Warwick

The show would be a "major smash" across the Atlantic, Mr Warwick predicted, more than rivalling established TV hits like Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.

The programme's creator, Stephen Leahy, said the idea fitted Mr Burrell "like a glove".

Details of the project emerged as the Mirror newspaper began publishing Mr Burrell's story, which it is understood to have bought for �300,000.

Mr Leahy said it was too soon to say how much the former butler may earn from What the Butler Saw.

He said the show would feature four contestants competing for a prize worth about �75,000.

Plans for the programme were revealed just days after the former butler was acquitted of stealing from Diana's estate, the Prince of Wales and Prince William.

Mr Leahy, chairman of TV firm Ludus Entertainment and one of the co-creators of The Krypton Factor, will begin talks with studio bosses in Los Angeles next week.

"Over there we are calling it Paul Burrell's What The Butler Saw because he is so well known," he said.

Show's concept

He said the idea for a social history quiz show had come first.

"We were looking at newspaper stories, social history, scandal and the royals - something different to the usual quiz questions.

"That seemed the perfect vehicle for Paul and his acquittal made him the perfect host."

Mr Leahy added that it was "a done deal" and the programme would be pitched to TV companies across the English-speaking world.