Cheryl Cole, 27, is believed to have been fired from X-Factor before the show has even hit TV screens. They started filming only two weeks ago but it’s rumored that she will be replaced as a judge by Nicole Scherzinger, who was set to be a co-host on the series with Steve Jones. Cole was allegedly dropped from the judging panel because producers were concerned her Geordie accent would be too difficult for an American audience to understand. Makes sense but shouldn’t they have considered her accent before hiring her?? Fellas check the pic below.
MDLS – She was also said to ‘lack chemistry’ with fellow judge Paula Abdul, according to TMZ. And Fox are said to be ‘not too thrilled’ with the overall chemistry between the four judges. A source told Usmagazine.com: ‘She isn’t on the show anymore. Everyone is gobsmacked. This came out of nowhere.
‘She had already been tested countless times. Simon had nothing to do with it. This is the network’s doing.’ There were suggestions last night that TV executives now want Cole to return to the British version of the show.
However, Cole is said to be ‘royally p****d off’ about how the situation has been handled and is considering severing all ties with the show.
According to The Sun, Cole had been unsure about her future Stateside because she was too homesick to relocate to Los Angeles. A source told the newspaper: ‘It hasn’t worked out. She’s homesick and wants to return to the UK. ‘She’s had enough. Whether she ends up back on UK X Factor is open to speculation.’
Cole has not been seen since the reports first emerged, but is believed to be hiding out at her home in north London. Scherzinger, 32, the girlfriend of Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton has already stepped in for Cole on the British version of the show when Cheryl fell ill with malaria last year.
And there was no shortage of chemistry for the former Pussycat Doll with judges Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh. She will now join Simon Cowell, record boss LA Reid and Miss Abdul on the panel.
Dannii Minogue, who joined Cole on the panel for the last series of the show, tweeted her support for the star today: ‘Judging roles should come with a life jacket, drop down oxygen and a life raft!’ Minogue announced earlier this month she would not be returning for the new series of the British show.
And, appearing on Daybreak this morning, Russell Brand also expressed his disbelief at the news.
He said: ‘Our Cheryl? That cannae be right! Our Cheryl, kicked off X Factor? What the American one? And I’ve come to this country in good faith and they’ve kicked Cheryl off, our Cheryl? Oh no! She’s Britain’s sweetheart.
When he was told it was apparently due to Cheryl’s accent, Brand replied: ‘Is that what they don’t understand – the accent?
‘Just listen more, just listen very intently. All them things she’s saying – that’s English.’
Meanwhile, Julien McDonald spoke at the Lorraine High Street Fashion Awards 2011 this morning, saying he thinks the reports are a way of getting more press attention for Cole.
He said: ‘Well I was speaking to Cheryl a few days ago, and when I spoke to her from America she was really happy, she was having the time of her life.
‘So I think it’s a bit of a ‘media blah’ to get press for the X Factor… We love Cheryl Cole, she loves the High Street, she loves designer clothes, she mixes it up well, and I think she’s a fantastic ambassador for British fashion.’
X Factor USA is not due to hit TV screens until September, but the judges have already been auditioning hopefuls in New York and Chicago
Cole has previously admitted to having doubts about the move and said she was daunted by the ‘really scary’ prospect of breaking America.
She told Radio One DJ Fearne Cotton last year: ‘It’s kind of really scary, you know? Why would they give a beep what I thought?
‘I think I always feel like that. They don’t know me out there and I’ve got this weird accent and they’d be a bit like, “what?â€.’
A spokesman for the show has declined to comment on Cole’s position.
But if her axing is confirmed, it will be a very public humiliation for the star. After months of speculation, she was finally confirmed as a judge on May 5.
And with Cowell’s support, she secured a £1.2million contract. But producers included a get-out clause so they could drop her after the first series if she failed to win over viewers.
Cowell said at the time: ‘I’m thrilled for Cheryl. She is massively excited about this show.’
Cole added: ‘I’m so excited to be taking part in the American version of The X Factor.
‘I absolutely love it here in the UK and with the talent they have out in America, I’m sure we’re going to find someone very special. I can’t wait to get started.
Cole is also said to have viewed the high profile that the judging role would give her as the perfect stepping stone to launch her solo pop career in the U.S.
She had even hinted she was considering making the U.S. her permanent home following her very public divorce from footballer Ashley Cole last year.
When asked if she was considering buying a home in Los Angeles she told the MailOnline last month: ‘Watch this space.’
