British national treasure back on the X Factor!
Head judge Gary Barlow has pulled off a successful secret plan behind Simon’s back that will bring Cheryl Cole back to the X Factor.
The 29-year-old Geordie will return to the ITV1 show as a mentor for the Take That star’s acts at the judges’ houses stage.
Gary, 41, wanted the news kept quiet as to not annoy or anger Cowell, who Cole famously fell out with after he axed her from his US version of the show.
The plans were so cloak and dagger that Barlow went to the extent of making people believe that Robbie Williams would be he surprise mentor.
An X Factor source told The Sun newspaper: ‘Only Gary’s intimate inner circle know. He hasn’t even discussed it with Simon or ITV bosses. It’s been seriously top secret stuff.
‘They’re all under the impression it’s going to be Robbie. No one even noticed the dates for the recording clashed with Robbie’s new solo tour.’
Gary apparently got Cheryl to agree to the show as the two stars relaxed over a drink following their duet at the Buckingham Palace concert he organised in June for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
Gary Barlow is mentoring the Overs this year.
Soulful star Ne-Yo will help out Nicole Scherzinger and the Boys during her stop in Dubai, and Tinie Tempah will team up with Tulisa and the Girls in the Caribbean.
Louis Walsh, who is mentoring the Bands, will be joined by ex-judge Sharon Osbourne in Las Vegas.
Source: The Daily Mail
