Stateside: Cheryl Cole is expected to join the panel alongside Cowell and L.A. Reid with Paula Abdul hotly-tipped to be the fourth judgeIt is a subject as hotly speculated as the designer of Kate Middleton’s dress
But Cheryl Cole is finally set to sign her £3million deal to star on the U.S. X Factor – and will quit the UK show to concentrate on breaking her career in the States.
The news comes just a day after the Daily Mail told how Simon Cowell will not appear as a judge on the UK version this year, instead planning to make a few appearances.
It was multi-millionaire Cowell, 51, who seemingly broke the news of Mrs Cole’s contract yesterday, which was also echoed by American showbiz industry bible Variety magazine.
Dream come true: Cheryl's hopes were initially put on ice after feedback from focus groups on the Girls Aloud singer were negativeSpeaking from London via video link on Fox breakfast show Good Day LA, he was asked by the presenter if Mrs Cole would be joining him in one of the hot seats, to which he replied with a firm 'yes'.
However, perhaps realising his faux-pas, the music mogul then seemed to quickly backtrack on his statement, explaining that the panel had not actually been decided yet. He went on to even try to blame a delay in video link for his incorrect response.
New look: Executives at Cheryl's record company Polydor are already working on a dramatic make-over to help her break AmericaThe Mail told in December how Mrs Cole, 27, had been told that she had won a judging role on the U.S. X Factor, which will launch in September – after American TV executives flew over to watch her on the UK show.
However, her dreams were put on ice after Fox TV chiefs held focus groups, where potential X Factor viewers were shown footage of the Girls Aloud singer. The resulting feedback was not good, although Mrs Cole continued to be backed by Cowell and senior Fox bosses.
But yesterday, Variety magazine reported that the petite brunette’s contract is currently being drawn up and that her announcement as the third judge on the television talent show will swiftly follow.
source: dailymail