Rapper Will.i.am is poised to sign X Factor contestant Cher Lloyd to his record label as her popularity wanes on the talent show.

The Black eyed Peas singer and best friend of Lloyd’s mentor, Cheryl Cole, said he would also like to do a duet with Lloyd, a rapper/singer, regardless of the bad press she had been receiving.

“I really liked that girl Cher,” he declared.

After helping pick her for the live shows at cole’s judges’ home, the rapper revealed: “I would sign her – tomorrow, today, yesterday. I wanted to sign her as I left the house”.

The US hit-maker told X Magazine of his grand ideas for Lloyd, 17, who he said risked ended up being “too bubblegum” if left in the wrong musical hands.

“I’d make edgy hip-hop with a bit of pop and electro thrown in. It would have to have los of attitude but be melodic at the same time.

“Cher’s like a ball of energy and I don’t think she knows what do do with it,” he said.

The 35-year-old singer revealed Lloyd’s sheer talent left him in a fit of excited giggles.

“When I first saw her, I started giggling. I couldn’t help myself,” he said.

“I was laughing because her talent is such a no-brainer. Cheryl was like, ‘What’s wrong?’ and I was like, ‘I’m laughing because she’s so awesome!’ I think she’s going to do something great.”

Lloyd landed in the bottom two contestants on Sunday after a lacklustre performance of John Lennon’s Imagine.