LOS ANGELES — In the U.S. television battle of the British pop stars, Cheryl Cole is out of Fox’s The X Factor and Nicole Scherzinger will replace her as judge on the Fox singing contest.
After a swirl of rumours that Cole would be dropped, Fox and X Factor producers confirmed the switch Monday that moves Scherzinger from co-host to judge of the show created by Simon Cowell.
Previously announced co-host Steve Jones, a popular British TV personality, will be the sole host when the show debuts this fall, Fox and X Factor producers FremantleMedia North America and Syco Television said Monday.
Their brief joint statement offered no details. Reports had circulated that Cole lacked chemistry with the other panelists, including former American Idol judge Paula Abdul, and appeared uncomfortable in the U.S. format that has been taping early episodes. Other judges include Cowell and Antonio “L.A.” Reid.
Cole was a judge on the original British X Factor and Cowell reportedly had tried to keep her on the U.S. version. It’s unknown if Cole, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment, will remain with the top-rated U.K. show.
Scherzinger, last year’ Dancing With the Starschamp, is a former member of the pop group Pussycat Dolls and has appeared on the British The X Factor, while Cole found fame with the pop group Girls Aloud.