Cheryl may have the X Factor after all

CHERYL COLE may be on the point of a return to the US version of popular talent contest The X Factor.

The British singer was unveiled as a judge on the new show alongside Simon Cowell, LA Reid and Paula Abdul.

However, TV executives became concerned she was not the right choice after contestants struggled to understand her accent and she and Paula failed to show much chemistry.

Cheryl was eventually let go, with Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger, who had been lined up as the programme’s presenter, taking her place.

It was thought Cheryl would return to the British version of the series, but its judging panel is already full, with veteran Louis Walsh being joined by Take That’s Gary Barlow, Tulisa Contostavlos from N-Dubz and Kelly Rowland of Destiny’s Child. It has now been claimed that Simon has been fighting to get her back on the US show.

“We have offered Cheryl a second chance and she might still come back to US X Factor,” a source close to Cowell told British newspaper The Sunday Mirror. “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.”

Auditions for the US show are due to take place in New Jersey this week, so Cheryl might be back in time for them.

It has been claimed the decision might be in part down to money. She is rumoured to have agreed a $1.5 million (€1m) fee for the US programme, but her contract means she will receive the cash even if she does not appear.

Last week, her US manager will.i.am insisted she was doing well despite the recent setback.

“Cheryl always comes back stronger, and she always comes back bigger,” he said. “Cheryl has been through rougher things than this, so this is going to be no problem for her.”