It’s been a real topsy turvy season on the judge’s table this year, on The X Factor. As ratings have struggled to keep up with Saturday night rival Strictly, the bosses have had to make some sweeping changes.
First, they changed the format of the live shows, putting the fates of the contestants entirely in the hands of the public – rendering the judges more or less irrelevant, except for doling out advice.
Then, Simon Cowell was critically injured after falling down the stairs at his home, forcing him into hospital in a neck brace – and out of the first round of live shows.
And now, it looks like there’ll be even more changes afoot as it’s reported that Nicole Scherzinger – a judge since 2012 – wants out of the show at the end of the series.
And her likely replacement? None other than Cheryl herself! She made a return to the show last month when she was Simon Cowell’s celebrity mentor at the judge’s houses section of the programme.
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And she was a smash hit with viewers, with her easy banter with Simon a real highlight – particularly giving as good as she got after Simon mocked her son’s name (Well, if you will call him Bear…)
And as it’s looking likely Nicole will depart for next series, ITV bosses are eyeing Cheryl up for a permanent return – she was a judge for three years from 2008, leaving to try her hand on the American version of the programme which didn’t go well.
It’s been reported that ITV are going to pay Cheryl a whopping £1.5 million to take up a seat alongside Simon, Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne.
An insider told the Sun: “It looks like Cheryl will be back next year. Simon knows Nicole is likely to leave and he wants a big name, and some much-needed glamour on the panel.
“He knows he will get that with Cheryl and she would be a really popular signing and a huge hit. Simon has had his own problems lately but has been really keen to get the deal nailed down.”
The source added: “He is a huge fan of hers and has been turning on the charm to ensure she comes back. They have had several meetings about it and Simon has had his top people on the case to make sure it is all sorted.”
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We’d love to see Cheryl back! Let’s not forget, she was the mentor behind show-winning Alexandra Burke, who’s gone on to have a fantastic career on stage and in the recording booth.
With her track record, she’s got a real talent for unearthing gems she knows will have great appeal across a lot of different audiences and we think it’d be terrific to have her back – although we’ll be sad to see sassy Nicole depart, if she does!