Speaking to CNN, music mogul Simon Cowell says that he and X Factor producers were considering hiring Whitney Houston to join the show’s panel of judges.

PICTURES: Whitney Houston Through The Years

Cowell revealed that he planned to speak with executives later this week about replacements for Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger, and said that Houston was “definitely” a name he planned on bringing up during meetings.

“This is horrible, horrible news,” Simon tells Piers Morgan. “She was a troubled lady, I don’t know if we’re going to find another one like her again. I’m just terribly sad,” he adds.

PICTURES: Whitney Houston Parties In Hollywood

Houston, one of the most iconic singers of our time, passed away on Saturday evening at the age of 48.