Gary Barlow To Duet With Christopher Maloney For The X Factor UK Live Final?

30 November 2012, 12:12 | Updated: 30 November 2012, 12:46

The show's producers are said to be struggling to come up with a big name duet partner for the act.

Take That star Gary Barlow is reportedly set to duet with Christopher Maloney, his last remaining act on The X Factor UK, if the Liverpudlian makes it to the show's live final this month.

According to new reports, the show's producers have struggled to find any credible artist willing to duet with the heavily criticised contestant, as is tradition with the show's live final event, and 'Love Love' singer Gary has been lined up to perform with his act instead.

"Christopher has never been in the bottom two before and boxes are working on the likelihood that he will be in the final, and this has caused a real headache for the," a source revealed to The Sun this week. 'In the past, the acts who have reached the final have had some sort of star quality or credibility which has attracted big-name talent wanting to perform with them.

"But unfortunately that is just not the case with Christopher," they explained. "He has got a good voice, but it is fair to say he is probably the uncoolest singer to have ever got this far, so producers have lined up Gary to sing with him instead.

"Of course Gary is a massive star with hits including 'Could It Be Magic' and Christopher will still be thrilled to sing with his mentor," the source added.

Check out a picture of Gary Barlow performing at the Royal Albert Hall on his UK solo tour below (Credit: Getty):

Previous big name artist to perform with the final contestants on The X Factor include the likes of Beyonce, Robbie Williams, Rihanna and Christina Aguilera, although the duet partners for this years crop of contestants have been kept tightly under wraps.

This week Gary Barlow announced plans to head back into the recording studio in early 2013 to record a new album with his bandmates in Take That, as well as casting doubt on whether he will return for a third series of The X Factor UK.