Simon Cowell is close to securing the rights to give Saturday Nigh Fever the X Factor by remakig it with High School Musical star Zac Efron.

Cowell has been negotiating with producer Robert Stigwood, who owns the rights to the film.

Simon has already indicated to Stigwood that Zac Efron is in line for the lead role of Tony Manero.

The Sun reported a source as saying:

"Simon has been looking into buying the rights for years and opened discussions with Robert about the remake. The charm offensive has been in full swing and they made a breakthrough over the last couple of weeks.

Robert was keen to get some assurances the original wouldn't be completely butchered before he agreed to the deal. Simon has been drawing up a list of people he wants to get involved. When that meets Robert's expectations, the contracts will be signed."

For some inexplicable reason, Timbaland is being lined up to remix the original album (which was far better the film ever was) which will be an absolute disaster won't it? Why mess with the 'Gees?

And yes, incase you were wondering - the headline to this story is the worst one in the history of the world. If this is an indication of how the day is going to pan out, we're all in trouble.