Tulisa: Nicole is 'too nice'

Nicole Scherzinger is being urged to "toughen up" on the judging panel of 'The X Factor'.

The former Pussycat Dolls singer became the fourth permanent judge on the ITV1 talent show earlier this year and while she has gelled with everyone, fellow judge Tulisa Contostavlos wants her to stop being so nice to the contestants.

She told The Sun newspaper: "Nicole's wicked. Everyone keeps asking me, 'Can you expect any brawls this year or drama?' But Nicole is too nice. It will never happen. I even tell her, 'Come on Nicole, be a meanie, toughen up!' But that's just who she is. She's a lovely, girl-next-door, down-to-earth person who is extremely talented. And she knows her stuff.

"I doubt you'll see any brawls from us this year."

Nicole joined the panel after being axed from the US version by boss Simon Cowell and will also sit alongside Gary Barlow and Louis Walsh.

Last year, Tulisa clashed with ex-panellist Kelly Rowland after the 'Young' singer criticised her act Mischa B, accusing her of bullying the other contestants.