Cheryl To 'Rejoin US X Factor As Judge'

Cheryl Cole will be a judge on American X Factor if Simon Cowell "has his way", the music mogul's spokesman has told Sky News.

The Girls Aloud singer's role on the US version of the talent show was thrown into doubt this week after reports she had been axed.

But Simon Cowell has reportedly intervened after being criticised for allowing her to be replaced after just four auditions.

Former Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger was due to step in as the fourth judge on the panel, alongside Paula Abdul, LA Reid and Cowell.

But it is claimed she will now return to her original role as co-presenter alongside Welsh host Steve Jones, paving the way for Cole's return.

Cowell's publicist Max Clifford said the Syco chief had wanted her on the panel "from the start" and that he is in discussions with the producers across the Atlantic.

But he added that Cowell does not have the final say.

The PR guru added: "If he has his way, she will be on the show," he said.

"But, he's an important part of a very important team, so obviously there are other people with very strong views, as in Fox Television, as in Fremantle, and that's what's being discussed at the moment."

Cole, 27, was reportedly dropped because auditionees were having problems understanding her Geordie accent and did not know who she was.

But after a public outcry in the UK over the way she appeared to have been treated, it seems Cowell may have wooed her back.

According to reports, Cole could take her place alongside the other judges as early as this week, when the auditions start again in New Jersey on Wednesday.

The Sunday Mirror quotes a source close to Cowell as saying: "We have offered Cheryl a second chance and she might still come back to US X Factor.

"Fox have been re-examining the situation and have had a change of heart.

"After the debacle with the UK judging panel we have started negotiating with Cheryl's camp and the ball is now in her court."