US will love Cheryl, says Cowell

Simon Cowell says he thinks American viewers will take Cheryl Cole to their hearts on US X Factor – and said TV bosses have been “desperate” to sign her.

Although the deal is yet to be finalised, Cowell said he wanted her on the panel along with Paula Abdul.

The selection procedure has been dragging on for months with only Cowell and former record boss LA Reid so far confirmed for the panel.

But in a new interview, Cowell again gave his backing to singer Cole and said he had a “hunch” she would be a big hit in the US.

“This girl is special. She’s just got a great ability to communicate,” he told the Deadline entertainment website.

“She’s a great judge. She’s smart. It’s just a hunch. If people take to her like the British public did, I think she’s going to do really well in America. And (TV network) Fox was desperate to hire her.”

He countered suggestions that US TV bosses have been reluctant to take on the Girls Aloud star, who is virtually unknown across the Atlantic.

Cowell said he showed a video clip of Cole to Fox executives two years ago and they were instantly impressed.

“They absolutely fell in love with her. In a way, the deal (to produce a US version of X Factor), it was almost conditional on Cheryl having the gig. They were desperate for her.”

Cowell likened the process of refining the judging panel to “casting a dinner party”.

“You’ve got to have people on the panel you get on well with,” he said.

ITV confirmed last week that Cowell would not have a weekly judging role when the UK version of the show returns in August, due to his other commitments. The first series of X Factor in the US is due to begin in September.