X Factor judge Simon Cowell has said he wants to run a series of "prime time" TV debates on key political issues ahead of the next general election.

He told BBC Two's Newsnight he wanted to put on a show where audiences could vote on political issues.

Mr Cowell said there would be a red telephone to allow politicians to ring in to state their case.

Watch the full interview on Newsnight on Monday 14 December 2009 at 10.30pm on BBC Two, then afterwards on the Newsnight website.