Ka-Ching-zinger's in the money - but Louis 'turns down' pay rise

Nicole Scherzinger is set to double her money for an 'X Factor' return.

The former Pussycat Doll is ready to sign a deal worth £1.5m (€1.7m) for her second series on the judging panel of the TV singing show.

An insider told the Sunday People newspaper: "Simon [Cowell] knows how brilliant Nicole was last year and has to pay what she and her team feel she's worth."

It has also been reported Louis Walsh has signed a new contract to return for his tenth series, but the 60-year-old star has refused to accept a pay rise on his old £1m deal.

It is said the reasons behind him not wanting a raise comes from his sympathy for many viewers' "economic troubles".

A source revealed to The Sun on Sunday newspaper: "Louis is mindful of economic troubles, particularly in his native Ireland where the property market has crashed, so he didn't think it was right to ask for a pay rise.

"A £1m deal is plenty for anyone and he's just happy to have his place back on the panel".

News on the two judges comes after recent reports Sharon Osbourne has agreed to an offer worth £1.8m including a £1.5m and £300,000 of first class flights between Los Angeles and the UK.