X Factor appeals to Olympic medallists

She said she would “definitely” like to appear after it emerged show bosses had been sounding out Team GB stars.

However, she and other medal-winners said yesterday they had yet to be formally approached about appearances on the show which took a ratings hit when its latest run began on Saturday.

The first programme attracted two million fewer viewers than the start of last year’s series.

Show bosses are reportedly keen to acknowledge the UK’s Olympic success during the series’ first live edition and are said to have approached double gold medallist Mo Farah.

Cyclists Sir Chris Hoy and Bradley Wiggins, together with heptathlete Ennis, are said to be among those whom producers want.

On Twitter, Sir Chris said: “Some amusing stories in press about me being a mentor on X-Factor. That’s the first I’ve heard about it.”

Men’s time trial gold medallist Wiggins was dismissive.

The Tour De France winner said: “Let’s not talk about the X Factor. Compared to the Olympics, everywhere you went the country was on a high, and as athletes it was phenomenal to see that, then you see X Factor and it’s like, ‘Oh God, everyone’s got to put up with that all winter now’.”

However Ennis was more amenable, even though she too said she received no approaches.

She said: “I’m a massive fan of X Factor so we’ll see.” She added: “Obviously before the Olympics I was just training so hard and making sure that I didn’t miss anything so I had to turn a lot of things down and say no to things that I would loved to have done at the time.

“And now I can just relax now that I’ve got this medal and I can enjoy myself a bit now.”

A show source said the idea is for the medal heroes to give pep talks to contestants in the week leading up to the first live show, and they will also be invited to attend the heat.