Paul McCartney wanted by Cowell

Simon Cowell wants Sir Paul McCartney to appear on his charity single for Haiti and join an all-star line-up which already includes Leona Lewis, Cheryl Cole and Rod Stewart.

Sir Paul McCartney is being targeted by Simon Cowell to appear on his Haiti charity single.

The music mogul announced on Wednesday (20.01.10) he is assembling an all-star cast to record a song to aid the victims of the earthquakes on the Caribbean island and has been busy making calls to the biggest names in music.

Simon has so far signed up Leona Lewis, Cheryl Cole, Rod Stewart, Michael Buble and JLS and has reportedly approached former Beatle Paul, Robbie Williams, Sir Elton John, George Michael, Lady Gaga and Take That to lend their talents to the project.

The single will be a cover version of REM's ballad 'Everybody Hurts'.

Leona said: "You can definitely count me in. What happened in Haiti is absolutely heartbreaking."

The single is particularly poignant for 'Beat Again' singers JLS, because band member Oritse Williams has family members living in Haiti.

REM - who first released the track in 1993 - are "touched" their song is being used and have vowed to relinquish their royalty payments from the charity song.

"It means a lot that the song the guys wrote all those years ago will be used for such an important appeal."

Simon plans to release the song next Sunday (31.01.10) and is trying to finalise the line-up as quickly as possible.

Florence and the Machine are also keen to contribute, and will donate all proceeds from a concert in Australia next week to the cause. Lead singer Florence Welch is also keen to record vocals on 'Everybody Hurts' - if timing permits.

Simon has praised the "response" from the music community.

He said: "We have a short time to do this and the people in Haiti need as much help as we can give them as soon as possible.

"I'd like to make this record with as many different types of singer as we can and I hope everyone in the industry comes together to get involved. The initial response has been fantastic."