The 30-year-old, who won the first series of the US talent show back in 2002, told Us Weekly that the country singer, who triumphed in the fourth season, would be a perfect replacement following Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler’s recent departures:

"Didn't she major in journalism or something? And she can have that face... that bluff face! She can put that on! She would be good."

The ‘Since You’ve Been Gone’ star, who’s currently acting as a mentor on ABC show Duets, went on to rule herself out of the frame for the job:

"I don't want to be a judge. Mentor is more my style.

"And not just mentoring, getting to be a part of the song with them, getting them amped up - from our rehearsals to stage, it's so exciting being onstage. It's fun!"