Britain's Got Talent: Simon Cowell wants Jonathan Antoine to be the next Susan Boyle

By Graham Allchurch

Britain's Got Talent chief Simon Cowell wants opera singer Jonathan Antoine to be the next Susan Boyle, by taking the US by storm.

The shy 17-year-old and his singing partner Charlotte Jaconelli - known collectively as Jonathan and Charlotte - are hot favourites to win the talent contest in the live final tonight.

According to reports in the Sun, no matter what the result, Cowell will set up a global recording contract for the pair on the US Columbia Records label and on his own UK Syco label.

The news source stated that studio time has already been booked for two week's time, with Cowell hoping to get an album out in time for Christmas.

A source told the paper:  "Simon knows they will sell a huge number of records. They could even go on to beat Susan Boyle - and she’s sold millions."

Cowell is thought to be extremely excited about the prospect of signing the pair - in particular because of Antoine's impressive singing talents.

Other acts in tonight's final include Only Boys Aloud, Ashleigh and Pudsey and Molly Rainford.