Simon Cowell Hints At Two More 'X Factor' Candidates For Season 2

Give Simon Cowell this: the man knows how to dangle a carrot and get people drooling.

The chatter has been endless since the ouster of "The X Factor" judges Nicole Scherzinger and Paula Abdul speculating who would fill the two vacant chairs at the judges' table alongside acclaimed record mogul Antonio "L.A." Reid and "X Factor" creator and executive producer Simon Cowell. It seems Cowell told "Good Day New York" recently that two names he's playing close to his vest recently joined a lengthy rumored-candidate roll call.

Cowell wouldn't even confirm nor deny the scuttlebutt that Britney Spears recently had a $10-million offer laid at her feet to co-judge the FOX hit's sophomore season.

"The truth is that we are talking to a number of people," Cowell clarified. "It changes on a daily basis. You think you've got your mind made up . . . Last night two other people threw their names in the hat, one a very famous singer and one a very famous actress."

The list fluctuates, but it's also narrowed considerably from its original breadth.

Up until her untimely Feb. 11 death, Whitney Houston had been in talks about filling a seat. Cowell himself dismissed Mariah Carey and Beyonce Knowles as having schedules too limited by recent entries into motherhood, and Madonna as "expensive." Katy Perry, Janet Jackson and Nicki Minaj have all had their times tossed about in conversation as well, but Cowell has not yet confirmed anything.

His "Good Day New York" interview did make one thing clear - at least, as far as Cowell claims: "[Scherzinger and Abdul] weren't fired. They just weren't invited back."

And host Steve Jones, who was also relieved of his duties?

"Too many Brits on the show . . . One Brit allowed."

For more from Cowell, check out the interview clip here.