George Michael “The X Factor America” Judging Offer

George Michael is being considered for judge’s chair on Simon Cowell’s American adaptation of The X Factor, but the Wham! singer’s checkered past with the law — including a recent jail stint for drunk driving — could put the deal in jeopardy.

Cowell has already tapped Pussycat Dolls frontwoman Nicole Scherzinger and British sweetheart Cheryl Cole for spots on the panel, but he’s eager to help the “Careless Whisper” singer revive his lagging career, if new reports out of the UK are to be believed. A source close to the music mogul claims Simon presented George, 47, with an X Factor job offer last month. Simon deemed George ideal for the program because of his high profile in both the States and Britain, insiders-in-the-know divulged to The Daily Star.

“Simon has always been a huge fan of George’s. His knowledge of the music industry is immense and he would be the perfect mentor for any up-and-coming artist.”

The difficulty could come in landing a work visa for George. US law mandates that all previous convictions must be disclosed on visa application forms and George has had no less than three alcohol-related arrests in the past decade. He even briefly entered rehab last summer. Scraps with the law left fellow Brits Boy George and Amy Winehouse shut out of the States in 2008.

The US X Factor lineup is expected to be unveiled in January.