Glucina: Paul Henry to join NZ X Factor

Paul Henry has set his sights on a judging role in the New Zealand version of X Factor. Photo / Doug Sherring

If boastfulness is the new modesty, then Paul Henry is right on trend. He knows he is MediaWorks' biggest asset, much to TVNZ's chagrin, and the company has big plans for him on radio, but the A-list star told me he's also set his sights on a variety of primetime TV projects he's keen to pursue once he's slipped his feet under the desk at RadioLive.

Henry, who winds up his national book tour this week, has eagerly put his hand up for a role as a judge on the New Zealand version of X Factor which will be produced in-house at TV3, like their hit series Top Model.

He said he has no interest in hosting the show. "I'd much rather have all the fun and no responsibility," he laughed.

The network's head of programming, Kelly Martin, said the local X Factor show is scheduled to screen next year - after the American version airs. "All the plans are in place and everything is on track with X Factor. We are very excited."

Henry is keen too to be a pivotal part of TV3's election coverage this year. He is also understood to be in talks with disgraced former Labour MP Darren Hughes about a tell-all TV interview on a special 60 Minutes episode about what really happened that night in Haitaitai.

The pair are great mates and insiders say Hughes is aware he must front up to the media now the police report has come out and will feel most comfortable with Henry. That is bound to be a ratings winner.

Martin says plans are also in development for Henry's own eponymous television show. She is staying tight-lipped about the nature of the programme, but it's fair to say Henry would welcome going up against his old adversary Mark Sainsbury on TV One.

There's no love lost between them. That will undoubtedly be something TVNZ executives Anthony Flannery and Mike Valintine will dread. They know all too well in the battle for ratings Sainso would come off second best.

Ramsay's Kiwi lawsuit ramps ups

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, who is being sued by Kiwi events management company Duco Ltd for $2.1 million for failing to carry out scheduled dinners in New Zealand and using his mother's medical condition as an excuse, may be unable to attend the judicial settlement hearing set for July.

Ramsay filed his defence in the High Court at Auckland, but is understood to have other commitments at the time of next month's settlement hearing date. He has asked about mediation later in the year.

Duco's David Higgins is fed up with the situation and is prepared to go straight to trial if Ramsay won't make himself available to come here. A trial date is likely to be set for mid next year.

Papers filed with the court show that Duco agreed to pay Ramsay $99,000 for giving the main speech and taking questions at two charity dinners planned in Auckland and Wellington that were to take place this month. First-class flights and accommodation were also part of the deal.

The dinners were planned to raise money for medical treatment of Napier girl Matisse Reid, who suffers from an intestinal disorder meaning she cannot eat.

Lawyers for both sides held a teleconference with a judge to discuss the case in March.

Higgins won the financial backing of property magnate Sir Bob Jones who was prepared to take the case to the High Court in London.

Last week Ramsay was dousing more flames closer to home. His reality cooking show drew so few people to the auditions in Los Angeles, producers for Fox's MasterChef embarrassingly resorted to enhancing the crowd scene in post production and replicating groups of people to make the show look like it had been more popular.