More talk that both Cheryl Cole and Simon Cowell will be returning to the X Factor UK judges panel next year. via The Daily Mail
Cheryl Cole is expected to return to The X Factor next year in a dramatic U-turn, insiders have revealed to The Mail on Sunday.
Show boss Simon Cowell sparked fresh speculation about Cole’s reappearance in a radio interview last week by saying he would like to work with her again.
Cowell is also likely to be back on the panel after three years of working on The X Factor USA.
Cole’s return is confirmation that the pair have patched up their friendship after a bitter public fall-out in 2011, when she was axed from X Factor USA after just a few days.
This year’s series fell behind Strictly Come Dancing in the ratings. With Simon making noises that IF the US version comes back next year (it hasn’t been renewed by FOX yet. Low ratings could lead to a cancellation) it could be in a role other than as a judge, it appears that he’s planning a return to the UK show next fall.
Sharon Osbourne and Gary Barlow have announced their departures, so those seats definitely need to be filled. Nicole Scherzinger may also step down to concentrate on her music career.
A source told The Daily Mail, “The contracts for the show will be drawn up and negotiated in March, but the plan is very much to bring back Cheryl. Simon and Cheryl had fantastic on-screen chemistry. It makes perfect sense to put them back together on-screen, and everyone involved is very excited by the prospect.”
