Get those thumbs aloft because Paul McCartney, the only man to have ever bonded with Gary Barlow over sweetcorn, has confirmed reports that he is in talks to appear on this year's X Factor.

The OAPeatle is rumoured to be performing in this year's final, with the show's remaining contestants also being given songs by The Beatles. That's a shame as he did some great records outside the Fabs too.*

McCartney told The Sun: "It's something we are talking about. Dermot [O'Leary] is a lovely man who I know very well. He's full of energy and keen for me to do it.

"We're seeing if we can make it work. I've been watching on and off with my family. Sometimes it throws up someone brilliant like Leona Lewis. Other years have not been so good."

Regarding the recently-eliminated John & Edward, he added: "It's impossible not to like them.

"They're a great couple of lads. But let's be honest, they were never going to last much longer in the show. They had to go."

* If you must know, I'm referring mainly to 'Maybe I'm Amazed' and 'Jet'... along with a whole bunch of other songs that probably aren't as well known like 'Junk'.